More and more people are making Escondido their “City of Choice.” As the heart of San Diego North, it is one of the few remaining communities where people of all income levels can enjoy the Southern California lifestyle. In addition, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, brings world class entertainment to the area along with Queen Califia’s Magical Circle, a sculpture garden in Kit Carson Park donated by late internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle. In recent years Escondido was named by Money Magazine as the Best Place in the West to retire and, at the other end of the spectrum, was named a Kid-Friendly City for the broad range of youth programs. Ladies Home Journal also ranked Escondido number eight among the Top Ten Cities for Government.