What animal is this?

I was browsing some of my pix and came across this pix taken at Monterey Bay, California. This animal was running in and out of its burrow apparently being attracted by a few of us who were standing nearby watching the waves beating on the rocks. I have been trying to figure out what this animal is but to no avail. Can anyone out there help me? It does look a little like a rat, but this guy was huge (about 40 cm/16'' in length) and fierce too.


Can anyone tell me what animal this is?