If you are searching for CA state symbols, you may already know about the California poppy, grizzly bear, and famous Bear Flag. But California has far more official symbols than these familiar emblems. The state has designated symbols representing its wildlife, plants, minerals, history, culture, food and agriculture, music, sports, landmarks, and even a prehistoric artifact.
I find California’s state symbols fascinating because each one tells a small part of the state’s story. When you explore them, you can see the connection between California’s Gold Rush past, Pacific coastline, forests, deserts, agriculture, entertainment industry, and diverse communities. Whether you are researching for school, creating a California project, or simply want to learn what each emblem means, this guide gives you a complete and easy-to-follow overview.
What Are CA State Symbols?
CA state symbols are official emblems and designations that represent California and different parts of its history, environment, culture, and identity.
The California Secretary of State’s 2026 roster includes a wide range of state emblems, from the California grizzly bear and golden poppy to the official state mushroom, soil, nuts, dinosaur, tall ship, theater, and newer symbols such as the bigberry manzanita and giant garter snake.
Some symbols are extremely famous, while others may surprise you. For example, California’s official state pet is a shelter pet, its state fabric is denim, and its official prehistoric artifact is a Chipped Stone Bear.
California State Symbols At A Glance
Here is a quick reference list so you can find the symbol you need without searching through the entire article.
| California Symbol | Official Designation |
| State Animal | California Grizzly Bear |
| State Amphibian | California Red-Legged Frog |
| State Bat | Pallid Bat |
| State Bird | California Quail |
| State Colors | Blue and Gold |
| State Dance | West Coast Swing |
| State Folk Dance | Square Dance |
| State Dinosaur | Augustynolophus morrisi |
| State Fabric | Denim |
| State Fish | California Golden Trout |
| State Freshwater Fish | California Golden Trout |
| State Flag | Bear Flag |
| State Flower | Golden Poppy |
| State Fossil | Saber-Toothed Tiger |
| State Gemstone | Benitoite |
| State Gold Rush Ghost Town | Bodie |
| State Grass | Purple Needlegrass |
| State Insect | California Dogface Butterfly |
| State Lichen | Lace Lichen |
| State Marine Fish | Garibaldi |
| State Marine Mammal | California Gray Whale |
| State Marine Reptile | Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle |
| State Military Museum | California State Military Museum and Resource Center |
| State Mineral | Native Gold |
| State Motto | Eureka |
| State Mushroom | California Golden Chanterelle |
| State Nickname | The Golden State |
| State Nuts | Almond, Walnut, Pistachio, and Pecan |
| State Outdoor Play | Ramona Pageant |
| State Pet | A Shelter Pet |
| State Prehistoric Artifact | Chipped Stone Bear |
| State Quarter | California Quarter |
| State Reptile | Desert Tortoise |
| State Rock | Serpentine |
| State Seal | Great Seal of California |
| State Silver Rush Ghost Town | Calico |
| State Soil | San Joaquin Soil |
| State Song | I Love You, California |
| State Sport | Surfing |
| State Tall Ship | The Californian |
| State Shrub | