How to enjoy the Monarch Butterfly Migration in Northern California

Many people know that Monarch Butterflies winter over in Mexico, but the Butterflies west of the Rocky Mountains winter over in Northern California and are easy to plan a trip to see.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   People have loved watching Monarch Butterflies for ever. We have left milkweed plants in our flower bed so they will give the Monarchs a better chance with all the pasture and fields giving way to development. In the east the Monarchs migrate to Mexico. West of the Rocky Mountains however, they winter over in Northern California where it is easy to plan a trip and see thousands of them hanging in the Eucalyptus trees.

2. 
    

   WHERE: The best Monarch area to plan a trip to is Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. It is also close to a world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row of the John Steinbeck novel. There are other areas to see the Monarchs up and down the coast as you travel highway 101, but this is a great location with only a short walk to see the butterflies. An internet search of California Monarch can give you some great ideas of where to travel and some good hotels and attractions as well.

3. 
    

   WHEN: The butterflies arrive in October and hang in the Eucalyptus trees through February. November through late January are ideal times. November is great as they are still arriving and more active. In the spring they start spreading out again into California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and other areas. After three generations migrate the 4th generation return to winter over. The ones who return are the children's grandchildren of the ones there now. What is amazing is that the ones who spread out all summer only live six weeks or so. The ones who migrate back in the fall live about 5 months to start the process again

Tips & Warnings

• Pacific Grove has hotels but is not a large area. Make hotel or camping reservations in advance to insure you don't miss getting a place to stay.

[taydidit]

on 11/23/2008 That's awesome, I want to do this. Five stars!

[soanyway]

on 11/9/2008 Thanks, I had no idea where!

[gailM]

on 11/9/2008 Great news of my favorite butterfly. Here in Kansas we have them around the wild milkweed on our prairies during the summer. Then in September the migration starts to Mexico and the air is full of the colorful insects. The 4-H clubs have a catch, tag and release program with the monarchs.

[dsarokin]

on 11/7/2008 I would LOVE to see this, with my whole family in tow. Maybe one year, but for now, thanks for the vicarious pleasure.

[CandisLynn]

on 11/7/2008 That's great! We also have a Monarch butterfly sanctuary here on the Central Coast, CA. It's truly amazing to watch. Great article.