Ever seen a master sculptor at work and wished you possessed those rarefied skills—the ability to forge something artistic out of a mound of raw materials?

In San Diego, some of our finest sculptures are to be found on the beach in the form of ornate sand castles and effigies. If you’re interested in doing more than just lounging under the sun or strolling by the waves (and there’s nothing wrong with those pastimes), why not consider a class in sand-castle building? (Did you even know such a thing existed?)

It’s another unique activity that takes advantage of San Diego’s incomparably perfect weather, its world-class beaches, and the impressive caliber of its resident artists.

Lessons From a Master

The outfit San Diego Sand Castles offers personalized, hands-on lessons in the fine art of sand-sculpting. You’ll receive instruction from masters of the craft: The company is headed by one of the city’s most renowned beachside sculptors, J.T. Estrela, and his partners are equally gifted when it comes to turning sparkling grains of sand into fabulous creations.

You and your other friends or family members will have a blast toting water buckets and wielding shovels under the friendly tutelage of your sand guru. This is interactive fun under the sun at its very best.

The San Diego Sand Castles instructors get booked up early, so it’s a good idea to make reservations for a class well in advance. The exact location will depend on the given day and the given teacher, although usually the action goes down in Del Mar or Coronado.

Your Sofia Hotel Sand-sculpting Apprenticeship

There are few better ways to celebrate San Diego’s gleaming sand than to turn it into ephemeral masterpieces, and through a class at San Diego Sand Castles your construction skills get an unforgettable, big-time boost. Book a room at the Sofia Hotel—just blocks from the water—so you have the finest accommodations this fair city can offer while you learn to become a sand-castle Jedi!