There are laws in California about Manzanita - it may be illegal to cut it, have the wood in your possession, etc. It may require a permit, even if it is on your own property.
I tried to figure out what is legal and what is not legal to be more helpful in this post, but what I found on the internet is contradictory and confusing. Some species are very rare, endangered, and highly protected. I found other references to hybrid varieties and planting manzanita as ground cover. Like so many things on the internet, I could not find a trusted, authoritative source for reliable information about the law. All I know is that there are laws surrounding the harvesting, use, and possession of manzanita.
Be sure you know the law before you start using manzanita, especially in California. I am sorry that I could not be more specific.