queen califia's magical circle

DorisS50

I've been in Escondido for three years and finally got to see this beautiful sculpture park! It has been closed for a long time but now it is open again from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm the 2nd Saturday of each month. Be sure to go see this!

Jeremiah29_11-14

Queen Califia's Magical Circle is an amazing jewel tucked away in the Kit Carson Park. When our granddaughters were young we used to take them there and they loved it. The sculptures are so colorful, unique and creative. I would suggest that you check with the website before going to ensure that it's open to the public. You can also see some of the artist's work down in Balboa Park in San Diego.

lisak56

Amazing to have such a beautiful piece of art, right here in Escondido in our Kit Carson Park. As you enter the park, you will pass by the duck pond and as you walk you will come upon this work of art, wirth checking out!

Vegevous

Going to Queen Calafia is like being transported to Paris or Italy or some other high-art European destination. That this magical sculpture garden is in humble little Escondido is amazing and wonderful. It is just great to walk past ponds where families are feeding ducks and kids our playing soccer and then,Voila, through the trees you arrive at an incredible installation. Don't miss it!

RobM450

We went all the way to Escondido to see Queen Califia's Magical Circle at Kit Carson Park, and found it toward the back, but it was closed! It's enclosed within a barred fence, and you can see parts of it by walking around the fence. The artist, Niki de Saint Phalle, was supposedly influenced by the works of Spanish modernist Antoni Gaudi It's only open one Saturday a month per the website, or by previous arrangement by calling (760) 839-4519.

byebye2u

Boy - did we luck out the day we visited this amazing place. We didn't know that this exhibit isn't open very often - only on the second Saturday of the month from 10 AM to 2 PM weather permitting - or for prearranged groups of 10 or more. There is a little walk from the parking lot to the garden site. Lucky for us, there was a prearranged tour going on and the iron gate was open, so we went in. Took a lot of very interesting photos which isn't hard to do as the exhibits are amazing....interesting subjects and intricate tile work even on the ground floor. There is some damage to the tile work that is being repaired. The internationally known artist Niki de Saint Phalle created this, the only American sculpture garden...one of the docents we spoke with said that she did another sculpture garden in Europe. She died in 2002. Look up their website: www.queencalifia.org/garden.html for further info.

Peytonsage

We were excited about visiting this sculpture and drove out of our way to get there and even researched the directions on their web site to make sure we could find it. Disappointingly it is only open sometimes with a note posted on the gate to say that. Perhaps they can also provide that information on their website for future travellers so that they don't waste their time too.

twatripp

Never to be expected in Escondido, the Magic Circle is a fantastic display of the work of Nici de St. Phalle. Get some directions and spend an hour there.

hortonms

This is a hidden gem in Escondido, so pretty and I hope the City will maintain it properly. Fun for all ages!

corala828

This place is great for kids to run around and play, but also excellent for adults to admire the art. Its a fun place for creative photography because of the variety of sculptures and colors. Be careful on hot days because its very bright and can get extremely hot too! There are lots of things to do in the surrounding Kit Karson Park as well so spend the day out there with your kids or some friends.Last year they started doing some restoration on the sculptures, but I can't wait to visit now that the majority of maintenance has finished.Check out this site for more info http://www.escondido.org/queen-califias-magical-circle.aspx

pattymooney

Nicki de St. Phalle's art is all about big installations covered in semi-precious stones and mosaics. She is gone but her art lives on here, at Queen Califia's Magic Circle in the back of Kit Carson Park. It takes about fifteen minutes to walk from your car to the park, and all around it, but it's a fun place for photos and you'll marvel at the experience, as abbreviated as it is. The kids will love it. It's a fun thing to do on the way to or from the Safari Wild Animal Park.

SPBSanFrancisco

An amazing artsperience hidden in a rural neighborhood in Escondido, Queen Califi's Magical Circle is a must see if you are in the area. I would say it is easily one of the world's great wonders, Nikki Saint Phall (sp?) has embued it with her heart and soul and imagination; I felt like Alice in Wonderland here. Note: Go on a day that's not to sunny or overcast. The surfaces are reflective and bright, part of the fun but overwhelming in the full sun and heat of midday.

divin1

Queen Califia's Magical Circle is indeed magical. I have enjoyed taking the kids there many times and they love to play hide and seek and explore in and around all the beautiful mosaic tile statues.The sculpture garden is located a bit of a walk from the parking lot in Kit Carson Park in Escondido. We visited Queen Califia on different days of the week at different times with no restrictions. Unfortunately, evidently due to some deterioration, the Magic Circle was closed for over 15 months for restoration. According to their website, www.queencalifia.org, there was a re-opening event on Oct. 11, 2014 for a few hours and now it is only open on the second Saturday of each month and by pre-arranged reservation. Call for more information: (760) 839-4691.

JOtterDPT

Great piece of unique art that is located in a very nice urban park that otherwise has nothing much in regards to making you think this great art work is located there. Cool for kids to see as well.

cammywc

It is incredible that Nikki de Saint Phalle chose Escondido to install this superb piece of artwork. It is truly magical and appeals to all ages.