$923,675Average Value$638Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
California Heights has historic architecture and a strong community
California Heights, or Cal Heights as locals call it, is Long Beach's largest historic district, developed mainly in the early to mid-1900s. Tree-lined streets are home to Spanish Colonial Revival, Craftsman and Tudor Revival architecture, giving the neighborhood a charm that stands out from the postwar development common across much of Long Beach. It's a very walkable area, with shops and restaurants along Atlantic Avenue just steps from many homes, and there's an active neighborhood association that keeps the community tight-knit. But buying in a historic district means restrictions on renovations, and high prices reflect this neighborhood’s desirability.
What to know about owning a home in a historic district
Primarily developed from the 1920s to the 1950s, Cal Heights is known for its historic homes. You’ll see examples of Spanish Colonial Revival, Minimal Traditional, Craftsman and Tudor Revival architecture, all preserved to maintain their original look. According to Angie Rebennack, a Realtor with Keller Williams Pacific Estates who has sold several homes here, buyers should be aware they are buying in a historic district. “There are limitations on what you can do to the exterior of the homes,” she explains. “Which most people really like, because that sense of preservation is what drew them to the neighborhood.” Here are a few things to know when considering a home in California Heights:
Most exterior features cannot be altered, especially in the front of the home.
Some rear additions and accessory dwelling units may be permitted, but they must match the historic character of the home.
Historic materials must be used for maintenance, like replacing a broken wood window with another wood window.
If you buy a home where unpermitted work was done by the previous owners, you are required to fix it.
Neighborhood homes often showcase historic architecture and thoughtful landscaping.
A restored Spanish Colonial Revival home in California Heights.
1/2
The cost of homes in California Heights
California Heights is significantly more expensive than Signal Hill to the south. Still, it’s on par with Bixby Knolls, and lower priced than the massive historic homes in Los Cerritos. Single-family homes typically list between $800,000 and $1.3 million. Condos from the 1960s and 1970s can be found on the west side of the neighborhood, priced from the mid-$300,000s to the upper $500,000s. Homes tend to be in high demand. “We’re getting a lot of buyers from the west side of Los Angeles who are looking for a high quality of life in a walkable neighborhood,” says Alan Fasnacht of Team Fasnacht Realty, who grew up in the area. “That has made Cal Heights really quite desirable.”
Community events planned by a local neighborhood association
The California Heights Neighborhood Association focuses on preserving the community’s historic charm and character. In fact, one of the CHNA’s proudest projects was a 16-year campaign to restore the original lamppost tops to the streets of Cal Heights, which they successfully completed. They also plan neighborhood events, including an annual home tour and a block party. According to Fasnacht, the active association helps make this area desirable. “People want to buy these homes, and their value has been cemented by the efforts of the neighborhood association,” he says.
Highly walkable to shopping and dining
Depending on how close you are to the bustling Atlantic Avenue, California Heights has plenty of restaurants within walking distance. “It’s almost the same area as Bixby Knolls, but California Heights might be even more walkable,” Rebennack says. Head over to dining options like:
Jongewaard’s Bake n’ Broil, a local favorite since 1965 for hearty breakfasts, homemade pies and fresh baked goods
SteelCraft Long Beach, a trendy, open-air food hall built from shipping containers with rotating vendor options and craft beer
Nonna Mercato, an artisan bakery and cafe serving handmade pastries and seasonal French-Italian dishes
Phil Trani’s, an old-school Continental-style restaurant with live music on the weekends
Just north of the neighborhood, a section of Atlantic Avenue comes to life for Bixby Knolls First Fridays. These monthly events attract thousands for late-night shopping accompanied by art and music.
Steelhead Coffee is one of the vendors at SteelCraft.
Jongewaard's Bake 'n Broil has been an institution in the neighborhood since 1965.
1/2
Attend the highly rated Polytechnic High School
The neighborhood is part of the Long Beach Unified School District, which offers school choice. But the default options for the neighborhood — Birney Elementary School, Hughes Middle School and Polytechnic High School — are all highly rated. Locally referred to as Poly, the high school is one of the district's highest-rated options and is known for its roster of famous alumni, including Snoop Dogg, Billie Jean King and Cameron Diaz.
Local kids are zoned to attend Birney Elementary School.
Polytechnic High School's athletic fields in Long Beach.
