See the monarch butterflies in fascinating clustered swarms while they over-winter in Monterey at the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.

Monarch butterflies that live west of the Rocky Mountains migrate to the central coast for the winter to avoid freezing cold temperatures. The butterflies can be found in this protected grove of pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees October through February each year. The number of monarch butterflies found at migration sites has dwindled significantly since the early 2000s. The butterflies had a surge in numbers in 2021 after two years of dismal numbers, which is promising for an insect we know very little about.

The city of Pacific Grove is dedicated to providing the monarch butterflies with a protected area to migrate to and thrive in. The preserve is important because many of the places the butterflies inhabit have been degraded by construction, noise, and other factors that deter the butterflies from returning. The city even has a $1000 fine for “molestation of the butterflies” so be sure to treat the creatures with care and not try to touch them.

There is parking available for the monarch butterfly sanctuary along Ridge Road. The hotel next to the sanctuary has painted a beautiful butterfly mural along the path leading to the sanctuary. The trail through the sanctuary is only 0.3 miles and only has a 26 ft elevation gain, so kids of any age should be able to complete the walk. The sanctuary provides a great opportunity to talk to kids about the importance of preserving the habitats of animals and other creatures to ensure they can continue to live and thrive!