Alpine

History

Before its modern settlement, the area was part of the home of the Kumeyaay Indians, whose ancestors had lived here for possibly as long as 12,000 years. The community's name was suggested by a resident in the 1880s who said that the environment reminded her of her native country of Switzerland. The small commercial district along Alpine Boulevard has seen some suburban development in recent decades, and it is surrounded by large stretches of less densely populated rural areas that began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Horse ranches and small farms are still common, along with open chaparral hillsides and riparian canyons. In 2003, the Cedar Fire ravaged the Alpine area.

Geography

Alpine sits on both sides of Interstate 8 at the eastern extent of the California coastal region and the western extent of the Peninsular Ranges, about east of downtown San Diego, at an elevation of about . The location of Alpine is not precisely defined since it is an unincorporated area. According to the United States Geological Survey, it is at (32.8350521, -116.7664109), which is near the intersection of Alpine Boulevard and Tavern Road. That is approximately where most maps place Alpine. Kumeyaay tribes are indigenous to the area, and the Ewiiaapaayp Band and Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians both have headquarters in Alpine. According to the United States Census Bureau, it is at (32.834563, -116.770615), which is approximately west of the USGS location. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , 99.99% land and 0.01% water. Viejas Mountain is the highest peak in the area, at . Wright's Field is a nature reserve located in Alpine. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Alpine has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps. Summers are warm and dry, and winters are cool with moderate precipitation. Temperatures are more extreme than coastal San Diego, similar to nearby El Cajon and Ramona, and less extreme than the nearby mountain and desert regions, such as Julian. Rainfall averages per year, falling mostly from November to March, with numerous microclimates and annual variation. Rainfall amounts can vary greatly from month to month, or from year to year. Average January temperatures range from the low 60s in the day to the low 40s at night. Average July temperatures range from upper 80s to the low 90s in the day to the low 60s at night. Highs of over in the summer and lows of…

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• House Finch

  Haemorhous mexicanus (P.L.Statius Müller, 1776) · Aves
  9,399
• Anna's Hummingbird

  Calypte anna (R.Lesson, 1829) · Aves
  8,525
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,237
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  7,807
• California Towhee

  Melozone crissalis (Vigors, 1839) · Aves
  7,553
• Lesser Goldfinch

  Spinus psaltria (Say, 1822) · Aves
  7,515
• California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

  Aphelocoma californica (Vigors, 1839) · Aves
  6,981
• Black Phoebe

  Sayornis nigricans (Swainson, 1827) · Aves
  6,375

Largest nearby schools

• Granite Hills High
  High · El Cajon · 2,398 students · 24.7:1 ratio
• El Capitan High
  High · Lakeside · 1,825 students · 22.8:1 ratio
• Tierra del Sol Middle
  Middle · Lakeside · 718 students · 21.1:1 ratio
• Lakeview Elementary
  Elementary · Lakeside · 657 students · 24.3:1 ratio
• Los Coches Creek Middle
  Middle · El Cajon · 538 students · 20.7:1 ratio
• Blossom Valley Elementary
  Elementary · El Cajon · 532 students · 22.2:1 ratio
• Lemon Crest Elementary
  Elementary · Lakeside · 496 students · 20.7:1 ratio
• Lindo Park Elementary
  Elementary · Lakeside · 444 students · 21.1:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 2.99 — 2026-05-28
  9 km WNW of Primo Tapia, B.C., MX
• M 3.02 — 2026-05-21
  24 km WSW of Westmorland, CA
• M 2.66 — 2026-05-18
  22 km ESE of Ocotillo Wells, CA
• M 2.63 — 2026-05-18
  22 km ESE of Ocotillo Wells, CA
• M 2.77 — 2026-05-18
  22 km ESE of Ocotillo Wells, CA
• M 3.14 — 2026-05-18
  22 km ESE of Ocotillo Wells, CA