In February we say goodbye to the delicate monarch butterflies that grace the Pismo State Beach each winter. The Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of the most spectacular viewing areas in California. The eucalyptus forest, off Highway 1 on the south side of Pismo, provides shelter for the migrating monarchs who cannot tolerate cold winter temperatures. This particular grove hosts one of the largest colonies in the nation with an approximate count on December 31, 2015 of 28,000 monarchs.
Visitors to the grove witness what is called clustering as the monarchs group tightly together. The sight is miraculous as the eucalyptus leaves are covered in a layer of silent orange wings. There are many theories as to why monarchs cluster. Some say they are simply attracted to particular conditions within a given location. Others believe the monarchs benefit from being a part of a group, including protection from predators and shared body heat.