We Californians don’t often get to experience an ancient, old-world relic, so local adventurers will love to visit this hidden gem in Laguna Beach that looks straight out of a swashbuckling fairytale.
This is the Victoria Beach Pirate Tower, a 60-foot-tall concrete tower with a conical roof that you’ll find butting up against a rocky cliff face.
For the more imaginative among us, it feels like stepping into a fantasy film, and for the more practically-minded, it makes for a dramatic photograph with a backdrop of crashing waves and brilliant sunsets.
Here’s the fascinating story behind the Pirate Tower of Laguna Beach.
Where did the Pirate Tower come from?
Although it has a mysterious look, the Pirate Tower’s origins are well-documented. In 1926, California Senator William E. Brown constructed the tower as a hidden staircase linking his clifftop home to the beach below.
Inspired by the castles he and his wife had seen in France after World War I, Brown gave the tower its fairytale design. The house itself, known as the Norman House, is a unique coastal lodge.
In the 1940s, Senator Brown sold the Norman House—along with the tower—to retired Navy officer Harold Kendrick. Kendrick was known as a vocal pirate aficionado, and his penchant for storytelling, combined with his tendency to dress in pirate clothing, naturally led the locals to call the structure “Pirate Tower.”
Over the years, the property changed ownership multiple times and was most recently owned by Hollywood star Bette Midler. Today, both the home and the Pirate Tower are still privately owned.
Can I visit the Pirate Tower?
The Pirate Tower is located on Victoria Beach in the city of Laguna Beach, California. To reach it, head to the beach access stairs located at 2700 Victoria Drive, near the end of Sunset Terrace. From there, descend the staircase to the sand, then walk to the right—climbing over rocks and rounding the bend—to discover the iconic tower.
Be advised that the Pirate Tower is not accessible at high tide.
Can you go inside the Pirate Tower?
The Pirate Tower is private property and is kept locked. You can walk up to the structure, but you cannot go inside it.
Where do you park to see the Pirate Tower in Laguna Beach?
Parking is notoriously difficult around this residential part of Laguna Beach. Most visitors end up parking along Pacific Coast Highway and then walk to Victoria Beach from there.