At least eight people were hospitalized when gigantic waves wreaked havoc across coastal California towns on Thursday, as powerful storms hovered over the Pacific Ocean.

Daring residents ignored evacuation orders and flocked to the beaches to watch the epic show of the waves crashing, but some were too close as the monstrous formations broke over the seawalls.

A rogue wave swept approximately 20 beachgoers at Pierpont Beach around 11 a.m. in Ventura.

The city of Ventura captured the moment the water breached the concrete barrier and knocked down the vulnerable spectators as two drivers attempted to escape the wave.

Waves in Ventura reached up to 20 feet as residents also faced “life-threatening rip currents.”

Officials closed roads to the beach as a means to deter other onlookers from entering the dangerous areas.

In another video, obtained by KSBW, two kids were enjoying the sights of the roaring ocean in Santa Cruz when a giant wave crashed over the railing and wiped the two powerless children away.