Monarch butterflies make use of eucalyptus groves as winter nesting sites throughout the California coast.
Monarchs migrate every year from Mexico to California and back, with some even traveling as far north as Canada.
Beginning in October, they start to coat the eucalyptus trees in dozens of groves from Santa Cruz to San Diego.
They can number in the tens of thousands completely covering their hosts to the point where the dull brown underside of the monarch wings look like dead leaves on a dying tree.
By February, the monarchs are mostly gone again feeding and migrating to their next destination.
Three butterfly groves along the California Central Coast contain the largest concentration of monarch butterflies where visitors are welcome to share the experience.
Natural Bridges State Beach Natural Bridges State Beach is located on the west side of town in Santa Cruz.
Head south on Western Drive from Highway 1 and follow the signs to the park.
Natural Bridges is a day-use park offering picnic facilities and a popular beach with picturesque rock formations.
Tens of thousands of monarchs make the park their temporary winter home.
A visitor center sells various monarch butterfly souvenirs and features educational displays.
Natural Bridges hosts two monarch butterfly events; Welcome Back Monarchs Day in October and the Migration Festival in February.
Pacific Grove Pacific Grove is located between Monterey and Carmel.
From Lighthouse Avenue, turn on Ridge Road.
Watch for the access trail marked by the 'Monarch Grove Sanctuary' sign on the right and park across the road alongside the school.
The trail passes between private residences and the Monarch Grove Inn.
This small grove hosts thousands of monarch butterflies.
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History provides docents who greet visitors and provide detailed information about monarchs.
Pacific Grove is known as 'Butterfly Town U.
S.
A.
' and hosts the Butterfly Parade in October.
Pismo Beach Pismo Beach features the largest monarch butterfly grove in the state.
The Grove can be accessed either from the North Beach Campground at Pismo State Beach or the dirt parking lot off Highway 1, just south of the North Beach Campground entrance.
Tens of thousands of monarchs make Pismo Beach their temporary winter home.
Docents are available to answer any questions and a portable trailer is chock full of butterfly souvenirs.
Now is the perfect time to fuel-up the car and head for the Central Coast to experience these magical creatures first-hand.
These vibrant orange beauties vacation in California mid-October to mid-February.
To see this many butterflies in one place is an awe-inspiring experience for all ages.
Unfortunately, the monarch butterfly populations are dwindling due to habitat destruction in Mexico and the use of genetically altered plants and insecticides in the U.
S.
People can help by planting milkweed in their gardens at home.
Milkweed is what monarchs feed on and they will find it - even in the middle of a city.
You can pick up milkweed seeds at the parks listed above and draw monarchs to your own backyard next winter.