Well here in Escondido and Looking around and pulled up to this park . So Grove Park is not as big…read moreas normal parks . Compared to parks in San Diego . Has some play areas for kids and lots of greenery . With benches you can sit . As for Parking it is a bit of a hassle . You got to park near a really old gas station also there is basketball hoops for you to shoot around or if you want to just walk around and relax . I saw some people sleeping on the grass . But it feels kind of weird here but still a decent park . Overall I enjoyed it and I shall be back and enjoy again !!!

Nice little park with even a little playground and slide. We got a smash burger from Farm to Smash…read morenearby and drove here to enjoy it out on the blanket while our toddler played on the playground. Clean, plenty of coal grills for those that want to grill, and lots of green space. Great little spot in Escondito!

Pretty park, so peaceful and you can even do a small walk via a path that will conduct you to the…read moreSerbian Church across the street. I had a very pleasant picnic when working in the area. Easy to park my car, nice environment of a few children playing but overall very quiet and calm. Clean tables for picnics and nice view from above.

Absolutely beautiful park located in San Marcos near Costco. It's hidden, big, quiet, and peaceful…read more Tons of grass, trees providing shade, benches, and a playground. There is one drinking fountain but no bathrooms.

Woodland Park is a nice place to walk your dog....they keep the park nice....there is a playground…read morefor the kids....they have tables with benches scattered around...on the weekends especially, people reserve tables for parties..

We came upon Woodland Park today on our way to pick up dragon fruit cuttings in San Marcos, and I…read morehad to check it out. This City of San Marcos park is modest in size. It has a beautiful perimeter of trees and shrubs. Inside, there's open green space with a pond, covered picnic tables, and playground equipment. There's a swimming pool at the northern end, but I didn't explore that end of the park. Next time we come out this way, we'll have to enjoy a picnic here. Street parking only.

Nice, breezy, plenty of shade, clean, friendly atmosphere and tucked away.. This park is a hidden…read moregem. It's safe and fun for the kids. There are BBQs, restrooms, and plenty of grassy areas if you wanted to take your pets or children to burn off some energy.

We're traveling the country and for a few weeks are at the RV park connected to this place…read more It adds a nice overlook, paved path, playground and open ground. The infrastructure is worn but is in okay shape. What it needs is some health and safety enforcement: the glass to stop being dropped by visitors, dogs to be leashed by visitors, and the homeless to be kept from living on the hillside. I just started to explore a trail and turned around not wanting to walk past a homeless "camper."

This is a nice good walk. Excellent lake view lots of ducks to watch too. I love it when the cactus…read morebloom they are so beautiful! I start at the bottom near Silver Shadow and walk up to the recreation center. They're are restrooms and a faucet if you need water for your pups. I like to use the trails instead of the main walking road it gives me more of a workout. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes from March through October. If you let them pass they aren't a threat. I do this walk/hike by myself it's never stopped me. I love it here

Well being in San Marcos we decided on coming to Jacks Pond Park . Let me tell you this park has a…read moresmall parking lot . Next lots of families have Birthday parties here and there are a few Barns here . With a couple of benches for you to sit . There is a trail here but the trail is not too long pretty easy . There is a Playground for kids also . Lots of greenery and Barn style design . Lots of trees and leaves everywhere . But this park is not as big as the others I have been to . Overall nice park and good for families or just to relax and enjoy the park . I can see myself coming back and enjoying again !!

It's a fun neighborhood park, with some extra-special things…read more First of all, the lake. From this park, there's a nice, flat, shaded walk around Discovery Lake. It's relaxing and beautiful. Many times of the day, there's enough of a breeze to keep things cool. Second, there's a fun playground for the kiddos. Even if you don't have kids with you, I like hearing the sound of kids playing. I enjoy that this is a great place to start for a hike up to Double Peak Park. If you are working your way up to hiking further, you don't need to go very far to get to some nice view spots.

I'm not in this area often, but whenever I am, this park is a must-visit! It's the perfect spot to…read morerelax with a picnic in one of the many shady areas or stay active and enjoy the outdoors. The flat trail around the lake makes for a peaceful walk, and if you're looking for more of a challenge, you can continue up to Double Peak (maybe next time for me!) The scenery is beautiful, the trails are well-maintained, and there's plenty of space to unwind. I'd love to bring my niece and nephew here this summer for a playground and picnic day. They would have a blast exploring and enjoying the open space! Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area!

Hollandia Park is a beautiful place for a stroll…read more It has something for everyone: a fantastic playground with a climbing wall for the kids, a great skate park, and it's totally dog-friendly. Parking along the road is super easy, too.

