Descanso is an unincorporated community in the Cuyamaca Mountains of southeastern San Diego County, California, within the region known as the Mountain Empire. Its name is Spanish for "rest" or "rest from labor," a fitting description of the quiet, forested settlement it became. The community developed along early stage and road routes through the Cuyamaca and Laguna mountains, becoming a rest stop and, later, a gateway to the surrounding public lands. The community sits at a high elevation among pines and oaks, surrounded by the Cleveland National Forest, whose Descanso Ranger District takes its name from the community and stretches from near the Mexican border north toward Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Descanso lies along State Route 79, east of the town of Alpine and roughly 40 miles east of downtown San Diego. Much of the surrounding landscape is forest and open space, which keeps the community's rural character intact. The 2020 census recorded a population of 1,499, up from 1,423 in 2010, reflecting steady interest in the community's rural, mountain character. Descanso is served by the Mountain Empire Unified School District, with Descanso Elementary School located in the community. Life in Descanso revolves around the outdoors. The Cleveland National Forest, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, and Lake Cuyamaca lie nearby, offering hiking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding across the high country. The community itself remains small and low-density, with homes scattered across wooded parcels. For residents, Descanso offers a true mountain lifestyle within reach of San Diego's amenities. The drive west on Interstate 8 and State Route 79 brings the city within commuting distance for some, but the community's character is distinctly rural — a restful, forested corner of San Diego County's backcountry.