Goleta Butterfly Grove
Goleta Butterfly Grove
4
About
Ellwood Mesa Open Space area (which includes the Goleta Butterfly Grove) and parking lot are currently closed due to impacts from the February 2024 storm. Many trees have fallen and there is the potential for more to fall. Thank you for your cooperation. Monarch butterflies migrate each year to the Goleta Butterfly Grove to find protection from freezing temperatures and winter storms. They can usually be seen here from mid-October through February. Monarch populations have varied greatly in recent years, from almost none in 2020-2021 to over 26,000 in 2023-2024. Eucalyptus trees in the grove have suffered greatly over the last decade from beetles, extended drought and winter storms. The City of Goleta is working to enhance the butterfly habitat, protect the public, and reduce the risk of fire. Visitor information and current monarch counts can be found at GoletaButterflyGrove.com.
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4.0
94 reviews
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55
Very good
21
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8
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5
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5
Sachin K
New York City, NY6,557 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
My family of 4 visited here in the 3rd week of February. The natural surroundings are spectacular with decent walkways. However saw only 2 butterflies in almost an hour that we spent here. Those visitors coming to see in butterflies in their natural surroundings may get disappointed. Nature lovers are likely to enjoy this place.
Written 7 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kuwells
Santa Barbara, CA595 contributions
Nov 2012 • Business
A really nice thing to see if you are there in the right time of year. The butterflies are amazing and so are the views (the beach, ocean, and Channel Islands).
Written 9 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyTrails12345
Santa Barbara, California105 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
I am a local and I have come here for many years. I always love coming to see the butterflies in this beautiful eucalyptus grove that smells so fresh. It's always possible to continue the adventure and walk out the bluffs to the beach, not very far away.
I notice that some reviewers here are disappointed that they didn't see many butterflies, or that the butterflies were all folded up with their wings closed. It's important to know when the butterflies are there, when they are most active, and also to realize that more butterflies are here in some years than in others.
The butterflies are here in the winter, from around November to February. They are most active when the weather is warmest. The best time to see them would be on a sunny, warm winter day, in the warm middle of the day, when you can see them drifting through the air through the grove of eucalyptus trees.
When the weather is cold, they gather onto the trees and fold up their wings to keep warm. If it's really cold, the butterflies will gather themselves into a ball about the size of a basketball hanging on the tree, to keep themselves warm. It can be hard to see them when they have their wings folded up, since then they are camouflaged to about the same color as the eucalyptus forest. It's only when they are flying around that you see that beautiful bright orange and black on the top side of their wings.
I've only been lucky enough to see it once, but if they have formed into balls and then the weather warms up to a certain degree, the balls of butterflies burst apart in a silent "explosion" of butterflies suddenly filling up the forest. What a beauty!
The butterflies here migrate back and forth between here and the Rocky Mountains. The butterflies that go to Michoacan, in Mexico, are the same kind of butterflies, but they migrate along a different route.
I learned this and many other fascinating things about the Monarchs, including how to tell the males and the females apart, from reading the informative signs at the entrance to the Monarch grove, entering from Coronado Drive.
The monarch grove is easy to find, about a 10-minute walk from where you park. To get there from Hollister Ave., turn towards the beach onto Coronado Drive, go almost to the end of the drive and park there. The entrance to the monarch grove is on the right side of the street - you will see signs. Just walk towards the beach - the butterflies are in the grove of eucalyptus trees that is visible from the place where you've parked.
There are other butterfly eucalyptus groves near here, too, with one a little further from Santa Barbara in a grove near the Bacara Resort. Other famous butterfly groves are up and down the California coast, notably at Pismo Beach and in the Monterey area.
I notice that some reviewers here are disappointed that they didn't see many butterflies, or that the butterflies were all folded up with their wings closed. It's important to know when the butterflies are there, when they are most active, and also to realize that more butterflies are here in some years than in others.
The butterflies are here in the winter, from around November to February. They are most active when the weather is warmest. The best time to see them would be on a sunny, warm winter day, in the warm middle of the day, when you can see them drifting through the air through the grove of eucalyptus trees.
When the weather is cold, they gather onto the trees and fold up their wings to keep warm. If it's really cold, the butterflies will gather themselves into a ball about the size of a basketball hanging on the tree, to keep themselves warm. It can be hard to see them when they have their wings folded up, since then they are camouflaged to about the same color as the eucalyptus forest. It's only when they are flying around that you see that beautiful bright orange and black on the top side of their wings.
