Laguna Beach Pirate Tower
Laguna Beach Pirate Tower
Laguna Beach Pirate Tower
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
28 reviews
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Creeping_Death_LA
Los Angeles, CA4,547 contributions
Aug 2020
This eccentric staircase belongs to the property just above the cliff. I can just imagine how many thousands of pictures have been taken over the decades at this famous location. Whomever built it did an excellent construction job because the tides have not washed it away over the decades. These days the city would never allow something like this to be built on a public beach - truly one of a kind.
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
catsmarty
Albuquerque, NM154 contributions
Apr 2021
I read about this in the California travel book, so wanted to see it. The access to it is under construction, but they do tell you where to go to get to it. You have to walk down 3 steep streets, then go along the beach to climb on the rocks to go around the cliff area to see it. It was well worth the work to get here. I truly enjoyed being there. Just be in pretty good shape for you have to climb back up those 3 steep streets.
Written April 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa K
4 contributions
Nov 2022
Drove 2 hours to see the Pirate Tower and spent another 30 minutes trying to figure out where to park and walk to it. Finally got down the staircase to the beach, and the lifeguard came running as we tried to walk around the cove to where the tower is located. We were told that beach was closed and we couldn't go to it. Several others came with cameras shortly after, and they got yelled at as well. I was surprised, as I have read all about the tower and seen pictures of people below it. Nowhere did I see that lifeguards wouldn't let you near it. It was low tide, so danger of the water wasn't an issue. Very disappointed.
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KUNOUS
Alhambra, CA154 contributions
Nov 2021
It is a nice walk on the beach with that scenic view. You can plan a day to explore the Laguna Beach downtown and Sawdust together. There are so many restaurants in the area
Don't follow Google Maps to enter the small streets... park your car along PCH when you get close and walk to the stairway on Victoria Dr.
Don't follow Google Maps to enter the small streets... park your car along PCH when you get close and walk to the stairway on Victoria Dr.
Written December 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura W
3 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
What a gorgeous beach! Went to find Pirate Tower-parked further away than needed to just because didn't know the area. Walked from Ruby's Dinner on PCH, not too bad a walk, but there are steep steps and return walk is uphill. No parking near the beach. Have to go at low tide or you can't get across the rocks to the tower. There is a small path through the rocks if you look for it. Sunset made for great photos.
Written November 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
regis k
Arcadia, CA1,696 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
A hidden gem in Laguna Beach. Before stumbling upon this place on Yelp, I have never heard of Victoria Pirate Tower.
I am glad that we found this place where we can enjoy the beauty of Southern California beaches and take pictures with a little history. The pictures we took created so many comments and inquiries from our friends asking about where this place is. The tower and the rocks surrounding the tower make the whole place look like we are in an European beach somewhere. A cool place to be indeed.
The best picture opp time is during sunset. The tide is low and the sunset view from here is just stunning. Especially if you come at the time with big waves, the splashes from the wave hitting the rocks create a very dramatic effect on your photos.
The tower itself is not a big deal but the scenery is spectacular. Since this is an obscure place, not to many people come to the tower. You have the whole place to yourself to watch the sunset and enjoy the ocean.
I heard the tower was built by a Senator in the 20’s as a way to get down to the beach and later was sold to a pirate enthusiast and made it into a story telling and treasure hunting castle.
Getting to this place is a bit challenging as it’s hidden underneath a neighborhood. The best way to get here is to park your car along PCH next to Montage hotel and follow the beach access stairs of the hotel to the Victoria beach. Then from there walk about a quarter of a mile to get to the tower.
I am glad that we found this place where we can enjoy the beauty of Southern California beaches and take pictures with a little history. The pictures we took created so many comments and inquiries from our friends asking about where this place is. The tower and the rocks surrounding the tower make the whole place look like we are in an European beach somewhere. A cool place to be indeed.
The best picture opp time is during sunset. The tide is low and the sunset view from here is just stunning. Especially if you come at the time with big waves, the splashes from the wave hitting the rocks create a very dramatic effect on your photos.
The tower itself is not a big deal but the scenery is spectacular. Since this is an obscure place, not to many people come to the tower. You have the whole place to yourself to watch the sunset and enjoy the ocean.
I heard the tower was built by a Senator in the 20’s as a way to get down to the beach and later was sold to a pirate enthusiast and made it into a story telling and treasure hunting castle.
Getting to this place is a bit challenging as it’s hidden underneath a neighborhood. The best way to get here is to park your car along PCH next to Montage hotel and follow the beach access stairs of the hotel to the Victoria beach. Then from there walk about a quarter of a mile to get to the tower.
Written March 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dana Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA1,218 contributions
Nov 2019
This is a California classic, not easy to find but worth the journey to find this throwback to early California beach life.
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzi K
Cedar Rapids, IA167 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
We accessed this area at the Victoria Beach access. The beach access was kind of hidden and you have to park and walk through a residential area near 2713 Victoria Dr. Don't fret! You aren't lost, this is really where you should be. Make sure you are there during low tide and wear your tennis shoes or sandals that strap on as you will be walking over rocks to get to the tower. The waves crashing over the rocks and making mini waterfalls as they go back out was neat. The tower was neat and something to see too. Once you hike that direction and have taken in all the sights, go back the way you came. When you get back to the sand, ditch your shoes and enjoy a sandy walk in the other direction. Our total visit was about an hour. I think it is worth the stop.
Written February 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Howard N
Glendora, CA41 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Been coming to Laguna beach for 40 yrs and never knew of this historic structure. Took the free summer trolley heading south to Sunset. Walked down to Victoria beach and walked right around the cliff and you will see it. Nice little day trip
Written June 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
herbulous
Toronto, Canada94 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Saw photos of this stunning tower and did some research and found out it's just north of Victoria Beach. It also have the cool circular tide pool (which you see in most photographer's instagram post, now I know where it is). Victoria Beach is access through a stair case in the midst of a residential neighborhood. Not street or public parking, it's patrolled regularly. Park on the pacific coast highway, watch for moving traffic and walk in and down the stairs. Go right (North) over some rocks and the tower is around the corner. It's locked, so you cannot access it. It's just a unique photo opportunity. Worth a visit. We visited when it was a bit on the cold side so did not use the tide pool but I can imagine it would be fun during the summer.
Written January 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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