Manzanitas are very, very slow growers. The Dr Hurd shown here is 30 years old and about 15 ft tall. Manzanitas are great in So Cal as long as it has goo drainage, prferably on a slope, and after it's established it isn't watered during the dry season. It can take 3-4 years to establish.

To answer your question, yes they are native mainly in the mtns and high desert slopes. They are stunning when healthy, with their contrasting blue-green foliage and dark brick-red bark. Probably wouldn't do well in a lawn, with regular watering, though.