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.

Location of the state of California in the United States of America

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

• List of California-related topics
• Lists of United States state insignia

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.