Queen Califia’s Magical Circle
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle in Escondido’s Kit Carson Park, the only American sculpture garden and last major international project created by Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle, opened to the public on October 26, 2003. Inspired by California’s mythic, historic and cultural roots, the garden consists of nine large-scale sculptures, a rippling 400-foot “snake wall” and maze entryway. An imposing mosaic sculpture of Queen Califia standing on the back of a five-legged eagle commands the center of the garden. Eight totem sculptures measuring between 11 and 21 feet tall surround Califia.
Escondido, San Diego County
Images by Andrew Schmidt