Descanso, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Descanso, California
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The Descanso Junction restaurant
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Location of Descanso in San Diego County, California.
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 Descanso, California
Location in San Diego County, California
Descanso, California
Location in California
Descanso, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  San Diego |
| Area | |
| • Total | 19.16 sq mi (49.61 km2) |
| • Land | 19.16 sq mi (49.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 3,573 ft (1,089 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,499 |
| • Density | 78.25/sq mi (30.21/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
91916
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| Area code(s) | 619 |
| FIPS code | 06-18940 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2582992 |
Descanso is a small community located in the Cuyamaca Mountains in southeastern San Diego County, California. Its name comes from a Spanish word meaning "rest from labor." The local Kumeyaay people call it Wataay.
In 2020, about 1,499 people lived in Descanso. The United States Census Bureau officially recognizes Descanso as a census-designated place for collecting statistics. It is part of California's 50th congressional district.
Descanso is found east of Alpine and west of Pine Valley. It sits at an elevation of about 3,573 feet (1,089 meters). The community is near the southern entrance to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and borders Cleveland National Forest.
The area was greatly affected by the 2003 Cedar Fire. Descanso has many small ranches and newer homes. Many residents work in San Diego and travel about 50 minutes to get there. Horseback riding and hiking are popular activities because of the nearby recreation areas.
Descanso is home to the Laguna Hotshots, a special firefighting team from the United States Forest Service. Many people in Descanso work as firefighters. Local teenagers often join the Forest Service or the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. These groups also help protect the community from fires and provide emergency medical services.
The ZIP Code for Descanso is 91916, and its area code is 619.
Contents
History of Descanso
In 1884, a group of Spiritualists started a community called Hulburd Grove in the area. Later, in 1898, the people living there opened the Descanso school and the Descanso Town Hall. Peter Jacobs helped develop the area further in 1926 by creating the Descanso Park Addition.
Geography and Climate
Descanso covers an area of about 19.2 square miles (49.8 square kilometers), all of which is land.
What is Descanso's Climate Like?
Descanso has a type of weather called a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Who Lives in Descanso?
The 2020 United States Census counted 1,499 people living in Descanso. Most of the people living there are White. About 10.5% of the population is of Hispanic or Latino background.
In 2010, there were 585 households in Descanso. About 26% of these households had children under 18. Many families were married couples. The average household had about 2.43 people.
The population includes people of all ages. In 2010, about 18% were under 18 years old, and about 13.7% were 65 or older. The average age was 49 years.
Fun Places to Visit in Descanso
There are many interesting places to visit near Descanso:
- Laguna Mountains
- Viejas Casino
- Lake Cuyamaca
- Lake Morena
- Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
- Julian, a historic mining town nearby
- Sweetwater River
Local Churches
- Chapel of the Hills Methodist Church
- Our Lady of Light Catholic Church
See also
In Spanish: Descanso (California) para niños
