Kit Carson Park: Duck Pond to Queen Califia's Magical Circle

Kit Carson Park is a gorgeous 285 acre park in Escondido! This park has it all: recreation center, sports fields, amphitheater, duck pond, sculpture garden, hiking trails, disc golf, many playgrounds, seasonal creek, acres of grass, and so much more!!

There are many different walking paths and trails in Kit Carson Park, but the path from the duck pond to the sculpture garden is definitely the most fun for kids! A few important notes about the Queen Califia’s Magical Circle garden. It is only open a few hours per week. Check their website before you go to see what their current hours are. They will also close if it is raining or has rained recently. If it is open there will be a docent there to answer any questions you have. They don’t allow food to be eaten inside the garden, but there is a picnic table right outside.

The duck pond is right next to the amphitheater parking lot. Spend as much time as your little one wants at the duck pond, then when you are ready take the path next to the pond away from the parking lot. You will pass a grass field on your right. The path will T, take the left path, then immediately the trail will fork and the sculpture garden is off the right fork (see the purple arrow below on the picture). Go up the small hill and the sculpture garden is on the right. Enjoy your time in the garden! Once you are done, you can either take the same trail back to the pond, or you can spend more time at Kit Carson doing one of the other many activities the park offers!

Restrooms: There are many restrooms throughout the park. The closest one to the duck pond/sculpture garden is through the grass field.