Beach goers at a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/west/california" target="_blank">cove in California</a> made a run for it after two sea lions seemingly charged at people on the shore.

A video shared by Instagram user @whoisjaphet shows two sea lions taking over the beach amid summer crowds at rocky La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California, on Sunday, July 23.

"Please give that large, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/science/wild-nature/mammals" target="_blank">male sea lion</a> plenty of room," a lifeguard can be heard saying over a loudspeaker. "They have bitten people, and they are protected animals."

After the lifeguard made the announcement, some cautious beach goers began to pack up and trudge up the rocky coastline. Others - trying to get close-up pictures of the sea lion - bided their time until the approximately 600 lb. aquatic mammal charged out of the water, towards people.

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<div class="m" data-v-1fd77e21=""><picture data-v-1fd77e21=""><source media="(max-width: 767px)"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)"> <img src="https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/07/California-sea-lions-charge-towards-tourists-at-beach-cove-1.jpg" alt="Sea lion charges people at cove in San Diego" width="100%" height="auto"></picture></div> <div class="info" data-v-1fd77e21=""><div class="caption" data-v-1fd77e21=""><p data-v-1fd77e21=""><span data-v-1fd77e21="">In a video shared by Instagram user @whoisjaphet, a sea lion is seen scattering a busy San Diego, California beach after it charged towards the shoreline.</span> <span data-v-1fd77e21="">(@whoisjaphet / LOCAL NEWS X /TMX)</span></p></div></div>

Another aggressive sea lion is seen launching out of the water, with surprising agility, and barking loudly - causing beach goers to shriek and quickly leave the cove.

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<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/travel/general/beach" target="_blank">No beach goers</a> were hurt in the incident.

San Diego posted multiple signs in the area last year that warn visitors not to approach <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/science/wild-nature" target="_blank"><u>sea lions at the cove.</u></a>

<div class="m" data-v-1fd77e21=""><picture data-v-1fd77e21=""><source media="(max-width: 767px)"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)"> <img src="https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/07/California-sea-lions-charge-towards-tourists-at-beach-cove.jpg" alt="A second sea lion that charged out of the water onto the beach" width="100%" height="auto"></picture></div> <div class="info" data-v-1fd77e21=""><div class="caption" data-v-1fd77e21=""><p data-v-1fd77e21=""><span data-v-1fd77e21="">Another sea lion is seen repeatedly barking at beach goers at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California.</span> <span data-v-1fd77e21="">(@whoisjaphet / LOCAL NEWS X /TMX)</span></p></div></div>

Signs read "Stay back: Sea lion birthing area" and "Do not approach mothers or pups." Others, like the lifeguard, cautioned that sea lions can bite and that harassing them is against the law.

<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/west/california" target="_blank"><u>Southern California’s beaches</u></a> and coves may see an increase in sea lions from May through July as the animals enter breeding season, according to the&nbsp;Dolphin Research Center.

<div class="author-bio"><p>Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a writer on the breaking news team for Fox News Digital. You can reach her on Twitter at @s_rumpfwhitten.</p></div>

People at a cove in San Diego, California, were startled after two large sea lions charged towards the beach and began loudly barking at beachgoers.{ai:summary}<p>Sea lions cause chaos at a crowded California beach, forcing beach goers to flee as the animals charge towards them. The incident highlights the need to give sea lions space and respect their protected status. #outdoors</p>