Is there an easy way to download the assets directory to a local install? I'm trying to speed up the process of synchronizing my production site down to my local install. Currently, it is: Back up database, wipe local database, import database backup. It's not perfect, but it is pretty fast.

But synchronizing the assets down is still a pain. Is there a process or plugin that makes it easy/easier to synchronize assets (uploaded photos, etc.) between installs?
I use rsync with grunt. There is a grunt rsync task, which is just a wrapper for raw rsync. If all I used grunt for was the rsync I don't think it would be worth it, but I use it to compile my sass, and to reload my browser (grunt-contrib-sass, grunt-contrib-watch) among other things.