The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is my favorite museum in Southern California and has been around since 1916. The museum beautifully showcases the surroundings of Santa Barbara from the Native American Chumash, bird & mammal halls as well as marine and plant life. The beautiful grounds run along Mission Creek. With 3.5 million specimens in its extensive collection, there is something to delight everyone during its Centennial Celebration.
#231 Santa Barbara Shores County Park
Santa Barbara Shores County Park preserves what the wild coast here has looked like for thousands of years. Easy trails wind to sandy beach with views of the Channel Islands while the Santa Ynez Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop. The park is also home to the Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove each winter from November to February where thousands of butterflies come to roost. The highest amount ever recorded was 48,000!
#165 Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is a beautiful landscaped garden in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. It contains 2,000 species of plants native to California and has 58 acres of beautiful trails. From Joshua Trees to Torrey Pines, there is great diversity for every interest.
#110 Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove
The Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach is one of the most spectacular sights on the Central Coast. Each year thousands and thousands of monarch butterflies travel south to roost for the winter. They blend right into the eucalyptus trees which provide shelter. This is one of the largest colonies in the nation with up to 25,000 butterflies. Enjoy them at Pismo State Beach from November to February.
