Monarch Butterfly Grove
Monarch Butterfly Grove
4.5
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,062 reviews
Excellent
671
Very good
279
Average
88
Poor
17
Terrible
7

Climber813233
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
What a magical place this is- it’s really something to be able to see thousands of monarch butterflies as they cluster together to stay warm. A few pieces of advice:

- bring binoculars so you can zoom in closely
- arrive before 11 for parking. We got there around 9 and stayed a few hours. People were lining up in cars to get in when we left
- breathe deeply to get the scent of the eucalyptus groves
- check out the count on the white board!
Written 27 December 2023
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.

Muzzysgirl
Garden Grove, CA84 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
We went there on Mon.Nov.20,2023. Very pretty area. Nice to see the butterflies flying all around. It was peaceful. The parking was alongside the road,both sides.
Written 23 November 2023
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.

AppMyHome
El Dorado Hills, CA494 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
This was a nice surprise. We walked here from our hotel in Pismo, it was a pleasant walk near the ocean. At first you don't notice the Monarchs, until you stand still and see them in the trees. It was a quick visit but nice to see the beautiful butterflies and learn more about their migration journey. I guess they are mostly there November - March, but we did see lots in mid-October.
Written 19 October 2023
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.

David H
Tracy, CA231 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
Happened to be down in Pismo Beach in early October and on a whim, brought my family, including three kids.

The weather was perfect for a nice stroll outside through the grove. Like others have said, its not a HUGE habitat, but it’s not exactly small either. In early October we we’re definitely able to see plenty of Monarchs floating around without having to look hard. They flew about normally as if we weren’t even there, so that was nice. My kids enjoyed it, ages 9, 7, and 4.

I will say there is street parking on a fairly busy roadway, so you’ll need to cross a road with no crosswalks. If you have kids, keep them close as you cross.

Also, you can access Pismo State beach by going through the grove, although with the tides and such, I doubt the pathway to the water will be the same all the time.

Nonetheless, a great little spot to visit for a quick break!
Written 12 October 2023
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.

Lupe J
1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
I would definitely go again; we didn't know the right time of year and the butterflies had.
left on their journey, apparently the good time to go is October through Feb.
Written 23 March 2023
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.

berricks
Boulder, CO251 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
You would think this is some secluded grove of trees but you'd be wrong. It's a small bunch of trees sandwiched between a mobile home park a highway and the railroad. After seeing the butterflies I wish the habitat could be expanded and protected a bit more as it seems very important to this species.

It was actually pretty spectacular to see the swarms of monarch butterflies hanging from the trees and fluttering around.
Written 5 March 2023
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.

Zaena F
Colorado Springs, Colorado6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Couples
February is one of the best times of the year to visit the Monarchs during their migration! They are magnificent!!!!!!!
Written 21 February 2023
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 K S
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Couples
After several years of worrisome low numbers of butterflies, the grove is again filled with beautiful specimens flying all around! When the park people have scopes set up it’s awesome. It’s not a long visit - 15 minutes is fine if you don’t have binoculars. But walk through the grove and back to the unspoiled beach, then come back through the grove again. It’s a wonderful way to spend a few hours. These butterflies are beautiful and magical and it’s all free. These groves, and there aren’t many in the US, give us an appreciation for these amazing species whose habitats are under siege. Come see it. Marvel at these little wonders of nature. There are thousands and thousands of them!! And they are beautiful. It’s truly amazing.
Written 9 February 2023
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.

sacbike
Elk Grove, CA42 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
The Monarch Grove experienced some downed trees due to the past storms. The butterflies weren't as plentiful as expected. Best time to see the butterflies is about 1pm. The butterflies need a warm temperature over 60 degrees to wake up and flutter around. The lighting changes constantly with the sun peeking through the trees. It was great to see and photograph these beautiful creatures. Look forward to seeing them again next time.
Written 29 January 2023
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.

worldwonder805
Ventura, CA864 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
We come here regularly to check out the butterflies. Good news this year. In Jan 2023, the count is already passing 10k. Hope to have a normal year !!

It is very nice to see the butterflies population come back up to normal after a couple of years of decline.

I’d suggest bringing binoculars when you visit - much clearer view of the butterflies. If you have SLR camera, don’t be lazy, bring them ! You won’t regret having a full power real camera :-)
Cell phone camera is not as good!
Written 28 January 2023
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.

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MONARCH BUTTERFLY GROVE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Monarch Butterfly Grove