Butterfly Parade | Pacific Grove

The Butterfly Parade in Pacific Grove, CA is one of my favorite things to do in October. This is only our third year attending and we love it! When my family moved to Pacific Grove a few years ago we originally attended because it happened to be taking place during our trip and my nephews would be walking in the parade. Ever since, it’s been a must each season.

Some people have asked why a butterfly parade? Well, each October the Monarch butterfly’s migrate to Pacific Grove! So for the weeks leading up to it the town celebrates and they “welcome” the butterflies with the parade and bazaar. It has a small town feel and has a lot of Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow feels. If you know me you know I’m a big fan. It’s also just a lot of fun to see Sawyer dress up in her butterfly wings and run around with her cousins.

Visit Pacific Grove

My parents moved to Pacific Grove, CA over a year ago. It’s been so much fun visiting them in a place we already had so many memories growing up. Visiting them over the last year it has been so much fun making more memories and not to mention making memories with my little family. 

For the past two years we have celebrated my birthday by attending the Butterfly Bazaar and Parade my nephews participate in. If you didn’t know, Pacific Grove is known for their abundance of Monarch Butterflies. Every fall they celebrate the return of the Monarch in October and it has easily become my favorite way to celebrate my birthday. It has a very Stars Hallow vibe - I love it a lot.

This trip we went to hang with my family before my nephews start school in August. We spent time at the beach which Sawyer loved and was very brave to get in the ice cold water. We made our way to Cannery Row on Friday and shopped. My parents even watched the kids while Aaron and I got our first date night since our anniversary in April. Before we went back to the 100 + heat we took the kids to the Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey. It was our first time and it definitely lives up to the hype. 

Some of my favorite things while traveling to PG. 

• Stop at Casa De Fruta. What started as a fruit stand has turned into a full on attraction over the decades and is perfect for restless toddlers.

• My favorite beach in Pacific Grove is hands down Lover’s Point. It’s a small cove that is great for kids and families to enjoy the sun when it peaks out in the afternoon. When it’s “off season” it’s quiet in the mornings. 

• The Grill at Lovers Point- amazing for a quick treat of when you forgot to pack a picnic for the beach. Be sure to bring cash. 

• Monterey Bay Aquarium is definitely a must if you’re looking for something to keep you entertained all afternoon. 

• Revival Ice Cream. We stopped there after grabbing dinner at Alvarado Street Brewery (a definite favorite as well), and it’s so incredible. They have vegan options and even vegan ice cream cones. 

• Dennis the Menace Park for kids of all ages. There is really something for everyone! My kids are 2 1/2 years old and 12 months old and they both played so much and were sad to leave.

It’s always hard to drive back to the Central Valley summer. Pacific Grove is crisp and cool in the Summer time making it perfect for escaping the heat.