T
he Sand Castle, a luxurious clifftop mansion in La Jolla, California, has hit the market for $108 million, more than doubling the current record for a home sale in San Diego County. The estate was built by tech billionaire Darwin Deason, who purchased two adjacent lots in 2009 and completed a full-scale remodel inspired by French Riviera and Palm Beach-style mansions in 2015.

    The property's nickname comes from its beige exterior and fortress-like design, which has become a hallmark of the area. "It is just time to move on," Deason said in an email, citing his decision to sell the home after making a fortune selling an information-technology services company to Xerox Holdings Corp. for $6.4 billion in 2010.

    The Sand Castle sits atop a seawall built before California regulations banned anti-erosion fortifications, making it a unique feature of the property. According to Brett Dickinson, an agent with Compass Inc., La Jolla has become a magnet for ultrawealthy individuals drawn by its balmy weather, low crime rates, and cultural offerings.

    The estate boasts 10 bedrooms, 14 full bathrooms, and three half baths, featuring custom details such as French-imported fireplaces and crystal chandeliers. The property also includes a guest house with three en-suite bedrooms, an indoor mahogany bar, and a pool lined with blue Thassos marble tiles. A man-made beach has sand imported from the same source that supplies the sand traps at Augusta National Golf Club.

    The current sales record in San Diego County is $44.1 million, set last year by a waterfront home in Del Mar. Deason's primary residence is Dallas, and he also owns vacation homes in Texas and Mexico, as well as the Apogee yacht. "My favorite part of the Sand Castle is the master balcony," Deason said, "where I can relax and take in the breathtaking views."