Chasing Monarchs along the California coastline
A winged invasion is descending along the California coast. They will come in groups of hundreds, perhaps thousands. And they will set up a winter homes in parks and inlets stretching from Marin County to San Diego.
The annual migration of Monarch Butterflies begins in autumn as the colorful insects journey from colder climates. Some monarchs come from as far away as Canada and Western Colorado. They are looking for a place to rest their weary wings for the winter months, a safe haven from frosty temperatures.
California's central coast provides just the right kind of habitat. Known as Danaus plexippus by entomologists, Monarchs cling to trees for protection from wind and rain. The insects will stay through early spring and then journey inland to lay eggs.
"Monarchs come out on beautiful sunny days and like to hang around beautiful coastal flowers—just like humans," said Fred Heath, author of An Introduction to Southern California Butterflies and a member of the Board of Directors for the North American Butterfly Association. "They don't eat much during the winter but might take a sip or two of nectar from the local flora."
Heath has worn out the soles of his boots following the erratic flight of Monarchs. He has peeked at their Halloween-colored clusters on eucalyptus trees of Santa Barbara County. He has viewed them under foggy canopy at Pismo Beach, strode with them among the Monterey pines and trampled over dusty trails to see their Sierra breeding sites.
Through all his travels Heath has come to admire this delicate species for its adaptability and resilience. The butterflies you see along the coast this winter are not the same ones who visited last year. They are three or four generations removed.
The annual journey takes them from coastal habitat to California's inland valleys and Sierra foothills. Succeeding generations hatch throughout the summer and travel further up the slope of the Sierras and north as far as Canada. Cool autumn weather tells offspring that it's time to head coastward.
Just toss a pebble into the evolutionary pond if you want to stir up debate among butterfly experts. Postulations abound but nobody has a proven explanation for how butterflies end up, year after year, in the same locations frequented by their long-departed grandparents.
"Somehow they find their way south," Heath said. "It may be a chemical signal—pheromones—emitted by butterflies which attracts other butterflies. They certainly don't remember where their grandparents have been."
California's scenic coastline has plenty of accessible locations to view this year's wintering brood of Monarch butterflies. Among the best sites are:
Natural Bridges State Beach
The annual Welcome Back Monarch Festival includes a parade, butterfly gardening tips, music and tours. Monarch tours continue through February. The beach's Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve provides a temporary home for more than 100,000 of the insects and is the only such preserve in the state. Visitors also can see a demonstration milkweed patch that may contain Monarch eggs, caterpillars and chrysalides depending on the season. School programs may be scheduled for weekdays or weekends.
Location: In the northwestern part of Santa Cruz. Go north from Santa Cruz on Highway 1 and take Swift Avenue west. Follow West Cliff Drive north along the in-town bluffs until it ends at Natural Bridges.
Phone: 831-423-4609
Website: Natural Bridges State Beach
Monarch Grove Sanctuary
Located in Pacific Grove, the Monarch Grove Sanctuary provide habitat for some 25,000 butterflies. Monarchs cluster at several spots in the area and begin showing up in October. Pacific Grove has idea conditions with its mild winters and protected groves of eucalyptus and pine trees. The town also is rebuilding Monarch habitat lost to development during the past century.
Location: Go to the town of Pacific Grove off of Lighthouse Boulevard, just south of Monterey on Highway 1. The sanctuary is located on Ridge Road, one block west of Lighthouse and Highway 17.
Phone: (831) 375-0982
Website: Monarch Grove Sanctuary
Andrew Molera State Park
The park is located in the Big Sur area and offers visitors hiking, fishing and beach access. There are miles of trails through meadows, beaches and hilltops. Thousands of Monarchs roost in the Eucalyptus trees in Cooper Grove along beautiful Big Sur River (grove adjacent to Cooper Cabin). Eucalyptus trees are not native to California and were first introduced in mid-1800s. Monarchs were drawn to the tree's tall, thick canopy about 100 years ago.
Location: 20 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
Phone: 831-667-2315
Website: Andrew Molera State Park
San Simeon State Park
The coastal bluffs and promontories of this scenic park offer unobstructed views of the ocean and rocky shore. A three-mile trail includes scenic overlooks, rest-stop benches and interpretive panels with information on wildlife and habitat. The San Simeon Natural Preserve within the park includes wetlands, riparian areas, several undisturbed native plant communities and butterfly gatherings.
Location: About 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1 (five miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center).
Phone: (805) 927-2020
Website: San Simeon State Park
Pismo State Beach
The beach offers one of the largest wintering colonies of Monarchs in eucalyptus grove at the northern end of the park. It also offers excellent hiking, surfing and digging for the world-renowned Pismo clam. The Monarch grove is a short, easy walk from the parking lot.
Location: In Oceano just west of Arroyo Grande and Highway 101.
Phone: (805) 489-1869
Website: Pismo State Beach
Coronado Butterfly Preserve
The preserve contains the Ellwood Main Monarch Grove and is full of native coastal sage scrub, eucalyptus groves, woodlands and meadows. December and January are peak viewing seasons. Encompassing the beach, the preserve has easy trails that make for a beautiful walk on a sunny day. It contains coastal bluffs, Santa Barbara Shores County Park and Devereux Slough.
Location: From Highway 101, exit Storke Rd./Glen Annie and head south (away from mountains). Turn right on Hollister Avenue, drive about 1.2 miles and take a left on Coronado Drive. Entrance to the Preserve is at the end of Coronado Drive.
Phone: (805) 966-4520
Website: Coronado Butterfly Preserve
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Malibu offers premier surfing beaches and Monarch wintering grounds. You can get guided tours of the butterfly areas, wetlands and tidepools. The west side of Malibu Creek Bridge features a Southern California the salt marsh, once common throughout the southern state but now lost to coastal development.
Location: From Santa Monica follow the Pacific Coast Highway 13 miles west. Or from Highway 101 exit at Las Virgenes Road and go 10-miles west through Malibu Canyon, turn left at Pacific Coast Highway, travel 1.5 miles east. The entrance is at Cross Creek Road.
Phone: 310-456-8432
Website: Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Article by Jay Alling, editor of Sensible Driver. Write to jay@sensibledriver.com.