Secluded Laguna Beach cove with a quirky shoreline tower and dramatic cliffs, photo-friendly and distinctive.
Victoria Beach sits below a cliff between Laguna Beach proper and Crescent Bay, accessed via a steep stairway carved into the bluff. The beach itself is small and intimate. The Pirate Tower—a distinctive residential structure built in the 1920s as a beach house—sits right on the sand and looks like something from a storybook. The tower is private property, but it's visible and iconic from the beach.
It's one of the most distinctly unusual and approachable beaches in Orange County. The tower has history and personality, the cove is protected from rough waves, and you're walking a beach that feels genuinely quiet and removed despite being minutes from downtown Laguna. The water is clear, and the cliffs frame everything well.
Park on Crescent Bay Drive and walk to the trailhead marked Victoria Beach Stairs. The descent is steep (roughly 150 feet) and the return is harder than the descent. Bring water, sunscreen. The beach is small, so you'll share it with maybe 20-30 others on a busy day. The best light for photos is afternoon into sunset.
The stairs are punishing on the way back up—not a casual stroll. The beach gets decent midday crowds, especially weekends. The tower is private; you can admire from the sand but not enter. Tide pools are limited.
Go on a weekday morning in fall; the stairs are less congested and the tower casts perfect shadows for photos in early light.
Ethan Hauptli is a California-licensed REALTOR® (CA DRE #02191280) at Real Broker (CA DRE #02022092). This editorial content is published by Venture: Orange County and is not a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any specific property. Information is general and does not constitute real estate, legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions.