Described as a "Cliffside Version of Versailles", the estate is owned by tech billionaire Darwin Deason, who combined two adjacent lots in 2009 and embarked on a comprehensive renovation completed in 2015. The Sand Castle, so named for its sandy beige exterior and fortress-like design, reflects the grandeur of homes from the French Riviera and Palm Beach, according to Deason.
Built on a rare seawall - constructed before California's current restrictions on such fortifications - the property offers unmatched views and protection from coastal erosion, a feature nearly impossible to replicate today. The estate boasts 10 bedrooms, 14 full bathrooms, and three half-baths, with opulent touches including French-imported fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, and a handcrafted mahogany bar.
Deason, whose wealth comes from selling his IT services company to Xerox for $6.4 billion in 2010, explained his decision to list the estate: “It’s simply time to move on,” he stated.
La Jolla has become a hotspot for wealthy retirees, tech investors, and life sciences moguls, drawn by the area's scenic beauty, high-end amenities, and access to cultural and educational resources like UC San Diego. The median home price in the area has risen to $2.3 million, marking a 22% increase in just the past year. Still, La Jolla remains relatively affordable compared to other high-end coastal communities like Malibu and Montecito.
The Sand Castle's features include a separate guest house with three en-suite bedrooms, a pool lined with blue Thassos marble, and a private beach with sand sourced from the same supplier as Augusta National Golf Club. Deason, who primarily resides in Dallas, also owns properties in Texas and Mexico, along with a yacht, the Apogee, where he spends time in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
One of Deason's favorite features of the estate is the master suite balcony, offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the property's expansive grounds. He also highlighted the home's nautical-themed bar, designed to resemble the bar aboard his yacht.
The current San Diego County record home price is the sale of the home at 2940 Sandy Lane in Del Mar in 2022 for $44.1 million. This broke the county's previous record, the 2020 sale of another Del Mar home to Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his then-wife, Melinda, for $43 million.
The Sand Castle is listed by La Jolla-based real estate agents Brett Dickinson and Ross Clark from Compass. For more information, visit sandcastlelajolla.com
Originally published on October 22, 2024.
