Kit Carson Park — Attraction in Escondido

We could have spent all day at Kit Carson Park!! See below for all notes on individual areas.

📍3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025 🚙Plenty of free parking in large parking lots (some of which is covered with solar panels) 💰This park is free 🎠There are 2 separate play structures by tree lake which are both built on a mulch ground surface. The larger playground has standard swings and the smaller one has bucket swings. There are also more stand-alone standard swings over by the frisbee golf fields. There isn’t any shade coverings over the structures or swings so be sure to use sun protective measures! (I made sure my son was covered but I got fried 😬) 🗿Queen Califia’s Magical Sculpture Garden was closed when we went. So if you want to see these eclectic art pieces: It is open on Tues & Thurs from 9am-12pm & on 2nd & 4th Sat from 9am-2pm 🚽Restrooms located at the playgrounds by Tree Lake, at the Tennis Center, and two more by the frisbee golf 🧺Multiple picnic tables under pavilions, gazebos, and other areas around the park 🍔Charcoal grills 🪑Park benches at playground 🌇Scenic city views from the trails 🖼Large lawn 🌳Shady trees by the playgrounds and frisbee golf areas 🌟Clean grounds 🛣Far from busy roads 🥾Dirt trails that connect to the paved loop. We saw a coyote cross the trail and go into the bushes so keep your animals close! 🚲Paved paths perfect for bikes, scooters, roller blades, and strollers 🦆Duck pond is between the tennis courts, sculpture garden, and frisbee golf ⚾️A TON of baseball fields 🎾Tennis courts (probably some of the nicest courts I’ve seen at a public park! The landscaping around them is so pretty!) 🥏Frisbee golf (this is where the large snake sculpture is)

The following areas are gated and may require admission. Check the website for information (sportscenter.escondido.org): 🛹Skate park ⚽️Soccer fields 🏒Hockey...

Queen Califia's magical Circle is a beautiful maze and sculpture created by Niki de Saint Phalle which can be found in Kit Carson Park. The site is hidden behind a screened fence and can only be seen and visited during three hour window periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as two weekend days per month. Please check their web site to find out when they will be open before heading there so you won't be disappointed. They may also not be open if the weather is inclement. The site is lovely and whimsical and enchanting. The polished stones fitted into the mosaics are little gems each in their own right and are placed with such perfect care. The colors are rich and dazzling. Niki de Saint Phalle's work can be found at major museums and other sites scattered across major European cities and Japan. It's such a joy to find this major work by a prominent female sculptor that celebrates the mythical female warrior and ruler Queen Califia hidden away in a wilderness park in Escondido. It's a wonderful little trek for art enthusiasts and people who want to fill their children's eyes with the magical inspiration of art and beauty. The park also features hiking trails and frisbee golf. From the parking lot by the frisbee golf course, you will see the Magical Circle located up the hill across the creek that runs behind the swings. This parking lot is where the restrooms are located. It's best to drive up to the next parking lot to park because there is a hiking trail at one end of the park that leads right to the gate of the Magical Circle. It's an easy walk. If I can do it, anyone...

Accessibility: this park is accessible for wheelchairs and others as there is disabled parking, paved parking lots and sidewalks. The benches to sit on/near are in the grass however.

This park is big in size but it is more spread out than a lot of other parks in Escondido/North County. It has a tennis court, skate park(you have to pay for a membership to use), a pond, Queen Califia's Magical Garden, Frisbee golf, and lots of grass fields for sports events. Open to the public there are two small playgrounds, bathrooms in small buildings, benches here-and-there in the grass, and lots of trees with tons of shade. There is a creek going through the park but it is dried up. This is a beautiful place to take photos.

Safety: I would consider this an okay, safe area, but only during the day and in the most open places. On smaller, more hidden areas such as walking to Queen Califia's Magical Garden, it is very hidden so I recommend going with other people and only going during the day. Even during day hours I have come across groups of people lingering on those hidden trails so please watch your surroundings always. There are park rangers working that check the grounds but they cannot be everywhere at all times.

Proximity: this park is right next to the mall so if you are able to walk, you can go from this park...