Monarch Butterfly Grove
Monarch Butterfly Grove, Pismo Beach: Address, Phone Number, Monarch Butterfly Grove Reviews: 4.5/5
Monarch Butterfly Grove
Monarch Butterfly Grove
4.5
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Top ways to experience Monarch Butterfly Grove and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
193 within 3 miles

The Spoon Trade
155
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Fin's
288
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood

Pismo Coast Village Recreation
39
0.5 mi$$ - $$$

SeaVenture Beach Hotel
482
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly

Gino's Pizza
137
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly

Huckleberry's Pismo Beach
185
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cajun & Creole • Vegetarian Friendly

Brooks Burgers
72
0.6 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food

Sisters Kitchen Thai
66
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly

Station Grill
73
0.6 mi$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly

The Rib Line
123
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Barbecue
Attractions
48 within 6 miles
Monarch Butterfly Grove
441 ftNature & Wildlife Areas

Pismo Pier
1,624
0.9 miPiers & Boardwalks

Pismo Beach Premium Outlets
183
0.5 miShopping Malls

Monarch Grove Winery
16
0.5 miWineries & Vineyards

Welcome Center
5
0.5 miVisitor Centers

Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville
229
2.3 miTheaters
Pismo Pickers Antiques & Collectibles
6
0.6 miAntique Shops

Dinosaur Caves Park
253
2.5 miParks

Pismo promenade
23
0.7 miPiers & Boardwalks • Scenic Walking Areas

Chamisal Vineyards
171
Wineries & Vineyards
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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
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
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
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.
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
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
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!!
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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, CA139 contributions
Is the last week of November a good time?
1970TravelChick
London, UK122 contributions
Yes, their largest count of butterflies last year was the last week in November
Will there be butterflies June 17
desro35
Cool, CA283 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, IA564 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.
angel4day06
Las Vegas, NV2 contributions
Planning a trip november 1-4 is this good to see the butterflys
Mccaf
San Diego, CA199 contributions
I believe this is the very beginning of the over-winter season for the migration.
There is a Q&A in trip advisor on this subject.
F5190DXpaulinem
1 contribution
Planning on visiting on August 19th, 2018.
Are there any Butterflies at this time?
Diane D
Westminster, CA770 contributions
Most likely not many if any but it might be worth a driveby since the area is beautiful.
Frequently Asked Questions about Monarch Butterfly Grove
- We recommend booking Monarch Butterfly Grove tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Monarch Butterfly Grove tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Monarch Butterfly Grove:
- (0.70 mi) SeaVenture Pismo Beach Hotel & Restaurant
- (0.45 mi) Pismo Coast Village RV Resort
- (0.77 mi) Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
- (0.77 mi) Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach
- (0.88 mi) Inn at the Pier
- Restaurants near Monarch Butterfly Grove:
- (0.56 mi) The Spoon Trade
- (0.71 mi) SeaVenture Beach Hotel
- (1.02 mi) Old West Cinnamon Rolls
- (0.93 mi) The Oyster Loft
- (0.82 mi) Rosa's Italian Restaurant