Last Updated: May 2026
We still had a property in San Diego that we had rented the past couple of years. Our tenants moved out, giving us a great opportunity to make renovations and put it on the market. We changed our travel plans and based ourselves in Escondido — the closest RV park to the house in Rancho Santa Fe. Southern California is an amazing place and it was wonderful to be back after a two-year hiatus. Great year-round weather without mosquitoes, black flies, tornadoes, hail, or hurricanes — just fires and earthquakes. It’s easy to see why so many people live here and pay the insane cost of living.
Escondido, California
It’s sad there are so few RV parks in San Diego that can accommodate a 40-foot motorhome. If there is one, it’s next to a highway, party central, booked out six months in advance, or closed for remodeling. We stayed at the Escondido RV Resort. Overall it was a nice park, but the high price, lack of amenities, and proximity to the highway were turnoffs. We paid less to stay at the amazing Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort, which had a very nice clubhouse, was gated, had five pools and hot tubs, fast internet, and a huge site without highway noise.
Overall, it was a great location for what we needed to do during our stay in San Diego.
Queen Califia’s Magic Circle
Address: Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed Sunday, Monday, and holidays; hours subject to change — call ahead). Admission: Free. Phone: (760) 839-4691. Website: parks.escondido.org.
Queen Califia’s Magic Circle is a sculpture garden created by Niki de Saint Phalle, the celebrated French-American artist who spent her final years in La Jolla. Completed between 2002 and 2003, it was her last major work — and the only Niki de Saint Phalle garden accessible to the public in the Americas. Years ago it was accessible any time of the day, but because of vandalism a locked gate and restricted visiting hours were imposed.
The installation features a circular arena, labyrinth, and nine totemic sculptures entirely covered in colorful mosaic tiles, broken glass, and pebble stones. It depicts Califia, the fictional warrior queen of a mythical island called California — the name that, according to popular belief, eventually gave the state its name. The garden is a true hidden gem in North County San Diego.
Halloween
Even though there were a few children in the RV park, most went to the mall for trick-or-treating. We did get a few little goblins at our door but had way too much candy left over!
Wine Tasting
Address: Ramona Valley AVA, Ramona, CA 92065 (multiple tasting rooms throughout the Ramona Valley). Hours: Most tasting rooms open Thursday through Sunday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (hours vary by winery). Admission: Tasting fees typically $10–$20 per person. Phone: (760) 788-6900 (Ramona Valley Vineyard Association). Website: ramonavalley.org.
The Ramona Valley AVA has significantly improved in quality over the years. Warm days, cool nights, and granitic soils make it particularly well suited to Bordeaux and Rhône varietals. We enjoyed the lovely drive through rolling hills and a very pleasant afternoon of wine tasting.
A wood-fired pizza and wine tasting with incredible views of Escondido — one of those perfect California afternoons.
Perfect late afternoon enjoying a Rombauer Zinfandel and a charcuterie board at our old favorite, The Barrel Room restaurant in Rancho Bernardo.
San Diego Property
What an amazing location and oasis our old neighborhood is. Our property was in The Crosby, a private gated golf club community in Rancho Santa Fe — one of San Diego County’s most exclusive and scenic neighborhoods, named after entertainer Bing Crosby who had deep ties to the area. Great neighbors and a wonderfully landscaped community with lakes, waterfalls, walking trails, and good birding. The golf course, pool, gym, dining, and events were outstanding and never crowded. But it came with expensive property taxes, HOA fees, and club dues — not the kind of place to retire on a fixed budget. Still loving the RV life, and change is good!
The Zinfandel vines we planted eleven years ago are producing incredible fruit.
Leucadia and Solana Beach
Address: Grandview Beach, Neptune Ave at Grandview St, Leucadia/Encinitas, CA 92024 (beach access via staircase from Neptune Ave). Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Admission: Free. Phone: (760) 633-2740 (City of Encinitas Parks & Recreation). Website: visitencinitas.org.
There are plenty of dog-friendly beaches in Southern California. Come fall, the tourists are gone, kids are back in school, and the beaches are beautifully empty.
Sandy’s friend from nursing school was in San Diego while we were there. We really enjoyed visiting with Melanie and her son Dario, especially under a stunning Leucadia sunset. It was wonderful seeing a few old friends and Michael’s dad as time permitted. San Diego is an amazing place — maybe one day we will move back. Sandy says NOT!
