Bay Nature has an article on the top three butterfly spots in the Bay Area. They are
- Mitchell Canyon Trail/ Mount Diablo State Park, Clayton, CA April, May & June Enter the park through Mitchell Canyon Road. The trail towards Donner Summit will give you so many opportunities, you’ll be swapping out batteries in an hour: Common Buckeyes, Northern Checkerspots and Pale Tigers flit about. Walk to the White Canyon trail split part-way up and you’ll be parallel with a Buckeye Tree canopy – the main gas station for all Bay Area butterflies when these trees are in bloom.
- Alum Rock Park, San Jose, CA February-March Walk west about 2 miles in and the slopes just might reveal the Sonoran Blue, considered by many to be the most beautiful small butterfly in North America. You may find an array of other spring species as well.
- Alemany Farm, San Francisco, CA An educational park/farm for city kids open to the public. I’ve seen 18 species there in an afternoon. Huge Buddleia bush positions many for good shots.
Also mentioned were the butterfly houses at Six Flags Amusement Park/Vallejo and Cal Academy of Sciences in San Francisco
Read full article at Ask the Naturalist: Best spots to photograph Bay Area butterflies? – Bay Nature.
Natural History Wanderings 
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