goleta butterfly grove

After years of hearing about the seasonal monarchs, I went mid-day for the short and easy (mostly flat) hike. The trail is dog friendly (on leash). It's about 1/2 mile to the grove from the parking lot. February appears to be a good time to go - I saw hundreds upon hundreds of butterflies. It's an incredibly magical spot to sit and watch them. This hike would be enjoyable even when the butterflies are off-season, but definitely worth a visit during this time of year. It looked like there were additional paths to extend your hike or just explore the woods as well. I drove north on the 101 and the exit and signs for the grove were very well marked and easy to follow. There is also an outhouse bathroom in the parking lot.

It's a great place to see a lot of monarch butterflies all in one place. Also a great place to just walk around in the woods. It's close to the cliffs by the beach also

The walk to the Butterfly Groves starts at the Ellwood Bluff Park parking lot across from the elementary school (2 minute drive). This is a 15 minute walk from the Bacara Resort along the road. The trail to the beach bluffs first takes you to the Butterfly Groves. We have been told some years the butterflys are more active than others. You can then choose to walk further along to the bluffs to view the ocean. This is a wonderful journey, enjoyable for families.

As we have been visiting friends in Thousand Oaks we planned a side trip to Santa Barbara. After my wife did some research she found that during the months of December and March Goleta was a home for migrating Monarch Butterflies. After a little confusion with various GPS's we were able to find their sanctuary. It was an exceptional day for a hike in January on this very pet friendly trail. My only recommendation would be is to place a Butterfly Grove sign further up Hollister Ave. when you get off 101. IMPORTANT FACT THE MONARCHS HIBERNATE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, DEC-MAR FOR BEST VIEWING .

The butterfly sites up and down the coast are exactly where nature placed them and not a built environment that is chosen for its accessibility. We hear from most that they enjoy the beautiful hike to see these majestic creatures overwinter and we're sorry you didn't have the same experience.

We stayed at the nearby Bacara Resort, a ten minute bike ride away. There are wide trails throughout the butterfly grove that lead to more trails along the coast. It was one of our favorite bike rides. The Monarch butterflies are there in the winter, but we say many small butterflies when we visited in the summer. This is a very beautiful place to run, hike, horseback ride or bike ride.

Very disappointing trip. I expected to see plenty of butterflies, but we only saw 3 after an hour of walking a nature trail. It is a huge waste of time. Do not go.

Have read and heard so much about Monarch migrations over the years and had no idea I would ever be near a preserve to witness this experience. It was such a magical day for us. If you are near the Santa Barbara area any time November - February I would so recommend that you see this.

We're sorry to hear you didn't enjoy the beautiful landscape and beach view that can be seen during the times when the butterflies are in the grove. Nature controls the migration schedule which tends to be between mid-November and mid-February. Perhaps you will have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful sight during one of those months.

In January 2014 there are just a few clumps of butterflies in the preserve, but it is worth the visit. The preserve stretches along the Pacific on one side, so a nice hike around the preserve adds to the experience.

This is one of most unusual places. Butterflies hang from the eucalyptus trees in bunches, looking like leaves by the hundreds. For best time to visit check Monarch butterfly migration, as these butterflies come from Mexico. This is one of the most interesting and unusual things you will see.

Space, personal tranquility, solid walking, freedom to think, freedom to share, butterflies by the hundreds late fall, pelicans that fly in formation overhead, owls at night that greet, and of course the ocean views. Heaven!(Ignore the construction along with the yuppie homes, and you shall enjoy...)

Park in the parking lot across from Ellwood elementary school and follow the well worn path through the eucalyptus grove then follow the signs to the main butterfly grove. The best time to visit is December through March. Thousands of Monarchs rest in huge clusters hanging from the trees. When the sun breaks through and it's warm enough the start to fly and it is magnificent. In winter the best time to see them fly is between 10am-2pm

Nice easy 1/2 mile trail to Monarch butterfly grove and beautiful views of Pacific coast and Channel Islands. Still a few butterflies in March but can't wait to come back in Dec-Feb.

To see this amazing sight visit between December and early March. To see the most visit on a sunny day as they flit around more when it's warm. Park either at the lot across from the elementary school on Hollister and walk in or park on Coronado drive off Hollister and walk in from there. Both places have signs.