United States
California (CA)
San Luis Obispo County
Pismo Beach
Things to Do in Pismo Beach
Monarch Butterfly Grove

Monarch Butterfly Grove, Pismo Beach: Address, Phone Number, Monarch Butterfly Grove Reviews: 4.5/5

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Monarch Butterfly Grove

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Monarch Butterfly Grove
4.5
1,046
#1 of 19 things to do in Pismo Beach
Nature & Wildlife Areas
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Top ways to experience Monarch Butterfly Grove and nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
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193 within 3 miles
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Attractions
48 within 6 miles
Monarch Butterfly Grove
441 ftNature & Wildlife Areas
Pismo Pier
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0.5 miShopping Malls
Monarch Grove Winery
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0.5 miWineries & Vineyards
Welcome Center
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0.5 miVisitor Centers
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2.3 miTheaters
Pismo Pickers Antiques & Collectibles
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0.6 miAntique Shops
Dinosaur Caves Park
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Pismo promenade
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,046 reviews
Excellent
662
Very good
275
Average
85
Poor
17
Terrible
7
atlas993
Elk Grove, CA466 contributions
Fun little stop
Dec 2021 • Family
We went December 2021 on a chilly, but sunny day after a day of rain. We got there before 10am and met up with some friends. We stayed almost 2 hours, but that’s only because we were chatting and our kids were running around. You could see everything within 10 minute. We saw a number of butterflies flying around and landing on the ground, but it wasn’t a lot. We saw one or two clusters of them in the trees too. We talked to one guy who said that the grove in Monterey had so many more. Based on the information at the site, last year there were only 200, but they’ve seen a lot more of them this year. It’s definitely something to see if you have an hour or less to kill, but just manage your expectations.
Written January 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
gardengal16
Escondido, CA38 contributions
Look up!
Feb 2022
We would never have known about this amazing area except for our friend who had been there. Oct. -Feb is when the Monarchs congregate so we saw thousands on our Feb. trip. They just look like orange flowers in the eucalyptus leaves but when the flowers fly, it's amazing.
Written February 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jenLeCreate
Vista, CA369 contributions
Magical!! Awaken the child within you
Nov 2021
Located on Hwy 1 just south of Pismo Beach (part of the state beach) with plenty of free parking along the roadside. A great place to relax (some seating if you need) and watch the butterflies. There is a little shop that sells some things butterflies as well as porta potties should you have too much coffee. The grove is close to the road and is wheel chair accessible.

This year the butterflies have come back much more than in prior years - thousands of them. If you are lucky you can see them come in and leave in large groups - your heart will smile.

If you tire of the butterflies, you can take a short or long walk on the beach that is right by the grove. This is something that you should check out at least once.
Written February 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ROCruiser
Claremont, CA4,533 contributions
Not in Season
Aug 2020
We were there in August, not butterfly season, but still enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of this area. The State park next to the grove was closed and we had to park our RV across the street which was OK. There weren't that many visitors there but locals taking their dogs for walks. Free to enter. It was a nice, easy walk from the grove to the dunes. Great views. Only saw a couple of lonely monarch butterflies while we were there. Would love to come back when the time is right.
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dtesno
Villa Rica, GA136 contributions
Punch list moments
Jan 2020 • Couples
We arrived at the butterfly grove about 9:30. It was just starting to warm up. We immediately saw more monarchs than either Goleta or Pacific Grove. Then the action began! The docents arrived, the spotting scopes were set up, and the monarchs began to wake up! By 11:00 they were very active. At 11:30 there was a presentation by a docent who had been there for over 30 years!

We were told the butterfly count was about 3,000—down considerably, but still enough to get a novice excited!!

Great stop!!
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mtssing
Los Angeles, California5 contributions
Smaller grove than I imagined
Sep 2020
Not quite sure how to rate this, as we came in the off season. What surprised me was that the grove was pretty small - a stand of maybe 20 trees - maybe the size of a city block. I looked at it on a map and for some reason, thought it was a big area, but it's not! Parking area was small right in front of the grove. I just wonder if it's a zoo when it is in season? Not sure I would make a trip to the area just to see the butterflies, as we didn't spend much time here, even though we walked all around.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
WStaso
Roseville, CA587 contributions
February is the month to visit
Feb 2020
During the view season, parking can be an issue on the street. There are docents who will answer your questions and point you to locations to see the butterflies. It is worth it to walk across the bridge to a path that takes you to the beach (the left path) around the newly opened campground.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mjaguilar2020
Los Angeles, CA5 contributions
Great place to admire Monarch's
Jan 2020
This is a great place to see the Monarch butterflies in all their glory and to get a good understanding about their life cycle. Easy to get here and very much worth the time. From here you can easily walk along the path to the beach and explore more. Highly recommend this with or without children but of course, if you take children they will be amazed. This is something you see in big cities.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brian B
54 contributions
The butterflies are back about five times more this year
Dec 2021
In recent years there has been a decline in the monarch population here, but this year they are back in a bigger way. Always worth a stop when in Pismo. Volunteers will tell you more about monarchs and help you spot them clustered in the trees.
Written January 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
stelleenie
Pismo Beach, CA6 contributions
Amazing Butterflies
Feb 2020 • Couples
I am lucky enough to live down the street from the grove. We see a lot of people checking this out especially October through March. They come to see the Butterflies resting in the trees. But it is still a nice place to walk even when they aren't there. So amazing to see, highly recommend.
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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