Even though it was opened to the public in October of 2003, I only recently discovered this magical place. This wonderful Sculpture garden was dontated to the City of Escondido by French-american Artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The center piece of the Garden is a Sculpture of Queen Califia riding on her giant eagle.



She is surrounded by 8 totemic sculptures. They are adorned with geometric giant humans and a variety of other animals.
The garden is encompassed by a wall topped with friendly squirming two-headed snakes.
Guests enter the garden through a maze tiled in black,white and mirrored tiles.

Cost:Free!!

Ages: Great for All ages but adult supervision is required

Directions: Queen Califa's Magical Circle is located in Kit Carson Park. From I-15 Take Via Rancho Parkway Exit. Go east. Turn Left on Mary Lane. Follow this past the park to the Arroyo Del Oro picnic area. Turn left at the stop sign. Park in the lot & follow the signs to the garden.
Hours: 8:30 to 6:30 Every day except Monday (closed for Maintainance) May be closed on rainy days for saftey reasons (the tiles get slipery when wet.)

Lake Dixon is hidden away in the northern corner of Escondido. Named for Jim Dixon, member of an early Escondido family, and long time Superintendent of the Escondido Water Company, this facility offers fishing, picnic facilities, camping and boating.


The lake is stocked with Rainbow trout, Bass, Catfish, Bluegill and Crappie. I'm not a fisher but I've hear the fishing is very good here. As a matter of fact Lake Dixon may have been the home of a world record 23 lb Bigmouth Bass! They allow night fishing during the summer months. A State of California Fishing License is required and there is a small daily fee for fishers. You may keep your catch up to the state's limit but catch & release is strongly encouraged.
There are shelters for picnicers that are first come first serve, but they can be reserved for a fee by calling (760) 741-3328 or by going to the Concession building at the lake.

Some Campsites offer a view of the city below. At night the city lights can be impressive. Some have veiws of the lake which can also be quite impressive. The standard campsites have tables, charcoal grill and lockers. For a $5 upgrade, you will also get water, electricity and sewer. There is also a single cabin available for special needs campers.

Power boats, Row boats and paddle boats are available for rent at the lake. Private craft are not allowed.

Hours: Dixon Lake is open year-round. Gates open at 6:00 a.m. daily; The park entrance closes at dusk.

Cost: Weekday entrance to the day use facilities is Free!!
On Weekends & Holidays Only day use entrance fees are $3 for cars, $5 for busses
Please visit the City of Escondido's Site Official Lake Dixon information Site for Camping, Boating and picnic shelter rental fee amounts.

Ages: All ages are welcome but sorry, pets of any age are not allowed

Directions: From I-15 take the El Norte parkway exit. Go east on El Norte parkway. Turn Left on La Honda Drive.

Those of us who call Escondido home are lucky to live just minutes away from the world famous San Diego Wild Animal Park. But if you don't want to make the trip, pay the admission and fight the crowds, check out the wildlife on Grand Avenue.
Start with LLL Reptiles. You'll be greeted by Argie, a 5 foot Argus monitor who lives in the front window.

Just inside the door is a big tank that has had various critters in it. Once it was a giant snapping turtle, more recently this small alligator!(neither Argie or the alligator are for sale)
The walls are lined with aquariums and tanks containing all sorts of lizards, snakes and turtles. My 4 year old Grandson & Nephew are just crazy for this place. The staff doesn't seem to mind looky-loos



Cost:Free!! But if we want to keep good retail experiances on Grand, we need to show them some love. So if you're not in the market for a lizard, buy a book or magazine...or how about a nice frozen rodent....yum!

Ages: Maybe not so great for infants, ok for kids but adult supervision is required

Directions: Take 15 freeway, exit Valley Parkway. Go East and continue on Valley, turns into 2nd. Turn Left on Juniper. Turn Left on Grand.
They are located at the end of the block on the right hand side at 214 E. Grand Avenue
They can also be found on the internet at
LLL Reptile

Hours: Open everyday from 11 to 6

Located in Grape Day Park, The Escondido History Center is a complex of historic buildings. Included in these historic buildings is the Old Escondido Train station, which now houses a exhibit of historic memorabilia.
Next to the station a train car is parked. Inside the Train car is a H-O scale model train exhibit showing the route of the long defunct train service between Oceanside and Escondido
The buildings are historicaly accurate based on old photos. You'll need to go to the Train station to access the train car.Staff from the Train station will escort your party to the train car.



Cost: Suggested donation: $3 adults, $1 children

Ages: Great for all ages. This is one of my 4 year old grandsons favorites.

