Tecate is an unincorporated community in the Mountain Empire area of central southeastern San Diego County, California. It is adjacent to (directly north of) the Mexico–United States border and the Mexican city of Tecate in Baja California; it is affectionately nicknamed Tecatito (or "Little Tecate") on account of its smaller size compared with the Mexican city. The community is best-known for the Tecate Port of Entry and nearby Tecate Peak. This area of San Diego County is somewhat desolate and rugged, located roughly an hour’s drive from downtown San Diego.