Day Trippin': Here's a Short, Free Trip for the Kids

Written by Brad Kava

It's Monarch Mania in Santa Cruz as the colorful butterflies have returned to their winter home at Natural Bridges State Park.

The number of orange and black flutterers is up over last year, according to Ranger Alyse Lui, from 1,200 and change to over 5,000. However, it's nothing like back in the heyday a decade ago, when 100,000 Monarchs took over the park.

They come from Colorado and the Pacific Northwest. They can fly 3,000 miles. This year's Monarchs are the great-great grandchildren of the ones who were here last year.

P.S.: No, Monarchs don't have ears, despite the signs asking people to shhhh. However, Lui said, lower-toned voices cast vibrations they can feel and may spook them. A cell phone or high pitched voice would have no effect, she said. 

Here's the information about the park: It costs $10 to park a car in the park.