Alpine is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Cuyamaca Mountains of San Diego County, California.

The town is largely surrounded by Cleveland National Forest and borders two reservations of the Kumeyaay, Viejas and Sycuan tribes, and the rural unincorporated areas around the city of El Cajon.

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.

[3] 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.

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 30 miles (48 km) east of downtown San Diego, at an elevation of about 2,000 feet (610 m).

According to the United States Geological Survey, it is at 32°50′6″N 116°45′59″W / 32.83500°N 116.76639°W / 32.83500; -116.76639 (32.8350521, -116.7664109),[4] which is near the intersection of Alpine Boulevard and Tavern Road.

[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, it is at 32°50′4″N 116°46′14″W / 32.83444°N 116.77056°W / 32.83444; -116.77056 (32.834563, -116.770615),[6] which is approximately 1,200 feet (370 m) west of the USGS location.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 26.8 square miles (69 km2), 99.99% land and 0.01% water.

Rainfall averages 16.05 inches (408 mm) per year, falling mostly from November to March, with numerous microclimates and annual variation.

Highs of over 105 °F (41 °C) in the summer and lows of under 35 °F (2 °C) in the winter are occasional, particularly in the northern section of Alpine, on the slopes of Viejas Mountain.

Snowfall is very rare within the town of Alpine, with trace amounts falling once out of every two to three winters.