Kit Carson Park in Escondido has just about everything! It has playgrounds, picnic areas (covered and uncovered), three ponds (Tree Lake, Duck Lake, and Eagle Scout Lake), baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, a 3,000 capacity outdoor amphitheater, Queen Califia’s Magical Circle sculpture garden, beautiful walking / hiking trails, disc golf, and a sports Center complex with pro shop, 22,000 square-foot skate park, 2 full-size covered roller hockey arenas, 1 full-size soccer arena, 1 “mini” soccer arena and an adult fitness area. Here’s a map!
Alcohol is NOT allowed at Kit Carson Park (but it is allowed at nearby Felicita Park)
Reservation Contact Information:
Click here
Can reserve, parking lot (free), restrooms, drinking fountain, picnic tables, gazebos, public transportation, street parking (free)
Playground, bark, monkey bars, playhouse, slides (big, medium and small), swings (saddle and baby/bucket), tot lot
Large grassy area, hiking trail, large grassy area, ball fields, tennis courts, disc golf, skate park, fitness equipment, recreation center, volley ball
Alcohol NOT allowed (24 hour ban), dogs allowed (LEASHED), Scenic, Art, Lakes, Amphitheater
Kit Carson Playground
The main playground area in Kit Carson park has two playgrounds: one for kids 2-5 and the other for kids 5-12. Both have play structures, swings and bark.
The tot lot is totally separate from the larger playground (they’re separated by a large grassy area). It has a small play structure with interactive elements and two bucket (baby) swings. The bathroom building is right near the tot lot.
Big Kids Playground
Kit Carson’s play area for ages 5-12 is located near the gazebo. It has a large play structure with slides, monkey bars and four saddle swings. There is a sign outside the play area (but near the swings) that warns of poison oak, so be aware!
Restrooms
Kit Carson has several bathroom buildings (the park is 285 acres!). This restroom building is right near the playgrounds. You can see the other bathroom buildings on the map located here.
Queen Califia's Magic Circle
Without question, one of the coolest and most unique things about Kit Carson Park is Queen Califia’s Magic Circle! This amazing sculpture garden is by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. It features large mosaic sculptures, a circular “snake wall” and maze entryway. Queen Califia’s Magical Circle is situated within a 12-acre natural habitat in the Iris Sankey Arboretum.
Queen Califia’s Magic Circle is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm, and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 9am-2pm. Hours do occasionally vary, so check the city’s webpage here.
To find Queen Califia’s Magic Circle, park near Eagle Scout Lake and follow the signs along the short trail to the gate. No food or drink is allowed in the cirlce.
Disc Golf
If you like disc golf, you gotta check out Kit Carson’s disc golf course. It is a full 18-hold disc golf course that is totally free! You can park in the parking lot by the amphitheater and hole 1 is right there. You don’t need reservations to play.
If you want to buy discs, check out SDSF Pro Shop right there. Also, if you find a disc on the course, turn it into SDSF for $1 (and if you lose a disc, you can claim it at the shop for $1).
Kit Carson hosts Disc Golf Tournaments through out year. To see a course map, click here and then click on the button that says “map.”
This guy is hanging out by the disc golf course!
Adult Fitness Court
This new fitness area opened near the Disc Golf course. It has stations for sit-ups, rings, step-ups, stretching and more!
Picnic Areas
Kit Carson is a great spot for a picnic! There are several picnic areas all around the park. You can see them and reserve them here. Tree Lake 1 is the gazebo pictured below (located near the playground).
Ray Love Tennis Center
The tennis center at Kit Carson Park is called the Ray Love Tennis Center. It features 10 lighted courts, restrooms and a snack bar.
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