Monarch butterfly reserves in Mexico and California

The Monarch butterflies’ beautiful setting-sun-like orange and black hues make them some of the best-recognized insects. One of the best places to see them in full flutter is at Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.

The site, officially known as El Santuario de la Mariposa Monarca (Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary), was just added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. But there are also several California homes for the monarchs. See below for more information. Note that the best time to see these butterflies on North America’s West Coast is in the fall and winter.

Morelia, Mexico a study in beauty and butterflies

Every winter, Michoacan state’s highlands swarm with monarch butterflies. Nearby Morelia charms with its Spanish Colonial architecture.

More: Planning your trip to Morelia | Photos

Chasing the monarch butterflies in California

Here are 10 places up and down the coast to see thousands of migrating monarchs in all their Technicolor glory.

More: Photos of the mighty monarch butterfly

Camping & exploring Ventura’s Point Mugu State Park

Nature in high-def: The viewing is fabulous and full-color at Ventura County’s beachside state park — blue ocean, gray whales, orange and black butterflies and more.

More: Planning your trip to Ventura’s Point Muga State Park

– Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times staff writer

[Photo: Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times]

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 11:43 am by Whitney and is filed under Big Sur, California, California's Central Coast, Carmel, Family & Kids, Mexico, Mexico City, Monterey Peninsula, Morro Bay, National Parks, News, Tips & Advice, Northern California, Outdoors & Adventure, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, San Simeon & Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara, Ventura. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.