My grandkids are enjoying playing here this evening.... they are enjoying the climbing structure,…read more as well as the other equipment....it's early evening and a good time to play..

A park famous for its osk trees!…read more A quick walk for grandkids to enjoy the park's track trail! Offers playground ,picnic areas with barbecue , volleyball court and restrooms as well!

3 5 stars. I think this is an OK park with some fun to be had, but the $5 to park (no longer $3) is…read morea huge turnoff and I don't see the $5 being put into the park more than other free public parks I've been too. Definitely a fun place to go to once in a while and especially fun for birthday, but due to the fee, I don't come frequently.

What a greet place to have your kids growing up playing all kinds of sports. Whether it's soccer,…read morebaseball or football, the park has organized competition. Plenty of parking and a great place to walk around the pond. Afterwards, make your way over to the shopping center just blocks away for lunch or dinner. We love the Mediterranean Restaurant, Panini Grill. Make it an outing even if you don't watch your kids or grandkids play at the park.

I had never been to the beautiful Kit Carson Park before the Sunday morning day of my very first…read morevisit. I understand from speaking with local people who reside in the area of Kit Carson Park that Kit Carson was a very popluar Frontiersman in the days of old. I specifically travelled form La Mesa to Kit Carson Park in Escondido, California to see the Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden. The garden is situated behind a tall locked gate, However, the entire garden is indeed open on the second and fourth Saturday of each and every month. Be sure to keep that in close mind when you travel up to Escondido for the event.

Tucked away inside the massive 285 acre Kit Carson Park, you'll find Queen Califia's Magical Circle…read moreGarden by renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Completed and opened to the public on October 26, 2003, this whimsical, meaningful, and colorful sculpture garden is surrounded by an incredible 400 foot snake wall. Once you meander through the mosaic & mirrored mini-maze, there are nine freestanding sculptures: Cathead Totem Birdhead Totem Yelling Man Totem Bullhead Totem Untitled Totem (Bird on a Square) Kingfisher Totem Step Totem Snake Totem Each totem is something marvelous to behold, and de Saint Phalle's mosaic work is simply spectacular. There are also 3 freestanding benches faced in travertine marble by Pierre-Marie Lejeune that measure from 13-20 feet in length. In my opinion, the standout feature of the garden is the central structure called Queen Califia and the Eagle Throne. It is so beautifully unique, and the space underneath almost feels sacred with the golden egg (former) fountain and the spectacular celestial ceiling. Queen Califia was a legendary black Amazonian who was believed to rule a terrestial island of gold and riches "to the right of the Indies." It is only fitting that this special garden has been erected in her honor. In fact, this is the only American sculpture garden by Niki de Saint Phalle! The garden is surrounded by a locked fence and is only open on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9am-12pm, and on 2nd & 4th Saturdays from 9am-2pm. Docents were available to answer questions today, and they are usually onsite during the hours when the garden is open. This special space is certainly worth a visit, and it would be lovely to pair it with a hike and a picnic in the park for sure. Keep in mind that there is a short walking trail that you need to traverse to get to the garden after you've parked your car, Additionally, you can hike in from other areas of the park as well. Be sure to take a look at the story boards to the right of the entrance facing the snake wall before you enter to gain more history and context for this special installation that we are lucky to have in Escondido. Entry is free and parking is free. There are bathrooms in the park. I took about 20 minutes to peruse the area, and that was enough time for this visit (it was also 90 degrees), but do plan accordingly depending on your interests and needs. Peace.

When I knew I'd be spending a few days in Escondido, I started looking into all that this San Diego…read moresuburb comes to offer. After checking out TripAdvisor, Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden stood out. I'm all about art, especially when the scale is impressive like it is here. We stopped by on a Tuesday morning around 9:30 a.m. Make sure to check out their website to see when they're open because their hours are quite limited (Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. when I was there and every fourth Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.). It's located inside Kit Carson Park. I didn't have any trouble parking in their lot and then walking to the sculpture garden. Once you arrive, take in all the artist, Niki de Saint Phalle, created. It's weird, it's cool, and it's trippy all in one. There's some information you can read to learn more and while we were there, there were some members of the non-profit that is involved with the art installation there that told us more about it. Walk around and take it all in. You can easily do it in 10-15 minutes and it's a free attraction. Saint Phalle has other artwork in San Diego, but the Magical Circle Garden, is by far the most expansive one in terms of scope. And the most interesting in my book.