California Heights, Long Beach, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
California Heights
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 California Heights
Location in Long Beach, California
California Heights
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
California Heights
Location in southern California
California Heights
Location in California
California Heights
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| City |  Long Beach |
| ZIP Code |
90807
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California Heights is a historic neighborhood in Long Beach, California. It's known for its unique homes and interesting past.
Where is California Heights?
California Heights is located in Long Beach, California. It is north of Signal Hill. To its east is Long Beach Airport. To the west, you'll find Los Cerritos. North of California Heights are North Long Beach and Bixby Knolls. You can find shops and restaurants along Atlantic Avenue, which goes right through the neighborhood.
History of California Heights
Before the 1920s, California Heights was mostly open land. It was part of the Bixby Ranch, which is now Rancho Los Cerritos. This land was mainly used for animals to graze.
In 1921, oil was discovered nearby on Signal Hill. This led to a big land boom, meaning land became very valuable. Because of this, the Jotham Bixby Company decided to divide the California Heights area into smaller lots. They then started selling these lots for people to build homes.
By 1927, the California Heights area, including a part called Chateau Thierry, was growing fast. People living there asked the City of Long Beach for better streets. They wanted paved roads, sidewalks, curbs, and streetlights. Between 1925 and 1927, about 250 families moved into the neighborhood. By 1939, most of the homes in California Heights were already built.
What are the Homes Like?
California Heights is a special place because it's a historic district. This means it has been officially recognized for its important history and architecture since 1990.
There are about 1,500 homes in this district. If someone wants to change a house in the historic district, they need special permission. This permission is called a "Certificate of Appropriateness." It helps make sure that any changes fit with the historic look of the neighborhood.
Many homes in California Heights are built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. This style often features stucco walls, red tile roofs, and decorative ironwork. You can also find other styles like Craftsman bungalows and Tudor Revival homes.