I've only been lucky enough to see it once, but if they have formed into balls and then the weather warms up to a certain degree, the balls of butterflies burst apart in a silent "explosion" of butterflies suddenly filling up the forest. What a beauty!
The butterflies here migrate back and forth between here and the Rocky Mountains. The butterflies that go to Michoacan, in Mexico, are the same kind of butterflies, but they migrate along a different route.
I learned this and many other fascinating things about the Monarchs, including how to tell the males and the females apart, from reading the informative signs at the entrance to the Monarch grove, entering from Coronado Drive.
The monarch grove is easy to find, about a 10-minute walk from where you park. To get there from Hollister Ave., turn towards the beach onto Coronado Drive, go almost to the end of the drive and park there. The entrance to the monarch grove is on the right side of the street - you will see signs. Just walk towards the beach - the butterflies are in the grove of eucalyptus trees that is visible from the place where you've parked.
There are other butterfly eucalyptus groves near here, too, with one a little further from Santa Barbara in a grove near the Bacara Resort. Other famous butterfly groves are up and down the California coast, notably at Pismo Beach and in the Monterey area.
Written 13 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shahofla
Los Angeles, CA8 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
After years of hearing about the seasonal monarchs, I went mid-day for the short and easy (mostly flat) hike. The trail is dog friendly (on leash). It's about 1/2 mile to the grove from the parking lot. February appears to be a good time to go - I saw hundreds upon hundreds of butterflies. It's an incredibly magical spot to sit and watch them. This hike would be enjoyable even when the butterflies are off-season, but definitely worth a visit during this time of year. It looked like there were additional paths to extend your hike or just explore the woods as well. I drove north on the 101 and the exit and signs for the grove were very well marked and easy to follow. There is also an outhouse bathroom in the parking lot.
Written 3 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlvanloey
Edegem, Belgium449 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
We have seen a couple of small clusters, but they are located away from the grove...
We haven't found any in the Grove.
Where are they?
Park you car on the official parking.
Follow the indicated trail till you exit the first "forrest".
Don t follow the indications (guiding you to the left), but turn right.
Follow the trail, keep the villa's at you right hand side.
Where the villa s end, go about 25m right and turn left (downwards)
After another 25m you will spot some small clusters in the trees in front of you.
We haven't found any in the Grove.
Where are they?
Park you car on the official parking.
Follow the indicated trail till you exit the first "forrest".
Don t follow the indications (guiding you to the left), but turn right.
Follow the trail, keep the villa's at you right hand side.
Where the villa s end, go about 25m right and turn left (downwards)
After another 25m you will spot some small clusters in the trees in front of you.
Written 4 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review. You are correct, there have not been very many butterflies at the main aggregation site (which is where the signs point you to). The butterflies seem to be at the secondary sites this year and we may put out additional signage to help visitors find them.
Written 5 January 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vacalot
Shoreham, NY241 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
As we have been visiting friends in Thousand Oaks we planned a side trip to Santa Barbara. After my wife did some research she found that during the months of December and March Goleta was a home for migrating Monarch Butterflies. After a little confusion with various GPS's we were able to find their sanctuary. It was an exceptional day for a hike in January on this very pet friendly trail. My only recommendation would be is to place a Butterfly Grove sign further up Hollister Ave. when you get off 101. IMPORTANT FACT THE MONARCHS HIBERNATE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, DEC-MAR FOR BEST VIEWING .
Written 4 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy J
Goleta, CA92 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Park in the parking lot across from Ellwood elementary school and follow the well worn path through the eucalyptus grove then follow the signs to the main butterfly grove. The best time to visit is December through March. Thousands of Monarchs rest in huge clusters hanging from the trees. When the sun breaks through and it's warm enough the start to fly and it is magnificent. In winter the best time to see them fly is between 10am-2pm
Written 29 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mamaxs2
Santa Barbara, CA40 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
To see this amazing sight visit between December and early March. To see the most visit on a sunny day as they flit around more when it's warm. Park either at the lot across from the elementary school on Hollister and walk in or park on Coronado drive off Hollister and walk in from there. Both places have signs.
Written 3 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie C
Goleta, CA367 contributions
Jan 2012 • Family
Seeing the butterflies when they've migrated to Goleta is AMAZING. On a bright, sunny day, you can see hundreds of butterflies bursting in the eucalyptus trees. If you get a chance, come on the weekend when the docents are available to answer questions. Don't forget your camera!
