Descanso, CA

Tucked into the Cuyamaca Mountains of East County San Diego, Descanso is a quiet rural community of about 1,500 residents. Sitting at an elevation of nearly 3,500 feet, the area enjoys crisp mountain air, starry night skies, and occasional winter snow. True to its name, which translates to "place of rest" in Spanish, Descanso is made up of horse properties, small ranches, and homes on generous acreage. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and the Cleveland National Forest border the valley, giving residents miles of hiking and riding trails right out their back doors.

ATTRRsduhamel at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0

Life here moves at a relaxed pace. Younger kids attend Descanso Elementary, while older students commute to neighboring schools in the Mountain Empire Unified School District. Most residents head into nearby Alpine for major grocery runs, banking, and dining. With Highway 79 and Interstate 8 close at hand, you can reach central San Diego in under an hour while returning home to peace, privacy, and open country.