Monarch Butterflies At Pismo Beach
Each year thousands of vibrantly colored Monarch Butterflies flock to Pismo Beach to escape the cold northern winters. These bright orange and black butterflies cluster in the limbs of a grove of Eucalyptus Tree's at Pismo State Beach.
If you happen to be visiting Pismo Beach or are on a California coast road trip between the months of October to late February make sure you stop by the Monarch Butterfly Grove to see these winged beauty's
The Monarchs that visit Pismo Beach are a special variety. These butterflies have a life span of six months as opposed to that of common Monarchs who live only six weeks which is attributed to a unique fat storing system.
Monarch Butterflies form dense clusters with each butterfly hanging with its wings down over the one below it to form a shingle effect. This provides shelter from the rain, and warmth from the group. The weight of the cluster helps to keep the branches from whipping in the wind and dislodging the butterflies.
Pismo Beach has the largest aggregation of Monarch Butterflies in America hosting on average of 25,000 butterflies over the last five years.
Each year thousands of these beautiful creatures migrate to Pismo Beach seeking shelter from the cold northern winters starting in October and will hibernate here until February.
If you happen to be visiting Pismo Beach or on a California coast road trip between the months of October to late February make sure you stop by the Monarch Butterfly Grove to see these winged beauty's and learn more about their biology from docents who give daily talks at 11am and 2pm.
Getting To Pismo State Beach
The Monarch Butterfly Grove is easy to get to from the Pacific Coast Highway as it is located not too far from the exit. It is about a 3 hour drive from Los Angeles on the Central California coast.
Address: 400 South Dolliver street, Pismo Beach, California.
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