A natural phenomenon is playing out on Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica.

The sand on the popular surfing spot is littered with thousands of jellyfish.

On Tuesday, KRON4 talked to a local expert about what’s causing this to happen.

Beachgoers need to watch where they step on the sand of Linda Mar Beach right now because these little gelatinous critters are everywhere.

Surfers say there are even more out in the water.

“They’re all over the beach and there tons in the water you can’t paddle without hitting 10 jellyfish they’re everywhere”

People who came out to cool off from the inland heat are marveling at the sight.

“It’s a little freaky and a little exciting at the same time,” one beachgoer said.

One mom and her budding scientist have collected some to dissect them and learn more about the sea creatures.

“I think it’s kind of sad because all of them died also but also very interesting,” the beachgoer’s son said.

The executive director of the Marine Science Institute, Marilou Seiff, says these are moon jellies, which are very common around the world. They can travel in the millions in groups referred to as blooms.  

But having so many blown up on shore there is not common. She can only remember it happening a few times this century.

She says it’s a natural phenomenon that has nothing to do with global warming.

“Because jellies are not swimmers like fish, they can’t swim against the current so they just float, so when you get the onshore occurrence and the onshore winds combining, you get these blooms of jellies, and I’m sure they can’t swim to get away,” Seiff said. “The biggest get loaded onto the beach.”

The good news is that this is a very benign species of jellyfish. They don’t have the kind of toxins in their tentacles that will cause severe pain if they sting you out in the water.

In fact, most people who get stung may not even feel it.

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