Tehachapi Mountains
Tehachapi Mountains, segment of the Coast Ranges (see Pacific mountain system), south-central California, U.S. They extend for about 50 miles (80 km) and link the south end of the Sierra Nevada with the mountains along the coast. Elevations in the Tehachapi Mountains average about 8,000 feet (2,400 metres). Tehachapi Pass, at about 4,000 feet (1,200 metres), stands between the San Joaquin Valley (north) and the Mojave Desert (south) and is considered the boundary between central and southern California. Clay mining and agriculture, including fruit growing, are the main economic activities. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs along the mountains. The city of Tehachapi, located east-southeast of Bakersfield, is a mountain community with an ostrich ranch, wind farms, and botanical gardens.