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Escondido, California: Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:
Mary Lane, Escondido, CA
Directions:
Within a 12-acre natural habitat in the Iris Sankey Arboretum in Kit Carson Park. The park's entrance is five minutes from I-15 (via Rancho Pkwy exit) at the corner of Bear Valley Pkwy and Mary Lane. Follow the signs in the park to Queen Califia.
Hours:
Weather permitting, Tu,Th 9-12, also 2nd Sa each month 9-12, and 4th Sa 9-2. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
760-839-4000
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
The Best
Save to My Sights

Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden.

Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden

Colorful fantasy sculpture world of tiles and serpents. Massive work by sculptor and painter Niki de Saint Phalle.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [06/06/2010]

Visitor Tips and News About Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden.

Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden

Current hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9am-noon. Every 2nd Saturday of the month 9am-noon. It's beautiful and worth the odd hours!

[Miss Erin, 04/14/2017]

Queen Califia's Magical Garden.

Queen Califia's Magical Circle

On a recent Sunday drive we discovered Kit Carson Park, a 185-acre family park with hiking trails, duck ponds, picnic areas, and much more. Its highlight is Queen Califia's Magical Circle, the only American sculpture garden of acclaimed French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle. This magnificent garden features her gorgeous ceramic, stone and painted figures paying homage to the spirit world and a famous Amazon warrior, Queen Califia.

We spent a magical afternoon in the magical garden.

[Christene Meyers, 04/10/2013]
Queen Califia's Magic Circle

Nikki De Sainte Phalle's Queen Califia's Magic Circle is one of our favorite stops when we have guests visiting! We have been going there since shortly after its completion and have probably made 35 visits over the years.

There are so many wonderful textures and shapes; it's a great place to go for all ages and doesn't cost anything. It's a shame that it had to be enclosed in 12 ft. metal fencing and locked up due to vandalism. We're so lucky to have such a wonderful gem so close by!

One more thing to note that we have learned through our visits: it's closed on Mondays for cleaning (and unfortunately repair), as well as rainy days.

[Mar Gee Farr, 01/20/2010]

Queen Califia's Magical Circle.

Queen Califia's Magical Circle

Nestled in the back section of Kit Carson Park, Queen Califia's Magical Circle is bigger and more colorful than we expected. And closed -- since it had been raining earlier in the day. But we could peek over the iron fences.

Artist Niki De Saint Phalle has sculpted whimsical monsters, birds and psychedelic snakes, all wrapping around a maze of black and white tiles. Maybe these get too slick in the rain. We'll have to return!

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 12/29/2008]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Muffler Man - Joor ManMuffler Man - Joor Man, Escondido, CA - 3 mi.
Grape Slide, Climbing TwigsGrape Slide, Climbing Twigs, Escondido, CA - 3 mi.
Mexican Food in a Big BarrelMexican Food in a Big Barrel, Escondido, CA - 4 mi.
In the region:
Eagle Rock, Menifee, CA - 43 mi.

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