Here are 3 reasons you should visit the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. Nature lovers let’s go! Plus you folks who are straight up curious…come on!

Reason 1: The Butterfly Grove

Pismo Beach‘s Butterfly Grove is one of 5 sites in the whole state that has counts of over 10,000 monarch butterflies annually.  Look, let’s keep it real.  Climate change is messing up our planet and the creatures are having a hard time.  The monarch isn’t endangered, but there are fewer numbers showing up during their overwintering in coastal California.  If you want to see them in all their abundant glory, get to the Monarch Butterfly Grove.  It’s off Hwy 1, aka PCH, aka Pacific Coast Highway, a half mile south of Pismo Beach.

Reason 2: Pismo Beach

It’s the BEACH!  Come on…pretty monarch butterflies and hanging out at the beach in the winter?  Win and win!  The monarchs are at the grove hanging in the eucalyptus trees escaping from the cold winters of Canada and the northern US.  Smart creatures.  They’re in Pismo from about October/November through February.  After enjoying the grove, take a walk along Pismo Beach. Parking is free so you might as well. Or keep driving and check out beaches north along PCH to Avila Beach Dr.  PCH will fork off to the right and you’ll hit San Luis Obispo in about 20 minutes.

Reason 3: Simply getting out of the city

You get out of the city, away from the hustle, get some sun on your face and get a blessing from nature.  For a lot of folks, getting away is simply reason enough.

I can write about Coastal California for days, but we’ll also look inland too to explore the Sierra Nevada’s.  It is ski season after all…

And because I’m curious, when you’re outdoors, are you the hiking/exercise type or are you out to see what you can see?  Let me know in the comments.

May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back.