Meet Jate Estrela | Sand Sculptor & Math Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jate Estrela and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jate, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my sandcastle business came from a simple but startling realization: I could actually make money doing something I had always done just for fun. At first, the idea felt ridiculous… was it really feasible to turn sandcastles into a legitimate career? I was a math professor at the time, and while that path was stable and “respectable,” it’s not unique and “San Diego”. I started wondering: if I don’t take the plunge now, will I look back in 30 years with regret?

Of course, I had all the usual doubts. Would this be seen as frivolous? Foolish? Would my kids or my mom feel weird telling people what I do for a living? And even if it worked, would I be able to manage the logistical chaos that might follow–hiring help, managing demand, balancing work while raising my kids? Fear of failure is familiar to most people, but there’s also a quieter, deeper fear of success; of what happens if this actually works.

In the end, I chose to bet on joy. I realized that showing people how to build something magical with their hands, right there on the beach, could be more than just a novelty. It could be a way to bring people together, spark creativity, and create memories. And that’s worth the risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a sand sculptor, which is a bit like being an artist, a beach bum, and a magician all rolled into one. My medium is temporary, tidal, and largely unforgiving–but that’s part of what makes it so magical. I started out just playing in the sand, then busking on the weekends with a shovel and a dream, and over the years I’ve slowly built my passion into a joyful full-time career (sunburns and sandy crevices notwithstanding).

What sets my work apart is that it’s fleeting by design. You can’t hang it on a wall or put it in a gallery. It lives for a moment, on the shore, and then it’s gone. But in that moment, it brings people together. It really isn’t just for kids. Families, couples, kids, grandparents, friends and coworkers–they all come to dig their hands in the earth and create something together. It taps into something deep and primal, this instinct to shape the land, to play, to build, to connect. There’s no pressure to be perfect–just the joy of creating, side by side, like countless generations before us. In short; it’s really fun!

At its heart, my work is about making space for beauty, play, and connection… one grain of sand at a time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
You just can’t beat the beaches. All of them have unique properties and local flavor. So that’d top the list and probably make up most of the activity, including a bonfire at the fire pits. Our Zoo is absolutely one of the best in the world, so maybe that. Balboa Park has all the museums and is such a nice place to spend time. We’d catch a movie at the South Bay Drive-In, one of the few remaining in the country. If we’re lucky the trip would match up with a San Diego Goth Picnic, or a Tiki Club meeting. Catching the farmer’s market in Ocean Beach on a Wednesday is always an interesting experience.

Purrgatory in North Park is a unique cat themed shop and adoption center.

And then of course chilaquiles at Cocina 35, tacos and burritos from Colima’s, pizza from Zia’s Gourmet Pizza in Normal Heights, and a Big Jim’s Roast Beef sandwich.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a huge shoutout to my endlessly patient and supportive family, especially my youngest son, Jade, and my partner, Amanda. Over the last few hectic years they’ve been my rock, my creative consultants, and my personal comedy club. Jade brings unfiltered brilliance and fresh ideas (and occasionally, mild chaos), while Amanda has the rare gift of knowing when I need encouragement and when I just need snacks. Both of them are talented artists in their own right, and their creativity constantly inspires and sharpens my own. Honestly, without them, I’d probably be a pile of half-finished projects and sandy, directionless anxiety. And of course, none of this would work without the queenly forbearance of our cat, Molly: petulant, affectionate, and deeply judgmental in the way only a chonky old feline can be. She keeps the household in line one imperious glare at a time.

Website: https://www.sandiegosand.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandiegosandcastles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandiegosandcastles/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/san-diego-sand-castles-san-diego-2

Other: TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60750-d4300947-Reviews-San_Diego_Sand_Castles-San_Diego_California.html

Image Credits
All images were taken by us personally. Anyone identifiable has given me permission to use it publicly.