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Natural Bridges Monarch Trail in Santa Cruz

Name: Natural Bridges Monarch Trail in Santa Cruz
Address: 2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, California, 95060, US
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.6

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4.6 (351)

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Natural Bridges Monarch Trail is a park in Santa Cruz, CA.

Natural Bridges Monarch Trail Review Summary

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4.6

(351 Reviews)

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Mini Rag -Local Guide

3 years ago

Sadly there are fewer 🦋 to see, still a lovely place to go - especially if you have kids. Between 1200 - 1500 hrs is the best, and be patient. If you look carefully at the trees, you might also spot an owl (walk all...Read More

Jeff B (Jeffery) -Local Guide

2 years ago

Visited in early February 2022 and found out it was a bit too late in the season to see tons of monarch butterfly, however we were not totally disappointed. We were blessed with see 10's of butterflies 🦋 in certain areas, along...Read More

Lisa W -Local Guide

11 months ago

Such an amazing place to visit! I brought my daughters here for the first time for the monarch butterfly migration--they were thrilled to see SO MANY of these beauties flitting about! There is a great little Visitor's Center--educational and fun. Plus, a gift shop that...Read More

Himani gupta -Local Guide

2 years ago

Love this place.Went on Sunday, reach there around 10 not too crowded, very small trail to watch monarch butterflies (best time to visit September to November), signs are everywhere, kids friendly, dogs are not allowed. We enjoyed a lot, went for little hiking, great place...Read More

Keith Wandry

a year ago

See the Monarchs and also explore. Beautiful raised garden behind the Visitor Center is great for not only the plants/flowers but the butterflies/insects attracted to them. If you look carefully you might also see birds, as well as lizards and other critters. ...Read More

Joanne Lee -Local Guide

a year ago

My friend and I walked along the wooden bridges / trail leading to the area where the monarch butterflies flew up among the tree tops.Some were grouped and hung off tree branches. They were so lovely to watch at.Update Sep 2023: visited the beach on...Read More

Alan Bielefeldt -Local Guide

a year ago

Note to self, always research the monarch butterfly migration to go at the right time. We were told when we arrived, they are here, Nov - Feb of each year, and then moved to North East. So, unfortunately, we didn't see any butterflies...Read More

mediscover style -Local Guide

4 years ago

Timing is critical when visiting this place. When we visited the monarch butterfly population was quite low. The place is just north of Santa Cruz and easy to reach. There is a parking lot but it requires fee and in busy season it could get...Read More

Shannon Thomas -Local Guide

a month ago

This park right off the coast is a fantastical place for most, including children. Lots to do and see here including beach access, tide pooling, picnic areas, a nature center and gift shop, hiking trails and ample parking. I came to see the monarchs as...Read More

Liz Donut -Local Guide

11 months ago

I went here twice in 11/2023 and 12/2023. The day was colder on Nov, the butterflies were mainly cluttered on the trees and fluttering in one area. For Dec, the day was much warmer and the butterflies were everywhere in the skies!The images and videos...Read More

Omer Bin Abdul Aziz -Local Guide

a year ago

Good thing about the place is the volunteer guides that help explain the intricate details of the monarchs - why they migrate and why they come to Santa Cruz. Their effort is worth mentioning and praising.As for the butterflies, we visited in end October'23...Read More

Varun Gupta -Local Guide

a year ago

Great spot on Santa Cruz trip to watch thousands of butterflies migrating from Canada.Amazing to see their life story. Very relaxing and calm place. Good for small kids with a very short trail and a beach close by

Maria Dawson

a year ago

Great beach park, easy free parking just outside the entrances, or for a fee on site. Picnic tables, tide pools, and nice short trails to see monarch butterflies (fall/winter).Restrooms: Available and clean

Nelson Bradley -Local Guide

3 years ago

Great spot to visit to see and learn about monarch butterflies. We only saw a handful in early January, but it's a quiet and good to explore with a young family as the trail is very short and mostly stroller friendly. Masks required on the...Read More

Georgia

3 years ago

Great area must see. Check out migrating Monarchs...from October to Jan or later. This location is one of their West Coast sites. This year 2500 in roost when I was there. Depending on weather issues some years up to 20000. Excellent...Read More

Cris P -Local Guide

a month ago

The monarchs were there today 11/14/24! We also saw a Stellar's jay and a woodpecker (not sure what kind, possibly acorn), as well as two Towsend's warblers that almost fell on our heads! At least that's what I think they were, but was unable to...Read More

Janet Jansen

10 months ago

Butterflies, eucalyptus grove, beach walk, and tide pools! Loved having the naturalist share their wisdom and viewing scope at the butterfly platform. It’s worth the $10 to park.Restrooms: Grateful there were bathrooms at the visitors center!

Christina Raiburn

2 years ago

We love this place!Signs are everywhere, be quiet while walking or standing in the monarch’s space.We went last weekend again and people were talking relatively loud for quiet signs being all over.Also, don’t just stop and stand conversing in the middle of the walkway. Find...Read More

Josh Tunks -Local Guide

2 years ago

The trail is in Natural Bridges State Park and is easy to get to if you park near the visitors center. Quiet and peaceful, a close place to go to take a break from the city. We went late March, not many butterflies were still...Read More

Alexandra Queen -Local Guide

2 years ago

This year (Nov 2022) there were 7200 Monarchs. ❤️ It's a subtle experience, but a wonderful one. I'm lucky enough to have a kid patient enough to wait on a trail silently until the animals say "heck" and go about their business. We watched butterflies...Read More

Zac -Local Guide

a year ago

Judy M. Dunham -Local Guide

a month ago

You have to check for when the butterflies arrive. Then look closely high in the trees.Restrooms: SeveralPicnic area: Several

Joel Dedrick -Local Guide

a year ago

A wonderful experience. Volunteers were knowledgeable and friendly. If you're in this area in the right time of year, don't miss this!One hour, easy parking ($10), a boardwalk, so even those who aren't very mobile can enjoy it. Bring binoculars if you...Read More

kaliador18 -Local Guide

a year ago

Bring scopes, binoculars, long camera lenses! The butterflies are far too far away to see clearly. For young families, go visit the tidepools instead. Impatient youngsters won’t get much out of this very short trail. Even the ones in flight are generally up in the...Read More

K Sparrow

2 years ago

Such a beautiful place to visit. Especially if you have good timing. Good timing to see the visiting Monarch Butterflies. My timing this year was off. I was too early in the season and then most recently, to late. Anyhow, when the butterflies...Read More

Rebeca Armendariz -Local Guide

2 years ago

We visited late Sunday afternoon and were able to find parking close by and see large beautiful clusters of butterflies! There were also dozens of butterflies fluttering around. The only distraction was rude attendees not abiding by the numerous signs asking them to whisper or...Read More

Brian DiGiorgio Zanger -Local Guide

5 years ago

One of the best places to visit during the winter in Santa Cruz. At peak season in November and December, there are literally thousands of monarch butterflies that are easily visible from the boardwalk trail down from the parking lot. The visitor center runs tours...Read More

Iama Techie -Local Guide

8 years ago

The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary just behind the beach is like a ghostly cathedral of eucalyptus and pine trees with their aromas mixed in with the cool ocean scents. Except for the cries of delight from school children, the sanctuary was a place where adults would...Read More

Tina Barnes -Local Guide

5 years ago

Natural Bridges Monarch trail is a very nice clean trail. We have been here a couple of times. We saw butterflies every time. They are in the trees and fly above. We saw a momma and two baby deer in the...Read More

G Um

4 years ago

Keys to seeing more flying Monarch butterflies:-sunny Winter weather above 60 degrees fahrenheit (some time in October to January is when they are here primarily, though you may find some still in February - check recent reviews though some don't look up enough and leave...Read More

Richard Bernhardt -Local Guide

4 years ago

Becoming rarer each year, the Natural Bridges State Park is home to the migrating Monarch butterfly. Each year they appear by the thousands. Recent fires, droughts and climate change his reduced their numbers dramatically. Still an amazing opportunity and natural phenomenon. ...Read More

Features

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible entrance

Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Activities

Hiking

Amenities

Picnic tables

Public restroom

Children

Good for kids

Kid-friendly hikes

Pets

Dogs allowed

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Natural Bridges Monarch Trail in Santa Cruz

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Natural Bridges Monarch Trail Review Summary