Watch: High surf warnings issued in California as massive waves hit coastal cities

Massive waves and flooding hit California's coastal areas for the third day on Saturday. The unusually large surf--towering over 20 ft--has prompted beach closures along the California coast hitting beachside streets, homes and businesses.

With high surf warnings in effect, all the beachside shops and restaurants will remain shut on New Year’s eve. Waves between 20 to 25 ft is expected to hit the region on Saturday.

In Ventura County, one of the worst hit region, waves have surged over seawalls and carried parked cars down the street.

High water and dangerous rip currents have been besieging much of the West coast from southern California to Oregon since Thursday. The unusual waves were caused by series of powerful storms that have been making their way ashore from the Pacific Ocean.

Warnings were sounded as waves slamming into California's Bay Area may peak at 40 feet- about the size of a telephone pole- and others are expected to hit 28 to 33 feet.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles said the “Beaches, piers, vulnerable harbors should NOT be considered safe”.

The Ventura county, along with Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes beaches, face the most extreme surf on Saturday and are at risk for significant coastal flooding.

In the wake of the powerful Pacific swell, emergency barriers were constructed along the Pierpont area of Ventura city. We have had water down the lane once before but never like this, said Karris Kutivan, a 9-year resident of the scenic shoreline city about 60 miles (97 kilometres) northwest of Los Angeles.

According to authorities, eight people were taken to various hospitals for treatment of injuries after the Pierpont incident.

The Los Angeles-area weather office wrote that powerful cyclones over northern Pacific waters were sending 12- to 17-foot (3.6- to 5-metre) swells, creating tremendous wave energy across coastal waters.