The Sandcastle Man, whose intricately designed sand sculptures — from “Star Wars” to Emerald City to snowmen — have long graced the Hotel del Coronado beachfront, has been banned by the resort from returning to his prime location.
The hotel’s decision to terminate their long-standing relationship, effective Feb. 5, was formally codified in a letter sent to sand sculpture artist Bill Pavlacka by the hotel’s human resources director, who stated he had violated hotel policies. More specifically, the letter, provided to the Union-Tribune by Pavlacka, said that in the months since October, when a second warning letter had been sent to him, a new incident had come to light “involving consumption of alcohol, resulting in a negative guest experience.”
The letter continued, “We trust that you will honor this decision and refrain from operating your business at the hotel in the future.”
Widely known only as the Sandcastle Man, Pavlacka has been a beloved figure in Coronado for nearly two decades because of his artistic, whimsical and sometimes personal sand creations that area displayed near the Hotel Del.
He insisted Monday that he has never consumed alcohol in the beach area where he works.
“There was no alcohol. I don’t drink alcohol out there,” he said in an interview. “I asked the hotel guy who complained, ‘Did you see me drinking?’ He said, ‘We’re not going to go there.’ If they want me out of there, that’s OK. I’m not going to fight and argue with them.”
The hotel, in an emailed statement provided to the Union-Tribune, said, “We can confirm that Hotel del Coronado and The Sandcastle Man have parted ways effective February 5. We wish The Sandcastle Man continued success.”
While there was never a written contract or agreement between the hotel and Pavlacka, the Hotel Del does own portions of the beachfront, according to the California Coastal Commission, and as such has the right to control that property as long as public access isn’t impeded. For years, the Hotel Del granted Pavlacka, permission to display his art on resort grounds, it said.
“The Sandcastle Man is an independently owned and operated business with no direct affiliation to Hotel del Coronado,” the hotel said in its statement.
Pavlacka said he believes that the resort’s decision to boot him from the premises was triggered in part by some of the messages that he writes from time to time on his sculptures. While he thinks they’re harmless, he said he believes the hotel regards them as political in nature. The Hotel Del letter does note that as a condition of his right to operate on hotel beach property, his sandcastle content was to be “neutral” and “free of political or controversial messages.”
Sancastle Man liked to incorporate sayings into his creations, like this quote attributed to Mark Twain. (Bill Pavlacka)
There was some messaging on some of his creations, like “I believe in freedom of speech” and “I love democracy,” as well as a quote attributed to Mark Twain that said, “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” They were interpreted as being political, Pavlacka says.
“The hotel always says I do not work for them, but they kicked me off the property,” he added. “But I have tremendous support in San Diego and almost all the feedback I’ve gotten is positive. So I can’t understand why all of a sudden things changed.”
Pavlacka is not paid by the hotel for any of his sculptures, he said, but over the years, he’s gained a strong following, so much so that companies and event planners have hired him for custom sandcastles, while individuals will frequently request something as simple as a birthday message on a modest sand creation.
This is an example of one of Pavlacka’s creations that honored the late comedic actress, Catherine O’Hara. (Bill Pavlacka)
“I’ll do things like happy anniversary, happy birthday to you, memorials to people,” he said. “And people would tip me. I made enough over the years so that it supported me. I’d do corporate events on other parts of the beach, like a Microsoft party on the beach, and I’d do a castle with their logo. And sometimes I’d do weddings.”
There may be other coastal San Diego hotels, he said, where he can ply his sand-sculpting trade, like in the Mission Bay area. He suggests in an Instagram post that he may set up shop elsewhere in Coronado, north of the main lifeguard tower. He created a Super Bowl sculpture there the other day.
In the days since news spread that the Sandcastle Man was no longer allowed on the Hotel Del premises, there has been no shortage of messages on social media from fans proclaiming their gratitude for his artistry.
On one of the small sand mounds that once were sandcastles, a message was drawn, presumably for the abrupt departure of Bill Pavlacka, known by many as the Sandcastle Man. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“You made my engagement AND wedding day something to remember,” one said. “We love you so much, sand castle man!” said another. “I live on Coronado and I am always happy to see you and your work.”
Pavlacka said he was grateful for the many years he worked with the Hotel Del and was especially thankful to the Coronado residents who supported him throughout the years.
“They’re the ones who made my business function,” he said.
At the end of his Instagram and Facebook posts, he asked the community for continued support and donations to “help me continue building castles.”