Wine Coast Country – Natural Wildlife Winter Migrations

San Luis Obispo coast

Just hours from the metro hubs of California, you can find the beautiful “Wine Coast Country”, located in scenic San Luis Obispo County.

Wine Coast Country stretches between San Simeon to Oceano. The area is well known as the home of one of the most vibrant butterflies found in North America, the Monarch.

Each year, Wine Coast Country hosts a migration of over 25,000 orange and black Monarch butterflies. The Monarch butterflies fill the blue sky and nestle in the mighty eucalyptus trees that line the scenic Pacific Coast.

The unique Wine Coast Country region provides a wide variety of lodging opportunities, in addition to wonderful fine dining restaurants, over 250 wineries, plus numerous outdoor activities up and down the coast.

Along with the winter months come thousands of nature’s migratory species to Wine Coast Country, who want to escape the harsh winters of the north.

An example of the natural wildlife that annually return to the Wine Coast Country region, include: Monarch Butterflies, Elephant Seals, 30 different species of whales and dolphins, plus over 300 species of birds.

Monarch Butterlies

Many of these creatures choose to settle in Wine Coast Country, where the weather is mild and the environment pristine.

This Mecca for migrating wildlife has also become the ideal eco-tour location for the winter months. Many visitors from across the nation and the world arrive in Wine Coast Country to see first hand, these migratory animals as they settle into their new habitats.

In addition, the scenic coastal bays team with the arrival of numerous marine mammals such as, Orcas, Pilot and Humpback Whales, that linger on their journey south to Baja, Mexico.

Visitors to Wine Coast Country can also experience the Annual Celebration of the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. This festival takes place each January and showcases the beauty of the estuary, where over 300 species can be observed.

As you drive further up the coast to beautiful San Simeon, you can find approximately 15,000 mammals, including the Northern Elephant Seal, Mirounga angustirostris.

The Piedras Blancas rookery along coast Hwy 1 has been a prime location for birthing, breeding, molting and rest from their eight months at sea. This particular area is open for viewing 365 days a year. There is no admission fee or reservation required.

For additional information on all Wine Coast Country activities, please visit www.WineCoastCountry.com