Directions:
From San Diego
Valley Parkway exit off I-15. East to Escondido Blvd, turn left. Right on Woodward to Broadway, turn right. Grape Day Park is on the right side of the street in the next block.

Hours: Our Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1pm to 4pm. (note: the train car is apparently not air conditioned. So you might want to make your visits on a coolish day)

The Lawrence Welk Musuem is located in the lobby of the Resort Theater.
As you approach the theater check out the musical notes imbedded in the walkway, the bronze quarter note fountain and take a photo with the lifesize bronze statue of Mr. Welk


Inside the Museum you can veiw such treasures as the worlds largest Champaign Glass, Photographs of Welk as Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade in 1972, and three yes three gold records!

There is a set of his bedroom at the Welk homested in Strasburg, ND. Next to this is a scene of radio station WNAX, where he was first heard on radio.
Photos and posters adorn the wall telling the tale of his travels with the "Hotsy Totsy Boys," "Welk's Novelty Orchestra" and the "Honolulu Fruit Orchestra".
My Favorite poster is the banner showing Lawrence Welk as a very young man in a bullfighter like costume with the words "Peerless Entertainer".

Don't leave without taking your photo with the lifesize(?) cut out of Lawrence Welk with baton in hand as if ready to say, "Ana one, ana two."
While you're at the resort you really should consider taking in one of their Broadway style performances. Also take a minute to peruse the gift shop next to the theater. They always have fun, sometimes kitchy, gifts and clothing there. They also carry local artist pieces from time to time.


Cost:Free!! But watchout for lurking timeshare salesmen!

Ages: Great for all ages but Your kids will HATE you for dragging them out here. They won't understand what a wonderful cultural heritage education you're trying to give them. Leave them at home...take Grandma instead

Directions: From I-15 take exit 37 for Deer Springs Rd toward Mountain Meadow Rd. Turn left at Champagne Blvd. Turn right at Lawrence Welk Dr

Hours:Museum hours are 9:30 a.m to 4:45 p.m. daily, except holidays.

Much of San Diego county is, in fact, a desert. So who would expect to find Ice Skating in the desert?!? Yet here it is The Iceoplex, two Olympic sized, state of the art, dual sheet ice rinks.


The Iceoplex is open to the public and has several skate sessions for public skating every day. They also have a schedule for pick-up hockey games. With seating for 300, the Iceoplex frequently host national figure skating and Amateur hockey events. Iceoplex offers skate lessons and Amateur hockey leagues. They also have Birthday Party packages that include skating, Pizza, Soda and cake.


The Iceoplex also houses a fitness & aquatics center with weight gym, cardio and strength programs and equipment. There is also an indoor pool where private swimming lessons are available.

Ages: I saw children who appeared to be about 4 or 5 out skating on the ice. They have supports available for them. Obviously, this probably isn't a place where infants would be happy, but I think it's great for kids & adults as well.

Hours: There are numerous public skate sessions throughout the day. Please see the schedule on the "Iceoplex web site" for more information on hours

Cost: $10 for Adult admission and skate rental ($8 FOR Admission only) $9 for Children under 12 admission and skate rental ($6.50 FOR Admission only) For information on Birthday parties, pick-up hockey or Skate lesson prices call the Iceoplex at (760)489-5550

Directions: From the 15 take exit 31 for Valley Pkwy. Turn east at W Valley Pkwy. Turn left at N Tulip Street. The iceoplex is at 555 N. Tulip

When your done visiting the reptiles cross the street and visit Bird Haven. In addition to having a huge supply of bird care supplies, they have a huge bird room. The bird room is full of all kinds of pet birds, from Cockatiels to Finches. Many of the larger bird are quite sociable.

Towards the back of the store is the nursery where you can see the bird shops more delicate young Birds.



Cost:Free!! But again, if we want to keep good retail experiances on Grand, we need to show them some love. Buy a book or magazine or maybe a finch!

Ages: Maybe not for infants & small children should probably look at the bird room from the outside, ok for kids but close adult supervision is required

Directions: Take 15 freeway, exit Valley Parkway. Go East and continue on Valley, turns into 2nd. Turn Left on Kalmia. Turn Right on Grand.
They are located at the end of the block on the left hand side at 249 E Grand Ave

Hours:Monday-Friday 10:00am-6:00pm,
Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm

Be sure to stop back by soon to see new attractions such as Daily Ranch and The Mingei International Museum

Thanks for taking the time to check out Staycation Escondido. I love Escondido & I hope you enjoyed this little slice of it.

Peace,
Bead Brain