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If you're pressed for time, watch my recap video instead:
Pirate Tower History
Despite its name, the Pirate Tower has no connection to real pirates. It was built in 1926 as part of a private estate owned by Senator William E. Brown. The tower was designed to serve as a private staircase to the beach for the family.The tower stands 60 feet tall and is built in a Gothic Revival style and has a turret-like appearance. Its design gives it a whimsical, storybook feel.
Where It's Located
The Pirate Tower is a 1 hour 15 minute drive south of Los Angeles, CA in Laguna Beach, depending on traffic.While the tower is on private property, it’s visible from the beach and is a popular spot for photos. During low tide, you can walk right up to it and admire its unique design. I used the following website to check for tide schedules: https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Laguna-Beach/tides/latest
In 1981, the tower and the surrounding estate were designated as a historic landmark by the city of Laguna Beach.
Where to Park
Getting to the Pirate Tower is easy if you park on South Coast Highway with Mc Aulay Place or Sunset Terrace as your cross streets. You'll need to walk a block through a residential area, turn right onto Victoria Drive, and Google Maps will lead you to a staircase. Once you get to the bottom of the staircase, you'll need to climb some rocks, so make sure to wear shoes with grip. (Watch my video, as I recorded how to get to the Pirate Tower.) |
| Beware of the walk back to your car as it will be an uphill hike. |
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| Make sure to take the stairs off of Victoria Drive down to the beach. |
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| Enjoy awesome views and explore the tide pools. |
Be careful of the slippery moss along the trail to the Pirate Tower.
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| I visited on a Monday afternoon and the beach wasn't crowded at all. |
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| I used my Insta360 camera to take this photo with the Pirate Tower behind me. |
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| During high tide, this area fill up into a pool. |
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| The Pirate Tower was constructed in 1926 by Senator William E. Brown. |
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| I loved seeing paw prints in the sand as well as all the happy dogs on the beach. |
Where to Eat
After a day exploring the Pirate Tower and sunbathing on the beach for a few hours, I got hungry and searched for a spot that had great reviews of ceviche on Yelp. My research led me to Lost Pier Cafe, where the eatery had a laid-back, local vibe with a menu focusing on breakfast burritos (served until noon), sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and seafood including ceviche, lobster rolls, plus fish and chips. Coffee and teas were also offered with beer and wine.
I loved enjoying my food seaside, although pigeons and seagulls got pretty close. I also loved seeing all the dogs enjoying the outdoor patio while their owners enjoyed their food and drinks.
Aliso Beach, where the cafe is located, has a rich history as a popular spot. While eating, I saw four dolphins swim by close to shore.
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| I enjoyed my Diet Coke while enjoying the ocean views. |
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| My ceviche was delicious and fresh, tangy and the chips had a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning on them. |
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| Beware of hungry birds |
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| Food menu |
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| There was plenty of parking that you could pay for via onsite machine or through the the lagunabeachparking.net website. |
Know Before You Go
-Make sure to check the tide schedule for Victoria Beach (Laguna Beach, CA) if you plan on checking out the Pirate Tower.
-Make sure to wear shoes with grip if you plan on scrambling the rocks to get to the Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach (Laguna Beach).
-This is a popular photography spot and I saw a girl taking photos. We were both patient and gave each other time to get our shots.
-Street parking is available on South Coast Highway. I went on a Monday and there was plenty of parking. Do not park in the residential area as I saw multiple "No Parking" signs.
-Bring a beach towel/blanket intended for sand. It made for easy clean up after sunbathing on the beach.
-Bring a dry bag in case you get items wet.
-Bring water! Despite the trek to the Pirate Tower taking ~7 mins one way, I was tired and thirsty afterwards.
-Beware of the walk back to your car if you parked on South Coast Highway. It’s an uphill climb and take your time so you’re not so winded, like I was.
-I went on this trip alone and saw another girl by the Pirate Tower alone as well. Make sure to pay attention to your surroundings.
Don't forget to PIN this post:
GPS Coordinates: G6CP+75 Laguna Beach, California
Watch my Laguna Beach day off recap:
Have you been to the Pirate Tower in Laguna Beach, CA? Let me know in the comments.
Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
Hey, I'm Christy Scronce, a Filipina-American Los Angeles native and travel enthusiast. I love visiting new places and trying new food. Welcome to my adventure blog where I capture both State & National Park visits, family excursions, and road trips, while sharing my travel photos and recaps. My goal is to visit as many National Parks using my “America the Beautiful” annual pass. 
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