Sea lions have taken over San Carlos Beach this year, prompting the city of Monterey to close it down to visitors.

Sea lion sightings are uncommon this time of year, but they typically don’t congregate at San Carlos Beach. Monterey city officials have been working with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the city’s Parks Division to come up with a solution and will keep the beach closed at least until the sea lions move on.

“They’re normally not at San Carlos Beach, but it is normal behavior for them to come here from the Channel Islands,” said Lori Huelga, communications manager for Monterey.

“They’re just here on holiday, having a good time resting and eating.”

The entrance to the beach is barricaded off, for the safety of the sea lions and the public.

“Everyone seems to be really understanding that we have to share the area with other species, so we’re just managing it until the sea lions decide it’s time to go back,” Huelga said.

Locals and tourists came out in droves to catch a sighting of the sea lions and take pictures. This week’s sunny weather even brought out California locals from the Bay Area.

“We came all the way from Sacramento, I’ve been wanting to go to the beach for so long and it was a surprise to get the sea lions too,” said Kelly Brown, who visited with Troy Brown. The two said even though they had a beach day planned, seeing the sea lions was even better.

“This is a lot of fun,” Troy Brown said. “We’re happy to see them.”

Locals pulled up with their families and spent the day at the park in addition to taking in the sea lions sunbathing, playing with each other, and of course, the loud barks.

“We don’t mind the beach being closed, we came out here to see them today,” said Brian Riddle from Seaside. “I think it’s cool.”

Though barricaded off, the sea lions were close enough to passersby for nice photos.

“I don’t know any different than to look out for them. I think this is more of what Monterey stands for, it’s a highly populated area, but it can still provide sanctuary for wildlife,” said Elizabeth Davis, from London.

She and her family visit Monterey yearly for her husband’s wildlife photography exhibition. “This is amazing to see, I hope they return in the future. I would love to see a permanent sanctuary for them.”One of the benefits of visiting the Monterey Peninsula is the vast coast and the number of opportunities to see the beach, which many visitors say is a plus for outdoor enthusiasts.

“I love that we have to deal with the seals,” said Connie Calero from Minnesota.

“I know some surfers are sad about it, but they can find another beach.”