A Magical Space in Escondido
A gift to the City of Escondido, Queen Califia's Magical Circle, located in Kit Carson Park, is the only American sculpture garden and the last major international project created by Niki de Saint Phalle. Inspired by California's mythic, historic, and cultural roots, the space consists of nine large-scale sculptures, a circular "snake wall" and maze entryway, sculpturally integrated bench seating, and native shrubs and trees planted within the interior plaza and along the outer perimeter. Queen Califia's Magical Circle bears the brilliant, unique mosaic ornamentation that is an unmistakable part of Saint Phalle's later work.