Explore with Purpose
Pismo Beach encourages visitors and the local community to protect marine life, keep our trails and beaches pristine, and support the people who make this place one of the best in the world.
Start here: lessons and activity books for kids, the annual events that bring volunteers together, the Monarch Butterfly Grove, and the parks, preserve and sanctuary waters that make this stretch of coast so special.
Educational Outreach
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Educational Outreach
Program Overview
Lessons, activity books and school programs that teach kids and visitors how to care for the Pismo Beach coast.
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Educational Outreach
Pismo Clams & Sea Creatures
Knowledge is power and from the activity book, you learned how to identify a Pismo Clam, a mussel, and a sand dollar, and how to rebury a Pismo Clam and to return a living Sand Dollar back to the ocean.
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Educational Outreach
Beach & Trail Etiquette
The true meaning of etiquette is always to show respect and kindness to everyone around you and to follow the rules for the benefit of everyone and everything affected by your actions.
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Educational Outreach
Monarchs & Pollinators
You’ve colored-by-number some of the important pollinators living in Pismo Beach but there are so many more to learn about!
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Educational Outreach
Pismo Preserve Flora & Fauna
If you enjoyed the “I SPY” activity for finding the woodland creatures at the Pismo Preserve, then you will really enjoy learning more about the many other species that live there!
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Educational Outreach
Seabirds: Share the Shore
Pismo Beach is a valuable nesting ground and habitat for many seabirds on the Central Coast of California.
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Educational Outreach
Whales & Marine Mammals
From the PBSEO Activity Book Volume 1, you learned how to tell the difference between a Humpback Whale and Gray Whale by connecting the dots to draw the shape of the whales’ spouts.
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Educational Outreach
Dog Friendly Travel
We love when our canine companions are able to roam freely, but in many instances it is best for our dogs to enjoy outings with us while they are on their leash.
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Educational Outreach
The Importance of Sharks
With a name like Angel Shark, these sharks can’t possibly be dangerous, right?
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Educational Outreach
Wonders Under the Pier
You’ve colored the funky sea creatures that live under Pismo Beach pier so now it’s time to learn more about them!
Annual Events
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Annual Events
Stewardship Weekend
An annual weekend celebrating the land and waters that sustain Pismo Beach, with hands-on stewardship activities.
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Annual Events
Celebrate Earth Day
Beach cleanups and family activities that celebrate Earth Day along the Pismo Beach coast.
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Annual Events
Pollinator Month
Pismo Beach’s celebration of the butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Monarch Butterflies
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Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Overview
The Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove counts of over 10,000 butterflies annually.
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Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Butterfly Grove
Our colony is one of the largest in the nation, some years hosting an average of 25,000 butterflies.
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Monarch Butterflies
Butterfly Medallion Trail
Follow the medallions along a 1.1-mile coastal route from the Pismo Beach Pier to the Monarch Butterfly Grove.
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Monarch Butterflies
Getting Here
Get North or Southbound directions to the Butterfly Grove and view a map here.
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Monarch Butterflies
Historical Counts
Find out the yearly numbers of butterflies every year dating back to 1990.
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Monarch Butterflies
Understanding the Low Numbers
In previous years, it’s hosted bundles of thousands of monarchs covering the trees. Yet, this year marks a low point, with only 197 monarchs recorded as of the last count.
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Monarch Butterflies
FAQ
Learn more about Monarch Butterflies with these thought provoking questions.
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Monarch Butterflies
Resources
We have searched around to build our list of Monarch Butterfly resources.
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Monarch Butterflies
Activities and Education
Click here for some fun Monarch Butterfly educational activities for the whole family
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Monarch Butterflies
Contact Us
Contact the Butterfly Grove by linking to this page. We welcome your communication.
Parks & Wildlife
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Parks & Wildlife
Parks & Wildlife Overview
Reconnect with nature in Pismo Beach, a natural vacation spot. What’s your Pismo Beach?
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Parks & Wildlife
Pismo Preserve
The Pismo Preserve is an 880-acre coastal property with 11 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
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Parks & Wildlife
Chumash Marine Sanctuary
When you visit Pismo Beach, you’re officially stepping into a living marine sanctuary.
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