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altitude.elevation

Mountains Desert

Elevation = Vegetation

The varied terrain of California suprises many newcomers as to how different one part of the state looks to another. Below is a general overview on elevation pertaining to most California landscapes. Western mountain slopes are greener & get more moisture from the west, plus the first rains of a storm. The lower altitude coastal foothill mountains can get a lot of moisture. The Eastern slopes are drier and face the desert. Desert Mountain regions are quite different. Most dry ranges are in the "rain-shadow" of the taller Sierra Nevada mountain range and get very little moisture.

10' - 2000' elevation

coastline areas cities / suburbs - population centers in California rolling foothills of seashore central valley agricultural areas / farms dry chaparral tall redwoods trees - Northern California wildflowers in spring, oak hills north central valley - more vegetation	coastal country city

2000' - 4000' elevation

foothills of mountains inland areas few suburbs rolling hills countryside some reservoirs farming & livestock horse stables dry chaparral manzanita oak trees some pine trees wildflowers in spring creek side areas: alder birch ash	Kernville Kern River Julian Descanso Tecate Springville Eastern Sierra Historic Gold Country Ranch Cuyamaca Cleveland National Forest Inyo National Forest

4000' - 6000' elevation

considered elevations mountains to most city folks usual snow level for winter storms man made reservoirs & some natural lakes pine trees cedar pines Jeffrey pines sequoias oak trees wildflowers in spring & summer	Sequoia National Forest Cleveland National Forest Inyo National Forest El Dorado National Forest Los Padres National Forest Eastern Sierra Pine Mountain Club Frazier Park Monache Meadows Camp Nelson Alta Sierra

6000' - 9000' elevation

considered high-mountains, sub-alpine decent snow during winter months lakes & reservoirs pine trees cedar pines jeffrey pines sequoias oak trees wildflowers in summer	Huntington Lake Lakeshore Shaver Lake Eastern Sierra Wishon Reservoir Courtright Reservoir El Dorado National Forest Sierra National Forest Los Padres National Forest

9000' - 10,000' elevation

mountain meadows, sub-alpine snow during many months streams & waterfalls lakes pine trees cedar pines wildflowers in summer little ground vegetation	Coyote Flats Eastern Sierra

 

10,000' - 14,000' elevation

considered - alpine level snow & ice during most months alpine lakes pine trees cedar pines bristlecone pines very little ground vegetation