Victoria Beach Engagement Session

The Pirate Tower In Victoria Beach: A Hidden Gem

If you’re planning your engagement session at a location steeped in rich history on the Southern California coastline, the Pirate Tower in Victoria Beach is the place for you. One of our favorite couples, Hamza and Lina, flew from Jordan just to hold their photoshoot here!

Victoria Beach: Getting There

Getting to Victoria Beach from Los Angeles is an hour and a half away by car, which is approximately 60 miles from LA and 80 miles from San Diego. You can park your car on the PCH close to the intersection of McAulay Place. From there, you can walk along the highway until you see Victoria Drive. From there, you can go down the public staircase until you reach Victoria Beach. 

This secluded beach is known for its gorgeous tide pools and is a great spot for surfing, kayaking, volleyball, skimboarding, and other water sports. Of course, its most famous attraction is the affectionately-named Pirate Tower. Pet lovers will also be happy to know that it’s a dog-friendly destination!

Pirate Tower

Originally built in 1926, the Pirate Tower and the house on top of the cliff were built for senator William E. Brown so he and his family could have private access to Victoria Beach. Standing at 60 ft tall, the Pirate Tower is an imposing structure that makes for some picturesque moments when you visit Victoria Beach.

Some 20 years later, Brown sold the property to a man named Harold Kendrick, a retired navy captain. Kendrick loved pirates and was described by people as “eclectic, and fascinating as the buildings themselves” because he would often dress up in full pirate gear to the delight of neighborhood children. 

These days, the Pirate Tower is a great spot to take photos and pretend that you’re an actual buccaneer on the high seas. Unfortunately, you can’t go inside the tower, but you can enjoy taking scenic photographs in the surrounding areas for your engagement session. 

Some Final Tips

Take note that you can only access the Pirate Tower during low tide, so be sure that you and your wedding photographer pick the right time to visit! Since Victoria Beach is dog-friendly, you also won’t have any problem including your furry friends in your engagement session. Lastly, bring snacks and beverages for the time you’ll be shooting, since there are no nearby restaurants on site. This is the perfect opportunity to have a romantic picnic on a secluded beach as part of your photoshoot!

Photo: Sweetpapermedia