List of California state symbols

Most of the officially designated emblems of the state of California are found in sections 420–429.8 of the California Codes.[1] The oldest symbol is the Great Seal, designated in 1849. The most recently designated symbol is the Giant garter snake, designated in 2025.

Insignia

Further information: List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia
Type Symbol Year Image
Flag The Bear Flag 1911
Seal The Great Seal of the State of California 1849
Motto "Eureka" 1963
Nicknames Golden State 1968
Song "I Love You, California" 1989

Animals

Type Symbol Year Image
Amphibian California red-legged frog
Rana draytonii 		2014[2][3]
Animal California grizzly bear
Ursus arctos californicus 		1958[4]
Bat Pallid bat

Antrozous pallidus

2024[5][6]
Bird California quail
Callipepla californica 		1931[7][8]
Crustacean Dungeness crab
Metacarcinus magister 		2024[9][10]
Dinosaur Augustynolophus 2017[11]
Freshwater fish Golden trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita 		1947[12]
Insect California dogface butterfly
Colias eurydice 		1972[13]
Marine fish Garibaldi
Hypsypops rubicundus 		2002[14]
Marine mammal Gray whale
Eschrichtius robustus 		1975[15]
Marine reptile Leatherback sea turtle
Dermochelys coriacea 		2012[16]
Reptile Desert tortoise
Gopherus agassizi 		2012[17]
Slug Banana slug

Genus Ariolimax

2024[9][18]
Snake Giant garter snake

Thamnophis gigas

2025[19]

Plants

Type Symbol Year Image
Flower Golden poppy
Eschscholzia californica 		1903[20]
Fruit Avocado
Persea americana 		2013[21][notes 1]
Grass Purple needlegrass
Stipa pulchra (formerly Nassella pulchra) 		2004[22]
Lichen Lace lichen
Ramalina menziesii 		2015[23]
Mushroom California Golden Chanterelle

Cantharellus californicus

2023[24][25]
Nuts Almond, Walnut, Pistachio, and Pecan 2017[26]
Shrub Bigberry manzanita

Arctostaphylos glauca

2025[19]
Trees California Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens & Sequoiadendron giganteum 		1953[27]
Vegetable Artichoke
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus 		2013[21][notes 2]

Geology

Type Symbol Year Image
Fossil Saber-toothed cat
Smilodon californicus 		2017[28]
Gemstone Benitoite 1985[29]
Mineral Gold 1965[30]
Rock Serpentine 1965[31]
Seashell Black abalone

Haliotis cracherodii

2024[32]
Soil San Joaquin 1997[33]

Culture and history

Type Symbol Year Image
Colors Blue and gold 2017[34]
Dance West Coast Swing 1988[35]
Fabric Denim 2016[36][37]
Fife and drum band California Consolidated Drum Band 1997[38]
Folk dance Square dance 1988[39]
Gold rush ghost town Bodie 2002[40]
Historical society California Historical Society 1979[41]
LGBTQ Veterans Memorial LGBTQ Veterans Memorial at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City 2018[42]
Military museum California State Military Museum 2004[43]
Outdoor play The Ramona Pageant 1993[44]
Prehistoric artifact Chipped Stone Bear 1991[45][46]
Silver rush ghost town Calico 2005[47]
Sport Surfing 2018[48]
Tall ship Californian 2003[49]
Tartan California state tartan 2001[50]
Theater Pasadena Playhouse 1937[51]
Vietnam veterans memorial California Vietnam Veterans Memorial 2014[52][53]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ In a proclamation as acting governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared the avocado State fruit. It is not in the legislature.
  2. ^ In a proclamation as acting governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared the cauliflower State vegetable. It is not in the legislature.

References

  1. ^ California Government Code, §§ 420-429.8
  2. ^ "Gov. Brown signs bills legalizing Bitcoins use, other legislation". Los Angeles Times. June 28, 2014.
  3. ^ "California Code, GOV 422.7". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  4. ^ "California Code, GOV 425". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  5. ^ "California SB732 | TrackBill". trackbill.com. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  6. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.12". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  7. ^ "Iconic California: State Symbols that Represent California". California State Capitol Museum. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  8. ^ "California Code, GOV 423". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  9. ^ a b "Claws for celebration: Governor Newsom signs legislation establishing state crustacean, slug, and seashell". Governor of California News. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  10. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.15". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  11. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.7". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  12. ^ "California Golden Trout". California Trout. 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  13. ^ "California Code, GOV 424.5". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  14. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.6". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  15. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.5". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  16. ^ "California Code, GOV 422.5". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  17. ^ "California Code, GOV 422.5". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  18. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.13". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  19. ^ a b "A hiss-torical day: Governor Newsom signs bills establishing state snake, state shrub". Governor of California. 2025-10-10. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  20. ^ "California Code, GOV 421". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  21. ^ a b "California State Foods Named By Gavin Newsom". Huffington Post. April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  22. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.10". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  23. ^ "California Code, GOV 424.6". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  24. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.11". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  25. ^ Stierch, Sarah (January 11, 2024). "Mendocino Flavors: California's new state mushroom, Good Food Award finalists, and more food and drink tidbits". The Mendocino Voice. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  26. ^ "California Code, GOV 422.3". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  27. ^ "California Code, GOV 422". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  28. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.7". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  29. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.3". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  30. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.1". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  31. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.2". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  32. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.14". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  33. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.9". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  34. ^ "California Code, GOV 424". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  35. ^ "California Code, GOV 421.5". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  36. ^ "Stuff jeans are made of honored by California Legislature". Sacramento Bee. September 1, 2016.
  37. ^ "California Code, GOV 423.6". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  38. ^ admin (2021-10-20). "Fife and Drum Band - California Consolidated Drum Band". California State Capitol Museum. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  39. ^ "California Code, GOV 421.5". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  40. ^ "California Code, GOV 429.7". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  41. ^ "California Code, GOV 429.5". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  42. ^ "California Code, GOV 429.4". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  43. ^ "California Code, GOV 429.6". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  44. ^ "California Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5". legainfo.ca.gov. 1993.
  45. ^ "California State Prehistoric Artifact: Chipped Stone Bear". parks.ca.gov/.
  46. ^ "California Code, GOV 425.8". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  47. ^ "California Code, GOV 429.8". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  48. ^ "California Code, GOV 424.7". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  49. ^ "California Code, GOV 423.5". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  50. ^ "California Code, GOV 424.3". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  51. ^ admin (2021-10-19). "Theater - Pasadena Playhouse". California State Capitol Museum. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  52. ^ "Vietnam War Memorial". California State Capitol Museum. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  53. ^ "The California Vietnam Veterans Memorial". Vietnam Veteran.
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