Map of Descanso CDP

Descanso (Spanish for “Rest”; Kumeyaay: Wataay) is a small unincorporated community in the Cuyamaca Mountains, within the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, California. The community’s name is a Spanish word meaning “rest from labor”.

The population was 1,423 at the 2010 census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau as designated Descanso as a census-designated place. It is in California’s 50th congressional district.

Descanso is located east of Alpine and west of Pine Valley. At a 3,450 feet (1,050 m) elevation, it is located at the south entrance to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and also borders Cleveland National Forest to the west and east.

The area was heavily threatened by the 2003 Cedar Fire. The community consists of many small ranches and newer homes of San Diego commuters. Horseback riding and hiking are frequent pastimes due to the proximity to San Diego’s back-country recreation areas. It is approximately a 50-minute commute from downtown San Diego. The majority of residents generally commute to San Diego as the local job market is limited. Community radio station KNSJ operates out of Descanso.

The Descanso Fire Station of the United States Forest Service is home to the Laguna Hotshots. Descanso is home to many firefighters, and many local teenagers join either the Forest Service or the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (which also provides direct fire and EMS protection to the community).

The ZIP Code is 91916 and the community is inside area code 619.

Descanso CDP overview:
Name:	Descanso CDP
LSAD Code:	57
LSAD Description:	CDP (suffix)
State:	California
County:	San Diego County
Elevation:	3,573 ft (1,089 m)
Total Area:	19.16 sq mi (49.61 km²)
Land Area:	19.16 sq mi (49.61 km²)
Water Area:	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km²) 0%
Total Population:	1,499
Population Density:	78.25/sq mi (30.21/km²)
ZIP code:	91916
Area code:	619
FIPS code:	0618940
GNISfeature ID:	2582992

Online Interactive Map

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Descanso online map. Source: Basemap layers from Google Map, Open Street Map (OSM), Arcgisonline, Wmflabs. Boundary Data from Database of Global Administrative Areas.