In southwest Escondido, is one of the largest and oldest parks in San Diego County – named after a Native American woman who helped preserve history more than a century ago: Felicita County Park.

This 346-acre park is shaded by tall, old oak trees and sits within the San Dieguito watershed the Felicita Creek flows through the park –providing water for plants, trees and local wildlife.

On site are 2.5 miles of multi-use, non-motorized trails, along with A TRACK Trail designed especially for kids! This brochure-based scavenger hunt guides kids on a nature adventure where they get to keep track of their adventures and later report them online to earn prizes.

Felicita also features a stage and event area, seven reservable picnic areas, two playgrounds, a small park museum and restrooms.

DID YOU KNOW?

Felicita – originally named Hal-ah-wee – LaChappa, was a Native American woman born around 1820. She was the daughter of Pontho, leader of the clan that resided in the San Pasqual Valley. Her colorful life has inspired books and pageants as it spanned several key moments in history: the Mission, Mexican and Pioneer Eras. The park we know today as Felicita was once the site of her large Kumeyaay village, so when it was purchased by San Diego County in 1929, it was named in her honor. To this day, there are still grinding holes in some large rocks dating back some 3,000 to 4,000 years – evidence of the Native American people who once lived there who used them to pound oak acorn flour for cooking. This rich cultural history landed put the park on the National Register of Historic Places.