CHRIS GUZIAK 

ABOUT VICTORIA BEACH

This small neighborhood is tucked away between Woods Cove to the north and the Blue Lagoon and the Montage Laguna Resort to the south. Homes date back to the 1920s and most were small beach cottages and bungalows that have been added onto over the years. The oceanfront homes have generally been rebuilt and some are spectacular. A portion of the neighborhood known as Upper Victoria is located on the northeast side of Pacific Coast Highway, accessible by foot or by car through a tunnel under the highway. The lot size is relatively small for Laguna and the houses are packed closely together. Many are now two or three stories tall and some even have rooftop decks. The community is tight-knit, and the beach is very social among the locals. Although it is public, it is still frequented mostly by locals because parking is difficult and the access points to the beach are not obvious. Tourists often do learn about the "pirate tower" or "lighthouse" that is hidden around the point to the north and is a favored photo spot. The tower was actually built in the 1940s by a local resident, not by 16th century pirates, but it is remarkable nonetheless. Another notable feature of the beach is the round stone tide pool built to capture and hold saltwater for wading. The beach is broad and the southern end fronts the elite privately-gated Lagunita community. Several oceanfront homes do have private beach access. The locals enjoy volleyball, snorkeling and picnicking at the beach. Considering its beachside location, the homes at Vic Beach are relatively affordable, although many are dated.