An extraordinary oceanfront estate, long owned by billionaire tech entrepreneur and political donor Darwin Deason, has hit the market in San Diego with an asking price of $108 million. This price tag may seem steep, but the property boasts lavish features, including a private beach with pristine white sand reminiscent of Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club, as well as a yacht-style bar room.
If sold for near the asking price, this estate would set a record for the most expensive residential real estate transaction in the area, surpassing the $44 million sale of a Del Mar oceanfront home earlier this year. Listing agents Brett Dickinson and Ross Clark of Compass emphasized the uniqueness of this property: “In the history of La Jolla, there has never been and will never be another property built on the waterfront like The Sand Castle,” citing California’s strict oceanfront construction standards.
Deason, the founder of Affiliated Computer Services (acquired by Xerox for $6.4 billion in 2009), originally purchased two parcels on Spindrift Drive for about $26 million. He then invested millions to renovate an existing home built in 2005, collaborating with architects Drex Patterson and Lisa Krideman to create a retreat inspired by the French Riviera, complete with a substantial guesthouse.
Situated on a gated 0.8-acre lot in La Jolla, the compound features a total of 10 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms across nearly 13,000 square feet, offering sweeping ocean and coastline views. The main house includes seven bedrooms, 9,500 square feet of Timothy Corrigan-designed living space, and luxurious furnishings crafted by global artisans. Highlights include marble floors, gold accents, an elevator, a fireside living room with a wraparound terrace, an elegant dining room, and an opulent primary suite with a balcony, study, and dual baths, along with a fitness center and spa.
The adjoining guest residence spans about 3,400 square feet and features a bar-equipped great room adorned with 18th-century mermaid statues and sliding glass doors that lead to a poolside terrace. The private beach, complete with $40,000 worth of sand, also features two cabanas, a beachfront “boat bar,” on-site caves, and gated access to La Jolla Shores Beach.
According to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the listing, Deason is selling the estate because he spends less time there compared to his other residences, including a primary home in Dallas and recreational properties in Cabo San Lucas and near Dallas. He also frequently travels to the Mediterranean and Caribbean on his superyacht, Apogee.
