Monarch season is OVER! Come back next season with peak months from November - January.

Where Can I See Monarchs?

The largest overwintering site for monarch butterflies in Monterey County is at the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary. Monarchs are not in Pacific Grove year-round. These butterflies typically arrive in mid-October and leave in mid-February.

We are one of the few sites in California that regularly counts the number of monarch butterflies. This website will share the latest monarch count weekly during the season.

·        Address: 250 Ridge Road, Pacific Grove CA 93950

·        Opening hours: sunrise to sunset daily, including weekends and holidays

·        Admission fee: no admission fee, no reservations required

·        Parking: free parking

·        Accessibility: ADA Accessible

·        Pets: not permitted

·        Docents: Museum volunteer docents can be found at the Monarch Sanctuary from Nov - Feb when available, generally from 11 am - 3 pm, weather permitting.

Western monarch butterflies are historically in the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary from mid-October through mid-February, with a peak season of November – January.

To see monarchs cluster, visit the Sanctuary in the morning before 11 am, or on overcast days below 55 F. Look closely: clustering monarchs resemble small pinecones or brown leaves.

To see monarchs in flight, visit the Sanctuary in the mid-day or afternoon after 11 am, or on sunny days above 55 F. Monarchs will be most present in the nectar beds on the south end of the trail.

Other popular monarch overwintering locations in California include Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz and Pismo State Beach.

The Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary is designed to be as monarch friendly as possible. Visitors can help the safety and well being of the monarchs by abiding by the following protocols:

·       Stay on designated paths.

·       Keep pets outside – do not bring dogs or other pets in the Sanctuary.

·       Do not touch, pick up, chase, or in any way molest or stress the butterflies.

·       Keep your voices down.

·       No food or smoking is permitted within the Sanctuary.

The Pacific Grove Police Department enforces these regulations with a fine of up to $1,000. Thank you for helping to keep the monarch butterflies in Pacific Grove safe!

How to Help Monarchs

No matter where you live, you can help to protect the iconic and Endangered monarch butterfly.

1.     Support ecofriendly legislation and leaders on a local, state, and federal level. Support the protection of habitats for monarch butterflies and pollinators. Habitat loss is one of the leading causes of population decline of the Western monarch butterfly.

2.    Plant native nectar plants. Adult monarch butterflies feed off nectar. If you live close to an overwintering site, like Pacific Grove, plant native flowers that bloom in the fall, winter, and/or spring.

3.    If you live at least 5 miles from the coast, plant native milkweeds. Milkweed is not native to coastal California, and introduction of the non-native plant may disrupt the natural migration process.

4.    Refrain from using pesticides around your home – herbicides and insecticides – and support companies that are also pollinator-friendly.

5.    Volunteer at the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary to educate the public or gather data about the Western monarch population.

Learn More

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History’s monarch gallery is open year-round. Highlights of this exhibit include real specimens, amazing videos, vintage artifacts, a “cabinet of curiosities” and multiple hands-on opportunities, all with the most up-t0-date scientific knowledge and artistic presentation.