In modern times, this area was originally part of the 27,000 acre Spanish land grant to the 18th century Mexican soldier Manuel Nieto. The "knolls" are the "little hills" of Los Cerritos ranch land where the old rancho adobe, often involved in early historical events, is restored and open to the public today. 20th century excavations revealed ancient Indian artifacts. Its fascinating history includes many famous Southern California names: the Gabrielino Indians, the Bixbys, their cousins the Flints, John Temple or Don Juan Temple, Judge O'Melveny, Issiah Hellman, Don Manuel Dominguez, Abel Stearns, Pio Pico, the Verdugos, Colonel Hollister, the Mexican-American war and the Californios, cattle, sheep, the Cotas of Santa Barbara, and the evolution of six ranchos carved out of the Los Cerritos Rancho. Out of this ranchland grew six present-day municipalities, and the early area of Willmore City, now part of downtown Long Beach. After 1916, the last 3500 acres of the ranch were eventually subdivided into Bixby Knolls, California Heights, North Long Beach, and part of Signal Hill.

Early California Heights houses were Spanish style bungalows, Tudor Revival and California Bungalow styles. Oil discovery on neighboring Signal Hill spurred interest in early lot purchases. Today, this area is a historic district still typified by many of the 1920's Spanish style bungalows and tree-lined streets.

Close freeway access, the Long Beach Airport and convenient shops and businesses along Atlantic Ave., these residential areas are favored by young families whose children are within short driving or walking distance to elementary and middle schools.  

The architecture varies from one tract to another: Bixby Knolls and Virginia Country Club larger homes have been favored by well-known area architects beginning in the 1930's and later, including Hugh Davies, Kenneth Wing, Paul Tay, and Edward Killingsworth. There are many "mid-century" style homes, along with larger two-story Spanish, Tudor, Southern Colonial, and Craftsman.