Visitor Guide

Admission

Visiting is free during normal operating hours. 

Queen Califia's Magical Circle is accessible via a non-paved flat path with paved pathways inside the sculpture garden. To make additional access accommodations, please email us at publicart@escondido.gov.

Operating Hours

  • Tuesdays - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Thursdays - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • During select holiday weekends, Queen Califia's Magical Circle will be open extra days and/or hours. Please see the events page for more information.

The exhibit is not open when it is raining or if it has rained within the last 24 hours.

Group Visits

When visiting during normal operating hours with a large group, we ask that you notify us via email (publicart@escondido.gov) at least a week in advance to allow our docents to prepare for your visit.

Private Tours

1-hour private tours are available for groups of 10 or more people, outside of normal operating hours, and pending availability of our private tour docents.

All private tours must be requested and paid for at least 4 weeks in advance. Tours can be rescheduled once within 30 days and notice of cancellation must be given at least 10 days before the tour date for a refund.  Any cancellations less than 10 days will not receive a refund.

Beginning July 1, 2024, all private tours will have a fee of $5 per person.  Fees collected will be deposited into a preservation fund to ensure that future generations can enjoy Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden.

To schedule a private tour please visit our booking page.

Directions

Queen Califia's Magical Circle is located in Escondido's Kit Carson Park. The park's entrance is five minutes from the Via Rancho Parkway exit off I-15 at the intersection of Bear Valley Parkway and Mary Lane; then follow signs to parking.

Address: 3333 Bear Valley Parkway. Escondido, CA 92025

Visitor Rules & Guidelines

The following rules and guidelines must be followed by all visitors of Queen Califia’s Magical Circle.  Failure to follow these guidelines may result in expulsion from Queen Califia’s Magical Circle:

  • No food, drinks, or picnics are allowed at any time.
  • All children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult (18 and over) guardian at all times.
  • One adult guardian per 10 children is required.
  • No running, playing, or roughhousing on or around the sculptures is not permitted.
  • No sports balls, bouncy balls, bikes, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, roller skates, roller blades, etc. are allowed in Queen Califia’s Magical Circle at any time.
  • No soliciting.
  • Conduct deemed disorderly, disruptive, offensive, harassing, inappropriate, or threatening to the health, safety, and well-being of staff, docents, or guests will not be tolerated, and wherein the disruptive party will be asked to leave.
  • Dogs and service animals (as defined by state and federal regulations) are welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
  • Personal photography is allowed; however, tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted. 
    • City staff and other members of the general public may not be photographed without their express consent.
    • Photographs of Queen Califia’s Magical Circle may not be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially used in any manner without the express written consent of the City of Escondido and the Niki Charitable Art Foundation.
    • For press and other special photography, including film and video projects, please contact the Public Art staff directly.
  • Wet media (including but not limited to pens, markers, and paint) are not allowed.  Pencils are permitted while in the garden.
  • Tobacco, including smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or vaping devices, are not allowed.
  • Firearms and weapons are not permitted.