Queen Califia, San Diego Less Traveled, Trip WellnessMysterious beauty in San Diego’s North County

Of all the outdoor attractions scattered across San Diego, none is as unusual or colorful than Queen Califia’s Magical Circle in North County. To come across this huge installation in Kit Carson Park without initiation is dumbfounding. What is this gigantic, mosaic artwork doing here in an isolated spot next to ballparks and picnic benches?

That mystery is part of the charm and also its downfall. One of the last sculptures that the artist, Nicki de St. Phalle created, the 12 acre site was donated by the City of Escondido and had been open since 2003 from sunrise to sunset. Over the years, vandalism and weather took its toll, and the Garden was closed. It recently reopened to the public on the first Saturday of the month from 10 am until 2 pm and by appointment for groups. It’s worth the effort to walk into and through the maze, have your kids climb the textured benches and run hands across the embedded stones.

Like many larger-than-life creative artists, the French-American sculptor was considered controversial. Her pieces are completely unique yet universally relatable. They stand somewhere between cartoon and classic, often drawing on legendary or mythological figures. A prolific artist, St. Phalle most often worked in polymer and lived in San Diego from 1994 to 2002. Like so many, she found the climate ideal. Sadly toxic fumes from working with plastics ultimately led to her death in La Jolla. She won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Queen Calafia Magical Garden, San Diego Less Traveled, Trip Wellness

Central figure in Queen Calafia’s Magical Garden. Photo – Dave Rudie

Like many larger-than-life creative artists, the French-American sculptor was considered controversial. Her pieces are completely unique yet universally relatable. They stand somewhere between cartoon and classic, often drawing on legendary or mythological figures. A prolific artist, St. Phalle most often worked in polymer and lived in San Diego from 1994 to 2002. Like so many, she found the climate ideal. Sadly toxic fumes from working with plastics ultimately led to her death in La Jolla. She won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Queen Calafia, San Diego Less Traveled, Trip Wellness

Totems inside Queen Calafia’s Garden – Photo: Dave Rudie

The Garden Revealed

Queen Califia, is a fictional warrior created by the Spanish writer, Garcia Rodriguez de Montalvo, in his popular  novel from the year 1500, Las Sergas de Esplandian (Adventures of Esplandian.) The warrior queen was conquered and is often considered the spirit of California, symbolizing the abundant and wild land before the Europeans forcefully claimed it.

That spirit undulates and sparkles in the Escondido Garden. Totem pole-styled towers are set around an inner, circular courtyard. A giant snake wriggles across the top of the boundary wall. There are eggs, giant birds and other creatures drawn from the natural world climbing, flying and etched into the various surfaces. Above them all stands the Queen. You won’t forget her once you see her.

heart detail, san diego less traveled, trip wellness

Photo – Derek Abbey, Trover.com

International Connections

Nicki de St. Phalle’s work is unforgettable and in parks and collections across the globe. I’ll always remember the first time I spied one of her pieces.  I was driving from Tokyo into the mountainous Hakone area.  Suddenly, standing in the middle of a large, green lawn was the figure of a gigantic woman, Miss Black Power, colorful and completely out of place.  It was my introduction to St. Phalle’s work and the first hint of the rolling acres of art that lay beyond in the Hakone Open Air Museum.  I can’t recommend enough to add spending a day there to your Tokyo itinerary. But until you can explore Japan, there are many of St. Phalle’s sculptures across San Diego County.

Other Nicki de St. Phalle sculptures in San Diego Less Traveled:

Mingei Museum Angel, San Diego Less Traveled, Trip Wellness

Angel hanging in the San Diego Mingei Museum. Photo: Elaine Masters

UCSD Campus
Sun God

Escondido’s Kit Carson Park
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden – Directions: Take I-15 North: East on Via Rancho Parkway, which turns into Bear Valley Parkway. Turn left at Mary Lane into Kit Carson Park. Right on to Amphitheatre Drive, then follow the signs.

Balboa Park
Mingei Museum – Nikigator, Poet and Muse
Hall of Champions – The Baseball Player (Homage to Tony Gwynn)
The Basketball Player (Homage to Michael Jordan)

UCSD Campus
Sun God

San Diego Convention Center
Coming Together

La Jolla-Museum of Contemporary Art
San Diego – Elephant, Mouse
Big Ganesha (behind museum)

Escondido – California Center for the Arts
One cat, two seals

Carlsbad Poinsettia Park
Two large lions

Looking for hotels in San Diego not far from Queen Calafia’s Magical Garden? There are many hotels throughout San Diego County such as the Ramada San Diego.

Find many other San Diego less traveled places and unique events in San Diego at Excursiopedia.com

This post was sponsored but completely inspired by my experience and perspectives.

 

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