Monarch Butterfly Grove
Monarch Butterfly Grove
Monarch Butterfly Grove
4.5
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4.5
1,062 reviews
Excellent
671
Very good
279
Average
88
Poor
17
Terrible
7
Climber813233
5 contributions
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!
- 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
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
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
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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!
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.
Diane S
1 contribution
Are there any butterflies there in mid April?
worldwonder805
Ventura, CA864 contributions
Very few butterflies stay that late. Peak I’m Feb,
Gina W
Fresno, CA
What is the cost of admission?
Should I make a reservation for my family?
BerniceCJ
BerniceCJ1 contribution
Hi Karen. I was researching a trip from Ohio to California to see the Monarch butterflies in December 2021. During my research I discovered that the butterfly numbers dropped so low last year that they fear extinction for the sub species of butterfly. Do you know if there were many butterflies at Prismo last season. I have read reports of only a couple thousand butterflies counted along the entire California coast last season.
Thank you
Bernice
Minnie1016
Fresno, CA144 contributions
Is the last week of November a good time?
1970TravelChick
London, UK124 contributions
Yes, their largest count of butterflies last year was the last week in November
Will there be butterflies June 17
desro35
Cool, CA308 contributions
Probably not. Jan and feb the best time.
Trip147028
Bethel Island, CA
Is Febraury a good month to see the butterflies, if so beginning middle or end of month
Shali
San Diego, CA153 contributions
Beginning of February will be a good time
Monic T
Los Angeles, CA6 contributions
When is the best time to visit?
Cliff K
Des Moines, IA639 contributions
they say all the way to February but I would contact them and attend when volunteers are present. they have a web page too
Eucalyptus tree–filled grove with thousands of monarch butteries in late October through February.
Address: 400 S Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Hours:
Open 24 hours
Phone: (805) 773-7170
Leah M
Ravello, Italy
What’s the best time of day to go?
deezer6
Apple Valley, CA55 contributions
We went to the docent talk at 11:00. The butterflies move around more when it’s warm. The clusters were in the cooler spots as it was a warm day. If it’s a cooler day they’ll move and cluster in a warmer spot.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Monarch Butterfly Grove
- Hotels near Monarch Butterfly Grove:
- (0.81 mi) Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection
- (0.70 mi) SeaVenture Beach Hotel & Restaurant
- (0.77 mi) Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
- (0.45 mi) Pismo Coast Village RV Resort
- (0.77 mi) Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach
- Restaurants near Monarch Butterfly Grove:
- (0.56 mi) The Spoon Trade
- (0.71 mi) SeaVenture Restaurant
- (0.93 mi) The Oyster Loft
- (1.02 mi) Old West Cinnamon Rolls
- (0.98 mi) Cracked Crab