Alpine

Alpine delivers on its name: The semiarid mountaintops create a breathtaking skyline that gives the Southern California city its rural character. Once a stagecoach stop, Alpine has come a long way since its humble, late-1800s beginnings. Today, nearly 15,000 people call this foothill city home. Sandwiched between San Diego and the Cuyamaca Mountains, there's big-city fun to the east and a vast wilderness to the west. Beneath the mountains are suburbs with rustic flair. In between more than 100 square miles of mountains, forests and deserts lies the Viejas reservation, as well as its five smaller settlements. Single-family houses are most common in Alpine and come in a wide assortment of styles and sizes. Alpine Oaks is a cozy mobile home community with beautiful mountain views. Ponway Royal Estates is a residential community of small houses with tennis courts, a pool and a panoramic mountain skyline. Downtown you’ll find variety ranging from bungalows to single-level homes. Midsize homes can be found at Crown Hills. These Tuscan-style houses come with a community pool, exercise room and tennis courts. In rural areas, you’ll see ranches on big plots of land. For multilevel luxury homes, check out Rancho Palo Verde, an exclusive and gated community featuring lakes and equestrian riding rings. Residents are drawn to the Alpine Union School District for its high-quality education. Serving more than 1,500 kids across five campuses, its services include an American Indian Education Program. Alpine is a gateway city. Less than 30 miles from San Diego, workers enjoy a short commute. Interstate 8 runs through the middle of the city, making for quick and easy getaway access. Driving west will take you to the California coast, and driving east will land you in lush wilderness.

For bowling, ice skating and shopping all in one place, check out the Viejas Outlet Center. For nightlife and a chance to win big, head to the neighboring Viejas Casino. Tap into local culture and cuisine with a drive down Alpine Boulevard. Find locally curated gifts, clothes and décor at KC’s Closet, Alpine Garden and Gifts, and Chic Boutique. Alpine Boulevard also hosts a smorgasbord of eats. Relax at the Alpine Tavern and Grill or the Casino Inn Bar and Grill. Grab acclaimed Chinese food at Panda Machi or snag some authentic Mexican food at the Alpine Taco Shop. Locals rave about the menu and Western vibes at Janet’s Montana Café. For recreation, the Alpine Community Center features a tennis court, ball field and playground. Boulder Oaks Neighborhood Park is a kid-friendly area with a large playground and an open field. The new Alpine County Park will stretch nearly 24 acres and include a multiuse trail, dog park, equestrian staging area, “all-wheel” park, pickleball and a community garden. More than 70 additional acres will be an open-space reserve. The park is scheduled to be completed in 2025. To discover Alpine’s rich history, take a detour down Tavern Road. The Nichols' House, Beatty House, Alpine Schoolhouse and John DeWitt Historic Museum will take visitors back to the town's pioneer era.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is Alpine’s leading attraction. Hike or bike more than 100 miles of trails that cross meadows and creeks. Shallow pools and family camps offer a fun place to cool off in the summer. Wright’s Field nature reserve has more than 200 acres of dog-friendly fields to roam and explore. Spend a day on the lake at Alpine Fishery or learn to fly birds of prey at Sky Falconry. For the best views of Alpine, hike to the top of Viejas Mountain Trailhead for a 360-degree glimpse of the city. An animal lover’s paradise is just beyond the town’s borders: Lions, Tigers and Bears is a big cat and bear sanctuary spanning more than 90 acres. While the sanctuary follows a no-contact policy, supervised feeding experiences with the animals and a trained keeper are available.

Written By

Tina Davis

Photography Contributed By

Joerg Boetel

Video By

Michael Voyack