The Sierra Nevada Mountains are located in eastern California and are part of the Rocky Mountains. The range runs 400 miles north-to-south and is 70 miles wide. The mountains are home to Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Kings Canyon National Park. These parks are some of the most popular tourist destinations in California.The mountains were created by the tectonic plates moving and colliding over millions of years. The mountains are made up of granite, making them some of North America's oldest rocks. The granite is resistant to weathering, which is why the mountains have been able to stay tall for so long.