Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve
Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Features animals
Learn more about animal welfare in tourismSuggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view










Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
228 within 3 miles
Attractions
83 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
50 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
15
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Jonathan C.
La Jolla, California, USA445 contributions
Nov 2020
Come by here between October and February to see the migrating monarch butterflies! There is a small visitor's center you can visit, but otherwise take the trail down to the grove to get the best views of the butterflies. There are plenty of educational signs along the way, and pre-pandemic there were guides and docents at the end. Bring your binoculars if you have them!
Written November 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P. F
Bowling Green, OH242 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
I heard that Monarchs migrate here over winter and was very excited to visit. The day was chilly and overcast, so the butterflies were mainly hanging in clusters from the trees to keep warm, but it was still exciting to see so many in one place, and we were lucky to experience a few wandering Monarchs up close. Would love to go back on a sunnier day, the park ranger said alot more would be flying around if the sun was out.
Written December 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
happytravlr1
San Jose, CA13 contributions
Nov 2019
You can park outside the preserve and walk in, or drive to the visitors station and park there. It's an easy walk to the viewing location, down a wooden walkway with enclosed sides - once there, you have to adjust your eyes to see them in clumps on the trees because they blend well with the leaves when they're in a cluster. It's just a sweet, peaceful little tradition (though it can get crowded at popular times, and to be real, not everyone who visits is spatially and audibly conscientious), but when you get the chance to see the whole cluster start to move, it's pretty incredible. The beach is a short walk further, and the visitors center has rest rooms and a little picnic area, so it's good for families.
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle H
Santa Cruz, CA16 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
The Natural Bridges is no longer home to the most of nesting Monarch butterflies.They moved down to Lighthouse Field by the surf museum. It's about a mile along the beautiful coast towards town. They are happy and healthy living amongst the Eucalyptus.
Written October 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie H
Sacramento, CA20 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
Just fascinating to learn about the Monarch butterfly, and then to see the amazing creatures as they return to the Natural Bridges grove every October.
It's an easy walk down the wooden trail to the heart of the grove, and most people respect the fact that you're supposed to stay quiet to preserve the Monarchs' environment.
It's an easy walk down the wooden trail to the heart of the grove, and most people respect the fact that you're supposed to stay quiet to preserve the Monarchs' environment.
Written October 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeriLG
Santa Cruz, CA1,478 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
This is a seasonal walk with the butterflies, but always a beautiful one. There is an information building and a garden for the butterflies. The forest is beautiful with or without the butterflies. October through December is the best time to see them. You can pay the State Park fee or park on the street and walk in the back path right to the Butterfly trail entrance. This is not a difficult path by any means.
Written April 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brynniedapooh
Santa Cruz, CA5 contributions
Nov 2019
The shimmering wings of the butterflies is magical. Not to be missed when they are migrating. The trees are full of the orange and black wings of thousands of Monarch Butterflies. Unforgettable!
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mili M
14 contributions
Nov 2018
We went mid-november, there were hardly any butterflies to see. The hike was very pleasant and on its own a wonderful experience but we went with the expectation of seeing lots of butterflies so that was a big disappointment.
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James Y
San Jose, CA202 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
Agree with gourmet4uh that a lot of butterflies (about half) has moved down near the Lighthouse Field Beach. But overall, the number of butterflies has dwindled to a few hundred or about a thousand, much fewer compared to the number years ago of many thousands. If you don't know how many were there before, this place is still a good place to spot the clusters of butterflies. It also has a visitor's center where you can get a briefing of butterflies' ecology and life cycles. You can buy milkweed seeds if you live nearby and want to help to plant the butterflies' food.
Written November 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward G
Union City, CA58 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
The butterflies are hanging in the trees by the 1000's, is amazing. Have never seen so many in one place before.
Written September 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daphne C
Santa Cruz, CA
do they have a website ?
Diane B
Naperville, IL20 contributions
Hi Daphne, no, I don't think so. I found two spots for Monarchs when visiting Santa Cruz in early Feb. but it was at the end of the season. So right now, I don't think there will be monarchs there. The better place (at the time I visited) was in the trail area north of the surfing museum on Cliff Drive but south of Pelton Ave. The monarchs roost in an area farther away from the parking area, almost to Pelton. At Natural Bridges, I was really disappointed as there were only a few butterflies, not a roost. Natural Bridges does have a website but TA won't allow me to post a URL!
Is the monarch trail dog friendly?
Andeemc
San Jose, CA73 contributions
You walk on a boardwalk into the tree area, not very far. If you have a quiet, trained dog, I'd think it would be ok, but it's only about 8 feet wide and railed in. You take the same direction in and out, so it'd be tight if you go at a crowded time. I don't remember seeing if dogs were allowed. Enjoy.
We will be traveling through next week. Is it likely the butterflies will still be there?
Many thanks
Liz
academicjock
Orangevale, CA38 contributions
The season may be waning. I took a minute (as could have others) and 'googled' the park. There is a phone number for getting updates. (831) 423-4609
Gail G
1 contribution
We will be
staying in Santa Cruz Weekend of Easter 2017, Will we get a chance to see butterflies?
Nomadanina
San Francisco, CA91 contributions
Probably not. I think the migration ended last month. But Natural Bridges is still worth a visit.
Can children actually see them low enough for them
Nomadanina
San Francisco, CA91 contributions
They were pretty high up in the trees, in clusters or flying around.
Recently viewed
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingMonarch Butterfly Natural Preserve (Santa Cruz) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve
- Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve:
- (0.15 mi) 3 BR + loft West Side Ocean View Natural Bridges
- (0.15 mi) Westside 3 BR + loft Overlooks Natural Bridges Beach. Great for Families!
- (0.20 mi) Serenity at Natural Bridges - Short Stroll to Beach
- (0.88 mi) Mission Inn
- (0.39 mi) West Cliff Getaway
- Restaurants near Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve:
- (0.70 mi) West End Tap & Kitchen
- (0.42 mi) Iveta Gourmet
- (1.96 mi) Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
- (0.51 mi) Marianne's Ice Cream Plant
- (2.83 mi) Marianne's Ice Cream
Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve Information
| Excellent Reviews | 29 |
|---|---|
| Very Good Reviews | 15 |
| Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve Photos | 28 |





































































