Each winter, the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove becomes one of the most important overwintering sites for Western monarchs. December is peak viewing season, but it’s also a key moment to reflect on the state of monarch populations, understand their unique migration, and take meaningful action to support their survival.
Whether you’re a local resident, a visitor, or a monarch enthusiast looking to learn more, this guide offers clear information, community resources, and practical steps for stewardship.
The State of Monarch Numbers
What Do The Recent Years Tell Us?
The Western monarch population has faced substantial declines over the past two decades. At its lowest point in 2020, fewer than 2,000 butterflies were counted across the entire Western population. However, recent years have shown promising rebounds and the resilience of the species, with tens of thousands clustering in coastal groves in the following years. Still, numbers remain far below historic levels, and the last two years (2024 and 2025) have been two of the lowest recorded counts. Previously observed high counts after low-count years indicate that there is hope, but the path is fragile and dependent on long-term habitat protection and ongoing community involvement.
Are Monarch Populations Declining Everywhere?
Not all monarch populations follow the same trends.
- Non-migratory monarchs in places like Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and parts of Spain exist but behave differently. Many do not migrate and face their own unique local pressures.
- Our Western monarchs on the California and Pacific Coast have experienced the sharpest documented declines.
- Eastern monarchs (east of the Rockies) migrate to Mexico and have had fluctuating numbers, but also face habitat loss. Their 2025-2026 season counts do look better than the Pacific populations.
Quick Overview of the Monarch Butterfly Basics
Understanding a few fundamentals helps us appreciate what makes these butterflies extraordinary, and why we need to step in to support them.
What Are Monarchs?
They are a migratory butterfly species recognized for their orange wings, black veins, and striking white spots. Their lifecycle includes four stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult.
Where Are They Found?
Monarchs are native to North America, but Western monarchs primarily range from British Columbia to Baja California, congregating at coastal overwintering sites from October through February.
How and Why Do They Migrate?
Western monarchs migrate to coastal California each fall in search of stable temperatures, humidity, and shelter. They enter a state called diapause, conserving energy and forming large clusters in trees such as eucalyptus, Monterey cypress, and pine.
Where Do They Migrate To?
- Western monarchs overwinter along the California coast, with Pismo Beach being a central gathering point.
- Eastern monarchs migrate to the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico.
What Do They Eat?
- Caterpillars: exclusively eat native milkweed (narrowleaf milkweed on the Central Coast).
- Adults: drink nectar from flowering plants such as buckwheat, coyote brush, seaside daisy, yarrow, goldenbush, and native sages.
When Monarchs Arrive in Pismo Beach
Late October: First Arrivals – The earliest clusters typically begin forming in late October. Numbers are smaller, but visitors can watch the grove slowly come to life as butterflies settle into the eucalyptus and Monterey cypress trees.
November: Monarch Numbers Build – By early to mid-November, more monarchs arrive daily. Clusters thicken, and cool mornings offer the best views of butterflies resting in tight, droplet-like formations.
December: Peak Monarch Season – December is the best time to see monarch butterflies in Pismo Beach. This is when the grove typically reaches its peak population and can have tens of thousands in a good year. Cool nights and crisp mornings keep them clustered low and visible. When the sun warms the grove each afternoon, monarchs lift off in shimmering orange clouds, creating some of the most iconic viewing moments of the season.
January: Still Strong, With More Flight Activity – January often maintains strong numbers, though weather patterns and storms can cause butterflies to shift within the grove or disperse temporarily. Sunny midday periods often bring the most movement.
February: Preparing for Migration – By mid to late February, monarchs begin leaving the coast. A few may remain into early March during cooler years, but the season is winding down.
How to Help Monarch Butterflies
Supporting monarchs is a community-wide effort, but there are many ways individuals can make a meaningful impact.
What Communities Can Do
- Protect overwintering sites through conservation easements, habitat restoration, and careful maintenance of coastal groves.
- Support native plant landscaping in public spaces, schools, and along roadways.
- Educate visitors and students with clear signage and stewardship programs.
- Participate in community science such as Thanksgiving and New Year’s monarch counts, which help researchers track population trends.
Our Local Organizations Leading Monarch Conservation
These partners offer education, volunteer opportunities, and science-based conservation efforts. Supporting them strengthens monarch recovery across the Central Coast.
- Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) – Provides education, interpretation, and stewardship programs supporting the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove and surrounding State Parks.
- Monarch Watch – Global tagging and research program that tracks monarch migration and supports habitat restoration.
- Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation – A leading science-based organization dedicated to pollinator protection and monarch research.
- Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove – Offers seasonal docents, viewing platforms, and educational talks for visitors.
2026’s Stewardship Weekend on Monarchs
To close out the overwintering season, our 2026 Stewardship Weekend will take place on February 28, with the evening event focusing on Monarchs. This community gathering will bring together conservation, education, and conversation, featuring keynote speaker Mary Ellen Hannibal, acclaimed environmental journalist and author, who will speak on monarch migration, resilience, and the critical role of community science in tracking and protecting the species.
The event will also include a panel of local stakeholders—from scientists to educators and conservation leaders—offering on-the-ground insight into monarch stewardship on the Central Coast. This event will celebrate the monarchs’ presence while equipping attendees with knowledge, tools, and inspiration to support their journey long after they leave the coast.
Why This Time of Year Matters for Monarch Stewardship
December is not just peak viewing season—it’s a turning point in the monarchs’ year. The choices we make now influence their chances of survival in spring, when they prepare to leave the coast, lay eggs, and begin the next generation.
By learning about their lifecycle, supporting conservation efforts, planting the right species, and caring for our local ecosystems, we help ensure that monarchs continue to return to Pismo Beach each winter.
Their presence is more than a seasonal attraction; it’s a reminder of how interconnected our coastal habitats truly are. Stewardship is a community effort, and every action, large or small, strengthens the future of the Western monarch butterfly.
