Adult Sea Lion Takes Break on Ventura Beach

VENTURA —  An adult California sea lion came ashore in front of the Holiday Inn in downtown Ventura on Sunday afternoon and took a nap on the sand before inching back toward the water shortly before dinner time.

To protect the well-fed brown mammal while it sunned, state lifeguards and volunteers from the county animal control office taped off a large area surrounding the sea lion and posted a small “Do Not Disturb” sign.

“We’re letting nature take its course and letting her do her natural thing,” Lifeguard George Kabris said of the female sea lion.

The sea lion came ashore about 2 p.m. and relaxed on and off while shooing away pesky sea gulls and curious kids.

The mammal sat up on its hind flippers several times and posed for dozens of people who stopped to watch while walking on the boardwalk in front of the hotel.

Animal control volunteers said the sea lion is probably about 3 or 4 years old and weighs around 140 pounds. It appeared healthy and strong.

Although it is fairly common to see young sea lions on the beach, this is the first adult one that has shown up in several months, animal control volunteers said.

Sea lions are land mammals and often come ashore to dry off and rest, volunteers said. About 250 a year come ashore in Ventura County, according to volunteers.