WHERE TO SEE MONARCHS IN CALIFORNIA
Selected Monarch Overwintering
Sites to Visit for the Winter of 2005/06
Most monarchs that arrived in late October in the Southwest, south of Los Angeles,
moved Northwest along the coast to cooler temperatures because of the warm
Santa Ana conditions. We have higher populations of Monarchs this year from
Ventura to Marin Counties than the previous six years. Camp Pendleton has the
highest population in San Diego County (830 monarchs), whereas other sites
in the County only have a few monarchs. Below are population estimates based
on the Annual Thanksgiving Count. For specific directions to the sites e-mail
The Monarch Program.
Statewide Overwintering Population as of December 10, 2005
Sonoma County (Julie West) 0
Marin County (Mia Monroe, Dave
MacKenzie)
Bolinas - Alder 300
Bolinas - Purple Gate 200
Muir Beach 63
other Marin sites unoccupied
San Francisco (Mia Monroe) 0
Alameda
San Leandro Golf Course (Adrienne DuPont) 10,000
Alameda Golf Course (Pat Meyer) 2,000
Ardenwood (Jan Southworth) 2500
Santa Cruz (Martha Nitzberg)
Natural Bridges 6-8,000
East Branciforte 48
Lake Moran 1500-2000
Rispin 11
Escalona 15
Potbelly 617
Rio del Mar 700
Lighthouse Fields 22,000
Monterey County (Jessica Griffiths)
Pacific Grove 14,120
George Washington Park, a few
Point Lobos SR, a few
Andrew Molera SP 12,450
(San Luis Obispo County is not listed at this time, however Pismo State Beach is a good site to visit)
Santa Barbara (David and Chris Lange,
David Marriott)
Ellwood Main and nearby sites 55,000
Carpinteria Creek 4,400
Ventura (David Marriott)
Arrundel Barranca 5,200
Harbor Blvd. 3,300
Camino Real Park 6,400
Orange (David Marriott)
San Clemente State Park 110
Golden West College 140
Huntington Central Park 450
2002 - 2003 season: There were very few butterflies. Read why here.