Salt air, crashing waves, and a stone castle rising straight out of the rocks. This California shoreline hides a tower that looks like it wandered off a storybook page and decided to stay.
Sixty feet of pointed roof and stone walls stand against the Pacific, looking older than they really are. Weeks of reading about it did not prepare me for the sight of it sitting right there on the sand, surrounded by tide pools and sea spray.
Waves rolled in, seaweed clung to the rocks, and photographers snapped quiet shots from a distance. Built in 1926, the structure hides a spiral staircase that once linked a cliff-top home to the beach below.
Nobody lives there now, but the tower still stands guard over the cove. Sandy shoes and a camera full of pictures came home that day, along with a story worth telling.
The whole scene feels like a fairy tale that refused to end.
A Castle Tower Hiding in Plain Sight on Victoria Beach
My first glimpse came from the bottom of a long staircase, and I stopped mid-step just to stare. Victoria Beach is quieter than the busy sands in downtown Laguna, so the tower gets all the attention it deserves.
Its rough stone walls and pointy roof look almost medieval against the bright blue water.
Locals sometimes call it La Tour, which is French for the tower. That name fits, since the whole look feels borrowed from an old European village rather than a Southern California neighborhood.
Modern houses sit high on the bluffs, and the tower seems to stand guard beneath them like a patient old knight.
The size surprised me more than anything. Sixty feet is about as tall as a six-story building, so it really towers over the rocks at its base.
Up close, I could see the texture of the stones and the tiny windows that dot its sides.
Bring a camera, but also give yourself a few minutes to simply look around. The sound of waves slapping against the rocks adds to the mood in a way photos never quite capture.
Morning light makes the stone glow warm and golden, which I found especially lovely.
The Secret Spiral Staircase Inside
Secret passages usually belong in mystery novels, so I got a little giddy knowing one hides inside these walls. A spiral wooden staircase winds up through the tower, connecting the sand to the home above.
It gave the Brown family a private path to the ocean whenever they wanted.
Sadly, you cannot climb it today. The door stays locked, and the tower is not open to the public, which actually makes it feel even more mysterious.
I stood at the bottom and tried to imagine the creak of old steps and the echo of footsteps going round and round.
Look closely at the narrow window slits along the sides. Those openings let thin beams of daylight into the staircase, lighting the way for anyone heading down.
From outside, they also add to the castle look, kind of like arrow slots in an old fortress.
Kids especially love this detail, in my experience. Telling them there is a hidden staircase right in front of them sparks all sorts of wild guesses about what might be inside.
Honestly, I made a few guesses of my own and enjoyed every silly one of them.
Senator Brown and His French-Inspired Dream
Here is a fun surprise: no pirates built this place. California State Senator William E.
Brown created the tower in 1926 as a private way to get from his home down to the beach. His cliff-top house, often called the Norman House, sat right above it.
The style came from travel. Brown and his wife had visited France after World War I, and the castle-like buildings of the Normandy region clearly left a big impression.
Bringing that look home to Laguna was a bold move, and I think it paid off beautifully.
Builders used poured concrete along with a base of ocean stones. Because of those stones, the tower blends right into the rugged coastline, almost like it grew out of the cliff.
Nearly a hundred years later, it still holds strong against salty wind and crashing surf.
Knowing the backstory changed how I saw it. Instead of just a pretty photo spot, it became a piece of one family’s life and their love of faraway places.
I found myself picturing them heading down for a swim on a hot summer afternoon, towels in hand.
How a Playful Captain Turned It Into Pirate Tower
Every great landmark needs a good nickname, and this one got its name from a man who loved pirates. In the early 1940s, the house and tower were sold to retired naval captain Harold Kendrick.
He brought a sense of fun that still sticks to the place today.
According to local history, Kendrick would dress up in pirate clothes and invite neighborhood children over for games. He hid coins in the nooks and cracks of the tower for kids to hunt down.
Some stories even say he chilled the coins first, calling it cold cash, which made me grin.
Thanks to those treasure hunts, the name Pirate Tower stuck for good. What started as a senator’s private stairway turned into a place tied to childhood adventure.
I love that a little playfulness ended up shaping its whole identity.
When you visit, take a moment to spot the small gaps in the stonework. You will not find any coins now, of course, but it is easy to picture tiny hands reaching in with excitement.
Sharing this story with younger travelers makes the trip feel like a real treasure quest.
Timing Your Visit With the Tides
Lesson learned the easy way, thankfully: always check the tide chart before you go. The tower sits where waves reach right up to its base, so high tide can cut you off completely.
At low tide, the sand and rocks open up and you can walk right over.
Getting there means heading around a rocky cliff on Victoria Beach. The rocks can be wet, sharp, and slippery, so wear water shoes or sneakers with good grip.
Flip-flops are a bad idea here, and my toes can confirm it.
Big surf after a storm can make the area risky. Waves sometimes surge higher than expected, so keep an eye on the water and never turn your back on it for long.
Staying off the rocks during rough conditions is just smart.
Early mornings tend to be calmer and less crowded, which I really enjoyed. Sunset is another favorite time, when the sky turns orange and pink behind the tower.
Plan your trip so low tide lines up with one of those windows, and you will get the best of everything at once.
Tide Pools and a Hidden Seaside Pool
Crouching over a tide pool, I nearly forgot the tower existed for a while. Victoria Beach has rocky spots where little sea creatures hide when the water pulls back.
Tiny crabs, snails, and squishy anemones turn each pool into a mini aquarium.
Just south of the tower sits another quirky surprise. A round concrete structure, partly buried in sand, was once a seaside pool, likely built by Senator Brown too.
Sand fills much of it now, yet seawater still flows in at high tide and creates a shallow basin.
Families often enjoy this calmer water area. The wall around it breaks the waves, making it a gentler spot for kids to splash under watchful eyes.
There are no permanent lifeguards on this beach, so adults should stay close.
Please look but do not take anything from the tide pools. Touch gently, if at all, and put back any rocks you lift so the creatures keep their homes.
Leaving everything as you found it helps this little ecosystem thrive for the next curious visitor, and it feels good knowing you helped protect it.
Stairs, Parking, and Being a Good Neighbor
My legs had opinions about the stairs, but the view made it all worthwhile. A public staircase tucked between houses on Victoria Drive leads down to the beach.
It is steep and long, so take your time and hold the railing.
Parking takes some planning. The streets right near the beach are residential, so most visitors park along Pacific Coast Highway and walk over.
Driving past once to find the stairs first can save a lot of confusion later.
This is a neighborhood, so keep voices low and leave no trash behind. There are no public restrooms on the beach, which means a quick stop beforehand is a wise move.
Pack water, sunscreen, and a small snack for the trip.
Photographers love the spot, and you might see people taking engagement or graduation pictures. Arriving early helps you enjoy a quieter beach and softer light.
Even with the climb and the parking hunt, I would happily come back again, because the tower never loses its charm.
Address: Victoria Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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