1/2
Quick commutes and occasional plane noise from Long Beach Airport
Interstate 405 passes right by the neighborhood, connecting to Interstate 710 on the way into Los Angeles. The commute to Downtown LA can be about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. There’s also the Wardlow Metro A Line station just over a mile away. Plus, the Long Beach Airport is directly east of the neighborhood. While you might hear some highway or aircraft noise in Cal Heights, the airport's runway orientation means planes typically pass well north of the neighborhood during takeoff and landing. “For a lot of people, the noise doesn’t bother them,” Rebennack says.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the California Heights neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
California Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in California Heights, Long Beach sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in California Heights, Long Beach over the last 12 months is $1,095,000, up 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this charming and highly desirable first-floor condominium located in the private, gated Lindenwood community in Bixby Knolls. This beautifully maintained residence features a spacious layout with all bedrooms conveniently located on the main level. The bright and functional kitchen seamlessly flows into the main living areas, with all appliances thoughtfully included. Enjoy the ease
What an incredibly special property this 1925 California Bungalow is. Rarely do homes like this become available in the historic neighborhood of California Heights where meaningful updates seamlessly engage with treasured original features. An incredibly thought out front yard landscape leads you to one of the most charming porches on the street! Large original windows in the living and dining
A rare opportunity to own two newly constructed luxury homes on one lot in the Historic California Heights District, one of Long Beach's most desirable and architecturally significant neighborhoods. Thoughtfully designed to preserve the neighborhood's historic character while blending timeless architectural details with a clean, modern aesthetic, each residence offers complete privacy with its
Rare opportunity to own an income-producing duplex in the highly sought-after California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach. Whether you're expanding your investment portfolio or looking to live in one unit while generating income from the other, this property offers the flexibility and potential that today's buyers value.Filled with character and offering a variety of possibilities, this
Set in one of Long Beach’s most beloved neighborhoods, this beautifully refreshed 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo offers the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and community. Located just moments from Atlantic Avenue’s boutique shops, popular dining spots, and the vibrant First Fridays scene filled with live music and local flavor, this home places you right in the center of it all.Inside,
Welcome to 3533 Gundry Avenue, a beautifully upgraded 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offering a perfect blend of modern finishes, comfortable living and flexible spaces throughout. Step inside to a bright and inviting floor plan centered around a spacious open kitchen featuring warm-tone cabinetry, quartz countertops, all-new stainless steel appliances and a sleek range hood. The home also offers a
Welcome home to 3565 Linden Ave #141, a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo in Bixby Knolls offering 689 square feet of bright, open living. The kitchen, living room, and primary bedroom flow together in a layout that makes the space feel bigger than the square footage suggests, with natural light carrying through every room. In the kitchen, you'll find a stainless steel refrigerator, an updated
The Linden Plaza Apartments is a well maintained 93-unit community located in the Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach. Built in 1973, the community offers residents covered parking, swimming pool, storage, elevator, gym, putting green, and a barbecue and sitting area. The units are one-bedroom one-bathroom and two-bedroom and one-bathroom and range in size from 617 square feet up to 994 square feet.
Nestled within the highly desirable Historic California Heights neighborhood, this charming duplex combines spacious living, flexibility, and exceptional investment potential. This duplex offers a rare combination of versatility, comfortable living space, and investment potential. With two units residences, three garage spaces, individual laundry hookups, and generously sized interiors, the
Bay Towers at Bixby Knolls - Senior Apartments for Active Adults Ages 55 and up. Step into a world of refined living with spacious senior apartments that combine style and functionality. Each residence is designed with your unique needs in mind, featuring open floor plans, ample natural light, and thoughtful accessibility features. From cozy studios to one or two-bedroom layouts, the apartments
Property Id: 2787750 Spacious 1-Bedroom Apartment Available Now! Looking for your next home? Come see this beautiful and spacious 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment in a well-maintained community. Apartment Features: Spacious floor plan Bright living room with plenty of natural light Fully equipped kitchen Ample closet and storage space Air conditioning and
Property Id: 2801306 Welcome to 3633 Lime Avenue - Comfortable Long Beach Living in a Convenient Location Discover a wonderful opportunity to live in a desirable Long Beach neighborhood at 3633 Lime Avenue. This property offers the combination of comfort, convenience, and accessibility that makes it an excellent place to call home. Located in a well-established residential area,
COMING SOON!!!Large Private Upper Rear Apartment2-bedroom, 1 bath$2800/monthUtilities included in rentGarage available for $200/month or $100 if shared with studio tenant downstairsHardwood floors & carpetWindow coveringsFormal dining room with built-insBar top open to living roomCeiling fans in bedroomsLarge vintage kitchen with ceramic tile and
100% Application before tour. Available: Sep 5th Pet Allowed. Discover sophisticated living at the Lindenwood Building. Step inside and feel the day fade away in the spacious living room, featuring expansive glass doors opening to your private balcony. The well-appointed kitchen offers ample cabinets, granite counters, and includes a refrigerator and dishwasher. Relax in the large bedroom,
Welcome to this inviting 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment located in Long Beach. This unit offers a spacious and comfortable layout with plenty of natural light and dark wood-look laminate flooring throughout the main living areas and bedrooms.The kitchen features dark cabinetry, generous counter space, and stainless steel appliances, while the bathroom offers both a bathtub and a separate
This 3 bedroom 2.5 bath townhome in Bixby Knolls has a two car garage below the living area. The kitchen has granite countertops, a dishwasher, stove/oven, refrigerator and microwave and ALL appliances are included. There is A/C for the summertime heat and in the garage there is a washer/dryer for your use as well. The primary suite has an ensuite bathroom and there is another bathroom upstairs
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