Practical Tips
Book Escondido RV Resort well in advance. San Diego-area RV parks that can accommodate a 40-foot motorhome are scarce, and the few quality options fill quickly. Reserve three to six months ahead, especially for fall travel when the weather is ideal.
Visit Queen Califia’s Magic Circle on a weekday morning. The garden is only open Tuesday through Saturday and closes for holidays — always call ahead or check the city parks website to confirm current hours. Arriving right at 9:00 a.m. when the gate opens means you’ll often have the space to yourself for the first half hour.
Plan a mid-week Ramona Valley wine loop. Most tasting rooms are uncrowded on weekdays and staff have more time to walk you through the wines. The drive through Ramona’s rolling hills is scenic in any season, and combining two or three tasting stops makes for an ideal half-day outing from Escondido.
Time your Leucadia beach visits for fall or winter. San Diego’s dog-friendly beaches are best after Labor Day when the summer crowds thin dramatically. Grandview Beach in Leucadia is a beautiful, relatively uncrowded spot accessible by a staircase from Neptune Avenue, with spectacular sunset views to the west.
The Barrel Room in Rancho Bernardo is a perfect late-afternoon stop. This wine bar and restaurant offers an excellent selection of California wines, outstanding charcuterie boards, and a relaxed atmosphere. Pair a Rombauer Zinfandel with a charcuterie board and let the afternoon drift by.
Bring binoculars to the Rancho Santa Fe and Escondido area. Even if you’re not staying in a gated community, the oak-studded corridors and creek trails of North County San Diego’s inland valleys are excellent for birding — raptors, woodpeckers, and California quail are commonly spotted in autumn.
FAQ
What is Queen Califia’s Magic Circle? Queen Califia’s Magic Circle is a monumental sculpture garden in Kit Carson Park in Escondido, created by the celebrated French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle between 2002 and 2003. It was her last major work and remains the only Niki de Saint Phalle garden accessible to the public in the entire Americas. The installation features a circular mosaic arena, a labyrinth, and nine towering totemic sculptures covered in colorful broken tile and glass, all depicting the legendary warrior queen Califia of California mythology.
Who was Niki de Saint Phalle? Niki de Saint Phalle (1930–2002) was a renowned French-American sculptor known for her bold, colorful, large-scale mosaic works. She spent her final years in La Jolla, California, where she created Queen Califia’s Magic Circle as a gift to the city of Escondido. Her work appears in public spaces and museums worldwide, including the famous Tarot Garden in Tuscany, Italy, and the Stravinsky Fountain outside the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
How did California get its name? The name “California” is widely believed to derive from “Califia,” the fictional warrior queen of the mythical Island of California in the 16th-century Spanish novel Las Sergas de Esplandián by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. The island was described as a paradisiacal land ruled by Black women warriors and overflowing with gold. Early Spanish explorers gave the name to what they believed was an island, and it eventually became the name of the state. Niki de Saint Phalle chose Queen Califia as her subject to honor this rich cultural heritage.
What is The Crosby in Rancho Santa Fe? The Crosby is a private gated golf club community in Rancho Santa Fe, one of San Diego County’s most exclusive and beautifully landscaped neighborhoods. Named in honor of entertainer Bing Crosby, who had a long association with the area, The Crosby features a private golf course, lakes, waterfalls, walking trails, a clubhouse with dining and events, and extensive grounds that are excellent for birding. It is located in the inland hills of North County San Diego, approximately 25 miles from downtown.
Is the Ramona Valley wine region worth visiting? Absolutely. The Ramona Valley AVA in San Diego County has matured significantly over the past decade and now produces genuinely impressive wines, particularly Bordeaux and Rhône varietals. The valley’s warm days, cool nights, and granitic soils create excellent growing conditions. It offers a far more relaxed and personal tasting experience than better-known regions like Napa or even nearby Temecula, with the added bonus of a very scenic drive through rolling hills.
Are there dog-friendly beaches near Leucadia and Solana Beach? Yes — several San Diego County beaches welcome dogs. Grandview Beach in Leucadia is a beautiful, relatively uncrowded option accessible via a staircase from Neptune Avenue with spectacular sunset views. Del Mar’s City Beach, often called Dog Beach, is one of Southern California’s most popular off-leash beaches, located about 10 miles south. The best time to visit with dogs is fall and winter, when crowds thin and beach conditions are often at their most pleasant.
So glad you guys had this opportunity! I hope the house sells quickly! Happy travels!
Thank you! It was so nice being back and so nice to be traveling again!