WHERE tends to depend on elevation more than anything, usually around 7,000 ft, but their range is between 6,000 and 8,500 ft.

All the pine seeds are edible, the difference being the size of the most useful ones (effort vs. amount of food value).

In central California, the common variety is Pinus Edulis, but I think they're mostly over on the east (dry) side of the Sierras and and a SE corner of SoCal, and around the Great Basin. The Pinyon should be fairly easy to spot if you're in their area, as they tend to grow in pure stands or mixed with juniper.

Sue