Queen Califia's Magic Garden
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Niki de St. Phalle and Queen Califias Magical Circle
On your way to the Wild Animal Park or Escondido, be sure to take a few moments to stop by and experience Queen Califia's Magical Circle.
The beautiful sculpture garden is located right off the I-15 off of the Via Rancho Parkway exit. The unique collection of "Niki's" is situated within the City of Escondido's Kit Carson Park in the Iris Sankey Arboretum. Niki de St. Phalle (born France, 1930-2002) made San Diego her home in the 1980's until her untimely death in 2002. San Diego has the distinction of being the first city or town in the U.S. that received a Niki piece (the Sun God at UCSD) and the last city or town in the U.S. that received a Niki project (Queen Califia's Magical Circle). Our region is the better for it. NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE'S QUEEN CALIFIA'S MAGICAL CIRCLE is the ONLY American sculpture garden and the last major international project created by Niki de Saint Phalle. Her work is a favorite of children and adults because of its use of imagination, color, material, whimsy, and large size. San Diego is one of the lucky cities in the U.S. that has so many Niki's in public places, including the Sun God at UCSD, and Poet/Muse & Nikigator in Balboa Park, among many others.
Admission to the Magical Circle is free and hours are from 9am-sunset daily. If you have the time, be sure to check out this unique garden on your way to the Wild Animal Park. Here are the Directions.
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