Beloved Sandcastle Sculptor Banned from Luxury Hotel Over 'Political Messages'

Bill Pavlacka, known as the 'Sandcastle Man', was told to leave his spot of 20 years outside the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A beloved sandcastle sculptor named Bill Pavlacka, known as the 'Sandcastle Man', has been banned from working outside a luxury beachfront hotel in San Diego after 20 years due to 'political messages' in his artwork. Pavlacka claimed he was told to leave his spot outside the historic Hotel del Coronado after etching a Mark Twain quote into the sand, which the hotel deemed 'unacceptable'. He had previously been warned about including phrases like 'I love democracy' and 'I love freedom of speech' in his sandcastle creations.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions around free speech and political expression, even in seemingly apolitical public spaces. As a longtime fixture in the community, Pavlacka's ban has sparked outrage from locals who see it as an infringement on his artistic freedom. The case raises questions about the extent to which private businesses can regulate political messaging on their property.

The details

According to Pavlacka, he was approached by the hotel manager 'Nick' and told that the Mark Twain quote he had etched into the sand was 'the last straw'. The hotel accused him of violating policies against 'political or controversial messages' in his work. Pavlacka insists the Twain quote, which reads 'Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please', was not meant to be political, but the hotel disagreed. They also accused Pavlacka of drinking on the job and asked to inspect his cooler, though he denied these claims.

  • Pavlacka had been creating sandcastle art in the same spot outside the Hotel del Coronado for nearly 20 years.
  • He was banned from the hotel property effective February 5, 2026.

The players

Bill Pavlacka

Also known as the 'Sandcastle Man', Pavlacka is a beloved sandcastle sculptor who had been creating art outside the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego for nearly 20 years.

Hotel del Coronado

A historic luxury beachfront hotel located in Coronado, California, which owns the section of beach where Pavlacka had been working.

Nick

The hotel manager who approached Pavlacka and told him he was being banned from the property.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I couldn't believe it. I was just thinking in my head, what is this about? I love doing my art. This is what I do. It's fun and people appreciate it.”

— Bill Pavlacka, Sandcastle Sculptor (Coronado Times)

“Bill is hardworking and quiet and never have we ever seen him drinking. This is a huge loss for the people of San Diego, and everyone loves the Sandcastle Man. Bring him back and appreciate the joy it brings people from all over the world.”

— Kimberly Weed (Coronado Times)

“There is nothing controversial, much less offensive, about a quote from one of America's greatest authors about the importance of truth and objective reality in our nation's civic life.”

— Ken Fitzgerald (Coronado Times)

What’s next

Pavlacka said he plans to continue creating sandcastle art, though it may not be at the Hotel del Coronado location where he had worked for 20 years. The hotel has not indicated whether it will reconsider its decision to ban him.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the delicate balance between private property rights and free expression, as well as the power that businesses can wield over public spaces. It raises questions about how far private entities can go in regulating political speech, even in seemingly innocuous forms of artistic expression.