Natural Bridges State Beach

At Natural Bridges State Beach visitors can explore tidepools, wetlands, marine protected areas, and a grove of eucalyptus trees known to Santa Cruz locals and people throughout the world for sheltering thousands of Monarch butterflies each fall and winter.

Experience the lifecycle of these majestic insects at various times of the year . The visitor center and butterfly garden hosts milkweed plants which are essential to the survival of Monarchs. Monarch butterfly eggs and caterpillars can be found on these milkweed plants in the garden and visitor center. Observe Monarch caterpillars hatching out of their egg, eating milkweed leaves, and turning into a chrysalis. Discover the world of Monarch butterflies while walking through the Monarch Butterfly Nature Reserve. Travel along the Monarch butterfly migration route using digital maps while discussing why Monarch butterflies call Natural Bridges State Beach home.

***PLEASE NOTE*** Available programs from September – January are focused on Monarch Butterflies. Programs from February – June are focused on tide pool habitats.

Keep reading to discover our On-Demand programs and K-12 educational resources from Natural Bridges State Beach!