For nearly two decades, families posed for photos beside his towering sandcastles, couples got engaged in front of them, and holiday visitors returned year after year to see what he would build next.

Now, the man affectionately known as “The Sandcastle Man” is no longer building on the stretch of Southern California beach where he became a Coronado fixture.

Hotel del Coronado confirmed to Fox News Digital that it and sand artist Bill Pavlacka “have parted ways” effective Feb. 5, ending his nearly 20-year run crafting elaborate sculptures on Coronado Beach outside the historic resort.

“We can confirm that Hotel del Coronado and The Sandcastle Man have parted ways effective February 5. We wish The Sandcastle Man continued success,” a hotel spokesperson said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

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The hotel did not provide any additional details about the decision.

Pavlacka’s sand creations, ranging from whimsical holiday displays to custom wedding proposals, anniversary tributes and birthday messages have long-drawn crowds along the iconic shoreline adjacent to San Diego.

The circumstances surrounding his departure were detailed in a letter and interview quotes reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as in statements Pavlacka shared on social media.

The Union-Tribune reported that Pavlacka was formally notified in a letter from the hotel’s human resources director that he was no longer permitted to operate on hotel property. According to the newspaper, the letter said that in recent months a new incident had come to light “involving consumption of alcohol, resulting in a negative guest experience.”

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Pavlacka denied that allegation in an interview with the Union-Tribune.

“There was no alcohol. I don’t drink alcohol out there,” he said. “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 Union-Tribune also reported the letter stated Pavlacka was “no longer permitted to operate ‘The Sandcastle Man’ or any other business on the premises of the Hotel del Coronado… explicitly including the Hotel’s beach.”

The newspaper further reported that the hotel owns portions of the beachfront and, citing the California Coastal Commission, has the right to control that property so long as public access is not denied.

Pavlacka told the Union-Tribune he believes the decision may have been influenced by messages he sometimes carved into his sculptures. The newspaper reported the hotel letter said that as a condition of operating on the hotel’s beach property, Pavlacka’s sandcastle content was to be “neutral” and “free of political or controversial messages.”

Pavlacka said he had incorporated phrases such as “I believe in freedom of speech” and “I love democracy,” along with a quote attributed to Mark Twain: “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” 

He said the messages were interpreted as political.

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“The hotel always says I do not work for them, but they kicked me off the property,” he told the Union-Tribune. “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.”

Local supporters echoed that sentiment.

“Bill is hardworking and quiet and never have we ever seen him drinking,” Kimberly Weed told the Coronado Times. “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.”

Ken Fitzgerald told the outlet, “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.”

Pavlacka addressed the split in a Facebook post.

“After nearly two decades, Hotel del Coronado and I have parted ways. Building sandcastles in front of the hotel, and meeting guests from all over the world, has meant everything to me,” he wrote.

“While I’m saddened this chapter has ended, I’m excited for greater creative freedom ahead,” he added, directing supporters to find him “just north of the main lifeguard tower on Coronado Beach.”

In his interview with the Union-Tribune, Pavlacka said he plans to continue building sandcastles elsewhere.

“I won’t give up, I’ll still build sandcastles. It may not be here, it will be somewhere,” he said.

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Pavlacka also publishes a price list on “The Sandcastle Man” website. 

The page states: “Sandcastles and lessons on Hotel Del Coronado property must be pre-approved by the hotel.” It adds that prices are subject to change based on design complexity and may include add-ons such as music, lights, rose petals and travel fees.

Pavlacka is currently seeking donations per his most recent Facebook post.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Pavlacka for additional comment.

In another game with significant implications in the WCC standings, Oregon State dominated and is still in contention for a top four finish.

Jorge Diaz Graham scored 18 points to lead four players in double-figures for the Beavers in a 90-63 win over San Francisco on Thursday night at Sabrato Center.

Isaiah Sy scored 13 of his 17 points and Dez White had 11 of his 17 in a 50-28 first half for Oregon State (14-13, 7-7 WCC), which moves into sole possession of fifth place in the conference with four games left in the regular season. OSU is one game back of Pacific, which holds the tiebreaker.

The Beavers shot a season-high 56.3% from the field, including 60% from three, their best since Jan. 25, 2024 against Arizona.

Diaz Graham was 5 of 6 from the field, including 4 of 4 form three, made all four of his free throws and added five rebounds.

A Denver judge this week ordered an area pastor, Tilo Lopez, to pay a family $311,000 in restitution after Lopez was criminally prosecuted in connection with a construction project he said he would do for the family.

In the restitution ruling, the judge noted that Lopez charged the family 542% more than he paid for home demolition that was part of the construction project.

“This man lied to us,” said Miguel Lara, whose elderly parents, Ventura and Elsie Lara, put their trust in Lopez, who calls himself “A missionary.” “I love Jesus,” Lopez previously said. Beyond his ministry, Lopez also ran a construction company, Remodeling Specialists LLC.

The Lara family knew Lopez for decades as a minister, and said they had faith in him due to his religious background.

“We just thought him being a man of God, we trusted him completely,” said Elsie Lara, 77.

In 2020, the Laras signed contracts with Lopez allowing him to tear down the home next door to theirs, which they owned, and then build a duplex so three generations of the Lara family could live side by side. Elsie Lara said she and her husband, who is 81, took out a $520,000 loan to pay Lopez and finance the construction project. They say it was their life savings.

But after demolishing their home, they say the work stopped and Lopez “disappeared,” despite the fact they paid Lopez at least $250,000 up front.

Denver prosecutors charged Lopez criminally, and last September he pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return — a felony — and attempting to commit theft — a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 12 years probation.

At a restitution hearing last week, a demolition contractor said Lopez hired him for $14,000 to demolish the home nextdoor to the Laras, but then Lopez charged the Lara family $90,000 for the demolition, a 542% markup.

“I thought that was crazy,” said demolition contractor Dennis Olivas.

Olivas testified Lopez told him not to reveal to the family how much Lopez had paid him for the demo job.

Another witness at the restitution hearing, an investigator with the Denver District Attorney’s office, said Lopez paid a subcontractor $30,000 for asbestos abatement on the demolition, but then charged the Laras $150,000 for the work.

On Tuesday, Denver District Court Judge Jay Grant ordered Lopez to repay the Laras $311,191.64 to cover their losses and accrued interest.

Lopez’s lawyer, Grant Grosgebauer, said Lopez would likely appeal the restitution order. The attorney did not offer any further comment or statements about the restitution order.

Tilo Lopez did not testify during the restitution hearing and has not publicly discussed the case or what happened.

Both Elsie and Ventura Lara had hoped to retire, but say the losses to Lopez have forced them both to continue working.

“The situation he put us in now,” said Ventura Lara, “is we are living paycheck to paycheck because we don’t have any money to fall back on.”

His son, Miguel Lara, told CBS Colorado: “It was my dad’s dream to save all that money and have something for his kids and be able to retire, and now it’s the opposite.”

The family says if they collect the $311,000 in restitution, it will help them pay down their construction loan, but they say they are mostly pleased that Tilo Lopez is being held accountable for his actions.

The family still pays $4,900 a month to a lender for loan payments for the duplex that was never built. They say they hope their experience serves as a warning to others to thoroughly check out contractors they plan to use, do diligent research and if something does go wrong, don’t be afraid to speak up and seek help.

“The only fault we had,” said the Lara’s daughter, Juanita Aliste-Munoz, “is we believed in a minister that talked highly about God.”