As of today, out of season, returns ~October. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Each fall, western monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) migrate to a few coastal California groves to form dense overwintering clusters.
These groves, including the well-known Pismo State Beach site, host butterflies from autumn through late winter and are sensitive habitats that require quiet, low-light viewing.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove (Pismo Beach) |
| Morro Bay Monarch Grove (Morro Bay State Park area) |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.