67Steffen.com

I was walking along the rocky coastline yesterday that separates Carmel River State Beach and Monastery Beach when I saw a sea lion on land, about 30 feet from the ocean. At first I thought this large mammal was under stress. I even called the Marine Mammal Center which rescues sea lions, seals and otters that are sick or injured. But it turns out this sea lion was simply curious, or that is what the center rescue team told me.

Sometimes at night I can hear sea lions sounding off, but this is the first time I’ve seen one on a beach other than at Point Lobos.