If you go outside for a moment and look around, you’ll likely see some mountains. There is a good reason for this: California is a highly mountainous state, and the Bay Area is a particularly hilly region. All across the state, you’ll find varied terrain, stunning landscapes, and much more. From the Cascades in the far northeastern corner of California to the Transverse Ranges, which run east to west in the south, these are some of the most notable ranges of the state, and what you should know about them.
The Cascades
The Cascades run from northeastern California through Oregon and Washington to British Columbia in Canada. Formed by pieces of crust that had collided with North America over 50 million years ago, this range is home to some of the most iconic peaks in the nation, including volcanoes such as Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. California’s portion of it is nothing short of spectacular, either, featuring two volcanoes: Mount Shasta towers at an elevation of 14,162 feet above the vast surrounding forests, and Lassen Peak is part of Lassen Volcanic National Park, in which all four major types of volcanoes (stratovolcano, cinder cone, shield volcano, and lava domes) in the world can be found. Both mountains are volcanoes themselves.
The area’s volcanic nature remains evident. On May 22, 1915, following a series of smaller eruptions, Lassen Peak erupted violently after 27,000 years of dormancy, and volcanic ash was detected as far as 300 miles away. Many Cascade volcanoes are considered high threats for eruptions in the near future, including Lassen Peak, which today is closely monitored for signs of volcanic activity.
The Klamath Mountains
The Klamath Mountains, located in far northern California and Oregon, are even more sparsely populated than the Cascades. These two mountain ranges were formed by similar mechanisms, and the connections between them are also apparent. This can be seen in the presence of basalt and sediments from Cascade lava flows.
The unique geology of the Klamath Mountains has led to a remarkable diversity of conifer tree species, with 30 of them found in these mountains. In one instance, 17 different conifer species were found in just one square mile of land. The diverse ecosystem contributes to the natural scenery of this extremely remote region. Most of the Klamath Mountains are completely uninhabited, with only isolated, small towns. The area also receives few visitors. Those who explore beyond the beaten path here will find a multitude of hidden gems.
The Sierra Nevada
John Muir often referred to the Sierra Nevada as the “Range of Light”, and it’s easy to see why. These mountains, running from the southern end of the Cascades to the Tehachapi Mountains north of Los Angeles, feature both an extensive history and some of the most incredible terrain anywhere in the world.
Around 3000 BCE, Native Americans settled in the area, remaining the sole inhabitants of the Sierra for thousands of years. In the 19th century, as more and more Americans began to settle in California, the Sierra became a major geographical feature of the California Trail. Not long after, gold was discovered in the Sierra foothills, sparking a gold rush that would bring over 300,000 people to the previously lightly populated area.
The western slope of the Sierra is fairly gradual, with foothills gently rising east of the Central Valley. From here, altitude steadily increases until the Sierra Crest, which includes Mount Whitney, which, at 14,505 feet, is the highest peak in the contiguous United States. On the eastern side of the crest, the mountains drop steeply into the deserts of Nevada.. The Sierra is home to countless iconic sights. Lake Tahoe, the largest lake by volume in the U.S. outside of the Great Lakes, is known for its exceptionally clear water. Yosemite National Park protects dramatic landscapes sculpted by glaciers millions of years ago. In the southern Sierra, most of the world’s only remaining natural groves of giant sequoia trees are part of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The Sierra Nevada is truly one of the most distinctive mountain ranges not only of California but of the entire continent of North America.
The Coast Ranges
The California Coast Ranges are a lengthy chain of mountains running along the entire Pacific coast of California. Its northern reaches overlap with the Klamath Range, but after this, the range quickly splits off to follow the coast south of Eureka. This section is known as the “Lost Coast” as it is almost completely undeveloped, lacking even road access to most places. Farther south, the Coast Ranges reach the San Francisco Bay Area. If you find mountains near you, you are most likely looking at a part of the Coast Ranges.
An interesting aspect of the Coast Ranges is its role in the formation of microclimates along the California coast: mountains prevent cool Pacific air from reaching inland, causing summer temperatures to vary widely over short distances. Additionally, the Coast Ranges block rain from winter storms, causing a “rain shadow” over much of inland California.
This part of the Coast Ranges tends to feature milder terrain, but this changes quickly south of the Bay Area, with rugged and desolate mountains in the region of Big Sur. Finally, the Coast Ranges reach Southern California, ending in Santa Barbara County.
The Transverse Ranges
From the southern end of the Coast Ranges begins a much taller chain of mountains that, unlike most ranges in California, runs east to west, a characteristic that gives it its name. The unusual orientation is due to a significant eastward shift in the San Andreas Fault. These mountains form the northern border of the Los Angeles Basin, and the ridges and peaks of the Transverse Ranges divide the Mediterranean climate of coastal Southern California from the deserts found to the east.
The Transverse Ranges are home to a staggering variety of landscapes. Most of its lower elevations close to the coast are covered by chaparral, an ecosystem characterized by brush and Mediterranean grasses. As elevation increases, pine forests become common. This region’s climate includes harsh winters and heavy snow, a remarkable contrast from what is usually associated with Southern California. On the inland-facing sides, the terrain becomes much drier, eventually reaching the desert. The Transverse Ranges are easily visible from Los Angeles, and dense forests and plentiful snow can be found just 100 miles from palm-lined beaches.
The Peninsular Ranges
The southernmost range covered here, the Peninsular Ranges, starts in the north very close to the Transverse Ranges. In fact, the San Jacinto Mountains of the former are adjacent to the San Bernardino Mountains of the latter, forming the San Gorgonio Pass, which is surrounded by tall peaks on both sides. The Peninsular Ranges then split towards the more common northwest-southeast orientation, marking the eastern boundary of the Inland Empire urban region of Southern California. Finally, the mountains pass east of San Diego before continuing south into Mexico down the entirety of the Baja California Peninsula.
California has no shortage of mountains, and each range has distinct characteristics. Depending on the part of the state, you could find barren deserts, snowy peaks, temperate rainforest, and everything in between. Thanks to this guide, the next time you venture out into the states’ mountains, you’ll know all about where you’re going.