PLEASE NOTE:
AS OF EARLY DECEMBER 2004, ACCESS TO THE
MONARCH SANCTUARY HAS BEEN LIMITED DUE
TO THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF FALLING TREE LIMBS.

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.  

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. In 2007, the parade will yake place on Saturday October 6.

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. Optimal viewing for activity is between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on a sunny day.They overwinter until February or March, when the mating season takes place. Then they leave.

The number of overwintering Monarchs and the time of their arrival and departure each year varies. The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and/or Friends of the Monarchs can provide you with up-to-date information about the Monarchs' status.

Visit the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History's site for more information about the natural history of the butterfly.
Forest and Central avenues
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 648-3116
pgmuseum@mbay.net

Visit the Friends of the Monarchs site for more information on the migration phenomenon and volunteer opportunities.
P.O. Box 51683
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 375-0982
(888) PG MONARCH

Check out the Steinbeck connection to the Monarchs.

Watch a video about the Monarch Butterflies by Robert Pacelli

Butterfly Parade
Visit Robert Down School's site.