Sea Lion Party at San Carlos Beach in Monterey

Sea Lions Take Over San Carlos Beach in Monterey

San Carlos Beach is closed for this massive, sea lion beach party. They’re back from the Channel Islands, mostly male animals, in this pulsing mob of social, gregarious, pungent, loud, playful, and wonderful pinnipeds.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

“… the annual phenomenon, which usually occurs closer to Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. The region provides a resting point between the sea lions’ breeding grounds in Southern California and the waters of Northern California, the video explained.

The pinnipeds are taking advantage of the fish-rich waters of Monterey Bay before continuing their journey. They generally follow food along the shoreline during the day and camp out on the beach at night, according to Lisa Uttal, spokesperson for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.”

From Voice of America:

“[Lisa] Uttal explained that the seals move to the northern coast from Ventura and the Channel Islands. “They are incredibly mobile. They’re usually chasing the food.” She noted that the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has many different kinds of sea life. Uttal expects the sea lions to remain on San Carlos Beach for three to four weeks.

Marge Brigadier is a volunteer with Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s Bay Net program. She said people should not get too close to the sea lions or try to make them move away. The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 is the law that prevents people from harming them.

“People just need to think about how they would feel if they were resting on their bed taking a nap and something big kept coming and chasing them out of the house,” Brigadier said.