In recent years, the Monarchs have gathered at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary. In the past, they have also gone to Washington Park and private yards.

To get to the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, take Highway 68 north into Pacific Grove. Highway 68 is also called the Holman Highway and further down, Forest Avenue. Be careful to stay over to the right after you pass David, and go straight down Forest Avenue into town. Don't follow 68 where it turns left past the high school; this will get you to the beach but not the butterflies. Make a left turn at the stop sign at Lighthouse Avenue. Follow Lighthouse Avenue through downtown, and turn left at Ridge Road. There is an orange Monarch crossing sign at the corner. Go past the Butterfly Grove Inn and park on the street. There are a number of pull-in spaces adjacent to the PG Adult School that are available for visitors to the Monarch Sanctuary. Follow the easement marked "Monarch Grove Sanctuary Entrance" into the butterfly habitat.  

Visitors gather around a docent at Pacific Grove's Monarch Sanctuary on Ridge Road.

In October, Monarch Butterflies begin arriving in Pacific Grove--the end of a long trek from as far as the Canadian Rockies and southern Alaska. They migrate here to escape the rigors of the northern winters.

Local school children have a parade in early October to honor the returning insects.

By Thanksgiving, most of the Monarchs have arrived and settled in. The butterflies attach themselves to trees in huge clusters, and in chilly or damp weather they fold part of their wings and appear like clumps of dead leaves.

A clump of Monarchs in the trees at the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary.