Butterflies ARE Free: Monarch’s of the Central Coast

Butterflies: the wallflower of the insect world - I mean, who really notices these little floating soundless works of art? But these beautiful little creatures undergo one of the most amazing transformations from caterpillar to butterfly, something that I witness every year with the butterflies in my back yard. The Central Coast is home to three Monarch Butterfly Preserves where you can get up close, and somewhat personal with these beauties. And if you know little about them, I use this case study from my own yard in Santa Barbara, where my wife and I have specifically cultivated butterflies by planting milkweed. Eggs hatch on the milkweed plants, and the caterpillars consume, actually nearly decimate, the milkweed plant for food, all leaves and even stems. When ready the caterpillars find a place to spin their cocoon, and then form into butterflies, then return to lay eggs on the milkweed plant. It’s a cool cycle you can make happen in your yard.

In 2014 I noticed that after monitoring the caterpillars, one had decided to spin its cocoon on the doorjamb of the doorway into my garage. What astounded me was the trek this little guy made. From the milkweed plant it is 18-feet and 4-inches across my erratic, pot-holed lawn. From there he needed to climb up a 5-inch concrete rise to get to the top of the flagstone deck. Crossing the flagstone is another 9-feet and 3-inches to get to the garage door. Then he climbs straight up the door 8-feet, moves over 1-foot to settle comfortable (we hope) in the dead center of the top of the doorjamb. If you tally that up, it’s a total of 37 feet - a hell of a journey. What possess them I have no idea. Certainly some make their cocoon closer than this, but this is a reminder that nature offers a spectacular lesson if we choose to notice the small things. With a typical lifespan of a paltry 2 to 6 weeks (some live 6 months) when you see them, remind yourself of the singular beauty of life, the intense but short life stages they go through, and that the will to survive is strong. So wing on over to one of these Central Coast spots to take a closer look and be astonished by the world around you.

There he is! Smack dab in the middle of the garage door!

San Luis Obispo:

The largest butterfly preserve on the Central Coast is the Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove (Highway 1 just south of North Pismo State Beach Campground, 805/473-7220), which sees the return of butterflies each November through February when tens of thousands of Monarch’s migrate to this small grove of eucalyptus trees near the beach to mate. On average there are about 30,000 of these silent winged creatures and the trees are often transformed into brilliant shades of orange after their 2,000 mile journey to get here. Docents staff the area and give brief but fascinating talks about the butterflies and their very unique but short lives. It’s free to walk into the grove, free to hear the docents and there’s a short boardwalk that leads to the beach near a large picnic area where you hit the low sand dunes and cypress trees near the waters edge. Parking is along the side of the road so use caution when crossing as this is a busy street. Monarchbutterfly.org

This beauty just came out in my backyard

Santa Barbara:

Monarchs are usually found in Goleta from mid-November through mid-February and docents are available on weekends from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. during these months. This is the smallest of the three groves and is available for viewing every day during daylight hours and it’s free. The Goleta Butterfly Grove (Ellwood Main) is in the Sperling Preserve on the Ellwood Mesa in Goleta, just north of downtown Santa Barbara. Free parking is available. Goleta Butterfly

The grove in Pacific Grove, near Monterey

Monterey:

The Pacific Grove Monarch Preserve (1073 Ridge Rd., Pacific Grove) is located behind a salmon-colored butterfly-themed motel. There are, on average, about 10,000 butterflies that come here yearly, and why not, Pacific Grove is stunningly beautiful! The best time to view these silent creatures is October through March. There’s usually a docent on hand to answer questions and explain about the short life of these amazing creatures. There is a free street parking nearby and the grove is free to enter. Pacific Grove Butterfly

Also from my backyard. Absolutely stunning!

Everybody’s Gone Surfin’



The Rincon

You may not surf, but that doesn’t mean that a visit to the Central Coast should be devoid of surfing. The surf culture is iconic at the Rincon, that long right break straddling Santa Barbara and Ventura counties but it doesn’t matter where you go, from Ventura to the Hearst Castle, you’ll see surfers everywhere.

Best Surf Spots

The Rincon is the Central Coast’s most famous surfing landmark; a small thin strip of land with a large point, hence the long right break. In the early 1920s a road was built to connect Ventura to Santa Barbara as there was barely much room there since the cliffs plunged directly into the Pacific Ocean. At first the Rincon was built of rustic logs, then wood planks, but they kept getting washed away by the pounding surf. Finally Highway 101 was built, though as you drive it, you understand how little room there is between the cliffs and ocean. Much of the Rincon portion of the highway still abuts the water and during storms, it’s common to have the ocean splashing over onto the highway, soaking cyclists and drivers alike. But this is surf central.



Lakey Peterson



Santa Barbara native and 2011 USA Surf Team member Lakey Peterson says; “Rincon is unbelievable to have in my back yard, and all the right hand points are so fun. I’ve grown up at the Rincon my whole life, and you get to know everyone. I love home in the winter - that’s when we get our ground swells, and when it’s good here it’s unbelievable.” And she should know: she’s been in the water since forever and you can check her out in Nike’s latest surf film, “Leave a Message.” (http://www.lakeypeterson.com/) Wintertime is when the Rincon is at its best as north and west swells sweep in, wrap around the shallow cobble point and peel off with an almost predictable evenness around the bend. To access the Rincon, exit at Bates Road from the north or south off Highway 101 and head south to the parking lots. There’s a small gate that leads down a path behind several residences, which drops you at the rocky beach. If you head to your right you’ll get towards the point and you can jump in the water.

Surfers are a protective lot; they don’t want you horning in on their special breaks. Nonetheless, Santa Barbara has many prime surf spots. The best time to surf is in the winter and after that, the fall. The primary swells are from storms in the North Pacific which generate waves as they approach the West Coast. Spring swells tend to be wind generated and often less powerful.

C Street in the morning

Ventura

C Street is the nickname for California Street, which is near what is commonly called Surfers Point at Seaside. For surfers, it’s simply referred to as “C Street.” Early mornings are favored for surfers in this spot close to the pier. There are three distinct zones along this mile long stretch of beach. At the point is the Pipe, with some pretty fast short breaks. Moving down the beach is the Stables which continues with the right breaks, with a low shoulder, and then you have C Street breaking both right and left.



Leadbetter Beach and Point



Santa Barbara

Leadbetter Point near City College is small, fun, easy waves and good for beginners. There are a lot of peaks along this small right point break. Take

Cabrillo Blvd.

past Stearns Wharf and turn left into the pay parking lot. Campus Point at UCSB is a small right point break with a small beach break and the cliffs lead west to Devereux Point, another right with many peaks. It gets crowded sometimes as students simply cross the street from their dorms and hit the waves.



Catching the waves in Pismo

Pismo Beach

The Pier is one of the more popular spots and the waves peak on the beach and also on the south side of the pier. Generally there are beautifully shaped waves though they are likely to section on you, but you can still catch a long ride from time to time.

Surf Classes

If surfing is new to you or you want to brush up on your skills, in Santa Barbara, Surf Happens Surf School (http://www.surfhappens.com/) will teach you the basics individually, as a couple, or even for a team building exercise. Surf Class (www.surfclass.com) in Ventura teaches everyone from novice landlubbers to rusty shredders. Their two hour classes limit class sizes for individual attention. They will also teach you surf etiquette and lingo. The Ventura Surf School (www.venturasurfschool.com) will also teach you to surf and they offer a week log surf camp as well. They provide classes for just kids too. If you just need gear, swing by Seaward Surf and Sport (http://www.seawardsurf.com/) which is the place to go to buy or rent most anything for the water. Bikinis, body boards, sunglasses, wetsuits. They are a half a block from the beach so you can rent, then jump directly in the water.



Everyone surfs, even these winemakers from the Central Coast!