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Welcome To California Heights
California Heights was part of the Bixby Ranch and was used primarily as grazing land until the early 1920’s. It was the discovery of oil on nearby Signal Hill and the ensuing land boom in 1921 that caused the Bixby Company to subdivide and sell off lots in the California Heights tract.
The neighborhood, situated four miles north of Downtown Long Beach, is primarily residential in character. It is among the most significant Long Beach CA historical homes regions. Approved by the City in February 1990 and expanded in 2000, California Heights is the City’s largest historic district and consists of approximately 1500 properties, predominantly Spanish Colonial Revival homes constructed in the late 1920s and early 1930s due to the increased housing demand.
Construction was done on a parcel-by-parcel basis so that each home was custom built. The builders developed a uniform feel by keeping the lots and homes the same size and proportions. A scattering of other styles – Craftsman Bungalows and Tudor Revival – may be found, including some homes relocated to California Heights to save them from demolition due to airport expansion and oil drilling. Neo-traditional homes built in the late 30’s an early 40’s are also included. Large mature street trees and vintage street lights enhance the neighborhood ambience.
The annual Home & Garden Tour, held in October, provides the Historic District an opportunity to showcase the architectural beauty of its historic homes and the yesteryear charm of the neighborhood. California Heights is served by the many neighborhood retail and commercial uses found nearby, including Trader Joes’s, Starbucks, and Jamba Juice. California Heights provides a safe and attractive environment in which to live, work and play. |