Sprawling La Jolla mansion known as ‘The Sand Castle’ put on the market for eye-popping figure

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-09 23:51:03 | Updated at 2026-08-10 01:04:17 1 hour ago

A French-inspired oceanfront mansion has hit the Southern California real estate market, carrying a staggering $87.5 million price tag.

Found on the La Jolla coastline near San Diego, “The Sand Castle” blends classic European grandeur with oceanside living, standing as one of the most ambitious residential properties on the Pacific.

It was listed for a whopping $108 million in 2024 but has now come down to a still eye-watering $87.5 million in 2026.

The property, known as “The Sand Castle,” is located in the the neighborhood of La Jolla in San Diego. John Gastaldo for CA Post

The megamansion features 10 ensuite bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. John Gastaldo for CA Post

“A once-in-a-lifetime property, The Sand Castle is magnificent in its stature and offerings,” the listing reads.

Due to strict modern coastal development regulations, oceanfront estates built at this scale are virtually impossible to replicate in California today.

Spanning roughly 13,000 square feet across a main mansion and a full guest residence, the compound features 10 ensuite bedrooms and 14 bathrooms.

Every room was constructed with a “no expense spared” ethos, blending 19th-century antiques, elaborate gold detailing and custom mosaics with modern smart-home technology.

The mansion is the creation of architect Drex Patterson of Island Architects and globally recognized interior designer Timothy Corrigan. John Gastaldo for CA Post

The estate includes 10 bedrooms, a pool, fitness center, private elevated beach and two cabanas. John Gastaldo for CA Post

The Sand Castle began with an ambitious concept of creating an extraordinary oceanview residence paying homage to grand French manors — most notably Versailles and its famed Petit Trianon — while maintaining the comfort and ease of a California beach house.

Darwin Deason, who founded Affiliated Computer Services and sold it to Xerox for more than $6 billion in 2009, picked up “The Sand Castle” and a neighboring parcel for $26 million over 15 years ago.

Homeowner Deason brought together top-tier talent to bring the vision to life. The mansion is the creation of architect Drex Patterson of Island Architects and globally recognized interior designer Timothy Corrigan.

Every room was constructed with a “no expense spared” ethos, blending 19th-century antiques, elaborate gold detailing and custom mosaics with modern smart-home technology. JOHN GASTALDO

The property was originally built in 2005 by San Diego developer Doug Manchester. John Gastaldo for CA Post

The estate pairs European architecture with sweeping, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding coastline.

Protected by a historic 1950s seawall along 163 feet of ocean frontage, the grounds feature seaside terraces, a boathouse and natural sea caves.

The property is being managed by Compass agents Brett Dickinson and Ross Clark, making it one of the highest-priced residential properties in San Diego County history.

The mansion has a private, elevated oceanfront terrace featuring imported white sand sourced to match the texture and quality of the sand traps at the exclusive Augusta National Golf Course and a lavish showcase room that makes hosting large-scale events an effortless task.