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    Old Escondido Historic District

    5.0 (2 reviews)

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    Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden - Sculpture garden

    Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden

    4.6(156 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    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.

    Truly what a hidden gem! Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful art instillation Queen Califia's…read moreinside of Kit Carson Park is wonderful. I was equally as in awe as my 2 year old was! Free to visit, but heads up the gates are only open to public Tues & Thurs 9-12! - You enter and follow the signs that lead you way back into Kit Carson to a little parking lot then it is a very short walk to get in, when you exit if you turn left (as opposed to right which would go back the parking lot) There is a very nice duck pond with a sitting bench!

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    Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden
    Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden
    Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden - Sculpture garden

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    Sculpture garden

    Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead

    Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead

    4.7(6 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    This adobe is so beautiful, and there's so much history to learn! It's free but they do allow…read moredonations. Walking in I was greeted by a really sweet lady who gave me a tour of the house and explained the story of the house in so much detail. All of the furniture was amazing and the house itself was beautiful. It was fascinating hearing the stories about what went on in each room. They even have a spot in the wall where you can see the original adobe, that was super cool! Check out this hidden gem if you're in the area, it's a great story and a beautiful property.

    I highly recommend the walking excursion from Rancho Bernardo (starting from the Lake Hodge bridge)…read moreto the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead. It takes around 45 minutes at a slow/normal pace and is not only a great workout on a sunny day, but also you will see how well connected is Rancho Bernardo with that initial portion of Escondido. I saw the Adobe house before and after remodeling and I have to say the job done is amazing. Besides, the volunteers and staff working there are very knowledgeable and explain all you want to know about the history of the house, the family that lived there and the incipient population of SD North County, without overwhelming you. The rooms are very nicely decorated and you feel like you are transported to another era, but they don't forget the modern times and I was impressed the first time I went to discover they had an elevator for wheelchair users, so that is a total plus for visitors with disabilities. Sometimes there is a farmers market on Sundays, so the whole thing makes a very nice excursion from-to Rancho Bernardo. By bicycle is also very pleasant, but be ready to find on the way tons of real bicyclists in groups, so watch out the traffic and you will see bridges with different eyes (you will pass below the freeway!).

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    Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead
    Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead
    Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead

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    San Pasqual Battlefield - Endless cactus on trail

    San Pasqual Battlefield

    3.9(12 reviews)
    5.5 mi

    It's a shame that the San Pasqual Battlefield State Park is currently closed for restoration and…read moremaintenance. As a history buff, I enjoy visiting here, the site of the only Mexican American War battle fought in the United States (December 6, 1846). It has a nice Visitor Center, public restrooms, and walking trails in the 50-ish acre park. This is also the ancestral land of the First People, the Kumeyaay. Part of the park restoration is to incorporate the history, culture, and traditional ecological knowledge of the Kumeyaay people into the Park's Visitor Center and trails. I'm looking forward to seeing the results when the park reopens.

    I always would see signs pointing to the direction of the San Pasqual Battlefield. I always…read morewondered what battle was here in Escondido. I learned it was the bloodiest battle in California during the Mexican-American war in 1846. I probably learned about this when I was in school but that was so many years a go. I like refreshing my memory on history so I like going to museums when I can. The museum/visitor center is only opened on the weekends. The park is here as a reminder of the human ideals, actions, and passions that can drive nations to bloodshed. It's really interesting to check out. The museum is very small and the walking trail is really short but I did enjoy my visit and speaking to the man working there. He was telling me of the various individuals that were involved in this battle and the places in San Diego that were named after all these people. I hope to see the battle day the next time they have a re-enactment.

    Photos
    San Pasqual Battlefield - Wild flowers in the park

    Wild flowers in the park

    San Pasqual Battlefield
    San Pasqual Battlefield - Monument

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    Monument

    Old Escondido Historic District - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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