Let’s Go to Natural Bridges

By Amy Crelly

October is one of the best times to visit, when thousands of butterflies gather every year in the eucalyptus groves of the California Monarch Butterfly Preserve.

Just one of this park's stunning natural sandstone arches remains (time and tide having witnessed the others' collapse), but the beach still offers beautiful ocean views and sometimes breathtaking glimpses of wildlife (including sea birds, seals, migrating whales, and otters playing offshore). And starting mid-October, over 100,000 monarch butterflies begin gathering for the winter in the shelter of the park's eucalyptus groves. There they hang from the trees in heavy clusters and fill the air with delicate clouds of orange, gold and black. It's a world-renowned sight that's definitely worth the day-trip.

From the beach parking lot ($6/vehicle), it's a short boardwalk jaunt to the Butterfly Preserve. To stroll the 3/4-mile self-guided nature walk, start at the Monarch Trail and head toward Secret Lagoon, where ducks, blue herons, and other birds live. You can also check out the Visitor Center (open daily 10am-4pm), which features special exhibits during monarch season. Or join a Docent Naturalist for a guided tour of the preserve. Hour-long tours of the Monarch Grove are offered to the public on weekends, at 11:00 & 2:00, beginning October 17 this year. No reservations are necessary; just meet at the Visitor Center. The path is wheelchair and stroller-accessible. (Note: if you're going in a group of 10 or more, call 423-4609 to arrange a group tour.)

Further along the beach, autumn's low tide reveals starfish, crabs, anemones, and other colorful ocean creatures in the coastal tide pools. Whether you go on your own or take advantage of the guided tide pool tours available, this adventure can be a great teaching moment for sharing habitat etiquette with kiddos, i.e., "we act like we're inside (even though we're outside) when hanging out with delicate creatures like butterflies or starfish: inside voices, no touching (or just very, very gentle if a grown-up says it's okay), and no throwing things. Even rocks." And, of course, always pack out what you pack in-no more, no less. But rules aside, this trip promises lots of wonder. In fact, moms and dads visiting for the first time are likely to find themselves feeling like kids again.

When your tummies start to grumble, you can picnic on the beach or at the shaded tables off the main parking lot in a grove of eucalyptus and pine trees. If you're heading through Santa Cruz, I highly recommend a side trip to Polar Bear Ice Cream (389 Coral St.): (831) 425-1108. It's just a nine-minute drive from the park. Try their Mexican Chocolate flavor or a Bear Paw (a yummy combo of crispy-thin cookie and creamy sweet ice cream, in a variety of flavors), and I think you'll agree-it's worth a little detour.

Amy Crelly loves living in Midtown and hiking the American River Canyon, but she insists that few things compare to that first whiff of ocean air and the wonder on kids' faces the first time they go tidepooling.