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Most of theofficially designated emblems of thestate of California are found in sections 420–429.8 of theCalifornia Codes.[1] The oldest symbol is theGreat Seal, designated in 1849. The most recently designated symbol is theGiant garter snake, designated in 2025.
| Type | Symbol | Year | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flag | TheBear Flag | 1911 | |
| Seal | TheGreat Seal of the State of California | 1849 | |
| Motto | "Eureka" | 1963 | |
| Nicknames | Golden State | 1968 | |
| Song | "I Love You, California" | 1989 |
| 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 GenusAriolimax | 2024[9][18] | |
| Snake | Giant garter snake Thamnophis gigas | 2025[19] |
| 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, andPecan | 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] | |
| Outdoorplay | 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] |