Free parking is available at the Ellwood Mesa parking lot off Hollister Avenue and it's a little over a half mile walk from there to the grove. The butterflies are only generally there from November through February or March.
Check out the reviews on the Coronado Butterfly Preserve which are really describing the Goleta Butterfly Grove. The preserve is adjacent to the area where the butterflies migrate and have some interesting signs on the butterflies as well.
Free parking is available at the Ellwood Mesa parking lot off Hollister Avenue and it's a little over a half mile walk from there to the grove. The butterflies are only generally there from November through February or March.
Check out the reviews on the Coronado Butterfly Preserve which are really describing the Goleta Butterfly Grove. The preserve is adjacent to the area where the butterflies migrate and have some interesting signs on the butterflies as well.
Written 5 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yadira C
Los Angeles, CA105 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
This was a really cool place to go. There weren't as many butterfly's as we'd hoped. But there were a fair amount. There were a lot of kids around and I thought that their rambunctious nature would startle the monarch's but it wasn't the kids that made it difficult to enjoy the quiet, it was the adults, talking loudly. It's a descent walk with inclines and small pathways, so if you have problems walking this might not be the best option. But if you can make past the preserve and finish the walk to the beach it is an amazing view.
Written 17 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am planning to visit this grove and noticed their website indicate "The Ellwood Main Monarch Aggregation Site (aka Goleta Butterfly Grove) is closed indefinitely".
Can you tell me where is the right part of the grove that I might be able to see the butterflies? Thank you.
Written 2 February 2018
Get off 101 at Cathedral Oaks from the north, turn right to Hollister, turn left on Hollister about 1.3 miles to Coronado Dr. Turn Right on Coronado, go about .3 of a mile. On the right should be a trail up the slight hill to the signs describing the Preserve and a trail to follow through the eucalyptus trees. Look up and all around. Best time to go is between 11 and 2 PM when the sun is over head; warming the grove. Wear good shoes, no sandals. You can walk all the way to the bluffs over looking the Pacific. I have not been there in four years. It should not have changed much. Natural habitat.
Written 14 February 2018
I used to live on Elwood Beach Drive and loved this magical time of year. We will be visiting SB at the end of Feb 2017. Can you direct me to a website that has up to date information about the migration for this year. I would like to see the monarchs with my children but don't want to spend all day searching them out if they have already left for the year...any help appreciated, thanks!
Written 15 January 2017
The best way to find up to date information on the grove is to go to our website -- Goleta Butterfly Grove. There are very few butterflies at the main site this year. There are more at the Sandpiper site but this is not a site for which we have signage at this time.
Written 15 January 2017
We plan on being there December 24th.2016. Is there usually docents there on a holiday weekend? Also is that date still a bit early to see a lot of butterflies?
Written 19 December 2016
The docents are scheduled to be in the grove between 11am-2pm on Christmas Eve. No docents scheduled for Christmas Day. Hope you'll be able to visit. Even though we haven't seen a huge number of butterflies in the grove this season, it's still a great place to visit and nice walk.
Written 19 December 2016
Is now a good time to go (early November), or is the beginning of the year a better time? Also, is there a near by hotel? Thank you.
Written 9 November 2016
Cassandra - Thanks for your message. At this time we don't have a lot of butterflies in the grove so it would be better for you to wait 4-6 weeks to visit.
Not knowing which hotel you are staying at, I cannot provide information about how far away it is. If you'd like to message back, we'd be happy to answer.
Best regards,
Valerie
Written 9 November 2016
in december what's the temperature around at that place
Written 10 September 2016
With climate change, it can be about anything, but on the average, the days will be in 60s or 70s and the nights, 50s. We're hoping for rain--November to March used to be our rainy season--but that seems to have changed a lot. The last two years we've had a week of 80's in January!
If you're planning on visiting, think layers. Jeans work all seasons here. I wear a lot of t-shirts year-round and top them with a sweatshirt, hoodie, Bean or LandsEnd flannel shirt (not buttoned) or fleece pullovers, when the weather is cool. Evenings all year require some sort of wrap or jacket after the sun goes down. (It's ocean influence.) On a "cold" day, if I wear a jacket, I wear a shirt under it not the combo above. That would be too warm. Check the expected weather on-line just before you come.
Written 11 September 2016
sybilkmeyer
Bluffton, South Carolina
Hi - are there butterflies there now (mid-March, 2015)? thanks
Written 12 March 2015
I apologize. I thought this had been answered for you but it obviously didn't go through. The butterflies are gone and will be back around next November. We hope to see you then.
Written 30 March 2015
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