California – Nevada
The name Nevada originates from a Spanish word meaning “snow-covered”.
Nevada is located in the desert just east of California.
California state has many places with Nevada in the name:
Sierra Nevada Mountains – the backbone of the state, alpine mountains running vertically through CA
Nevada County inside California
Death Valley National Park borders the state of Nevada
The Mojave desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojave_Desert
Mojave National Preserve between Interstate 40 & Interstate 15 is on the way to Nevada.
The Eastern Sierra mountain range faces the east toward Nevada.
Inyo National Forest are the maps you will need to explore this area.
Lake Tahoe sits right on the border of California & Nevada
Topaz Lake, along Hwy 395, also is halfway inside of NV
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the oldest trees in the whole wide world, are adjacent to Nevada & part of the circle that encompasses the Great Basin
Toiyabe National Forest is located both in CA & NV
The ghost town Bodie has back roads that lead over to Nevada