Most of the officially designated emblems of the state of California are found in sections 420–429.8 of the California Codes.California Government Code, §§ 420-429.8 The oldest symbol is the Great Seal, designated in 1849. The most recently designated symbol is the Giant garter snake, designated in 2025.
Insignia
Type Symbol Year ImageFlagThe Bear Flag1911SealThe Great Seal of the State of California1849Motto"Eureka"1963NicknamesGolden State1968Song"I Love You, California"1989
Animals Type Symbol Year ImageAmphibianCalifornia red-legged frogRana draytonii2014AnimalCalifornia grizzly bearUrsus arctos californicus1958BatPallid bat Antrozous pallidus2024BirdCalifornia quailCallipepla californica1931CrustaceanDungeness crabMetacarcinus magister2024DinosaurAugustynolophus2017Freshwater fishGolden troutOncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita1947InsectCalifornia dogface butterflyColias eurydice1972Marine fishGaribaldiHypsypops rubicundus2002Marine mammalGray whaleEschrichtius robustus1975Marine reptileLeatherback sea turtleDermochelys coriacea2012ReptileDesert tortoise Gopherus agassizi2012SlugBanana slug Genus Ariolimax2024SnakeGiant garter snake Thamnophis gigas2025
Plants Type Symbol Year ImageFlowerGolden poppyEschscholzia californica1903FruitAvocadoPersea americana2013In a proclamation as acting governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared the avocado State fruit. It is not in the legislature.GrassPurple needlegrassStipa pulchra (formerly Nassella pulchra)2004LichenLace lichenRamalina menziesii2015MushroomCalifornia Golden Chanterelle Cantharellus californicus2023NutsAlmond, Walnut, Pistachio, and Pecan2017ShrubBigberry manzanita Arctostaphylos glauca2025TreesCalifornia RedwoodSequoia sempervirens & Sequoiadendron giganteum1953VegetableArtichokeCynara cardunculus var. scolymus2013In a proclamation as acting governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared the cauliflower State vegetable. It is not in the legislature.
Geology Type Symbol Year ImageFossilSaber-toothed catSmilodon californicus2017GemstoneBenitoite1985MineralGold1965RockSerpentine1965SeashellBlack abalone Haliotis cracherodii2024SoilSan Joaquin1997
Culture and history Type Symbol Year ImageColorsBlue and gold2017DanceWest Coast Swing1988FabricDenim2016Fife and drum bandCalifornia Consolidated Drum Band1997Folk danceSquare dance1988Gold rush ghost townBodie2002Historical societyCalifornia Historical Society1979LGBTQ Veterans MemorialLGBTQ Veterans Memorial at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City2018Military museumCalifornia State Military Museum2004Outdoor playThe Ramona Pageant1993Prehistoric artifactChipped Stone Bear1991Silver rush ghost townCalico2005SportSurfing2018Tall shipCalifornian2003TartanCalifornia state tartan2001TheaterPasadena Playhouse1937Vietnam veterans memorialCalifornia Vietnam Veterans Memorial2014
See also List of California-related topics Lists of United States state insignia
Notes
References
External links California State Symbols California Code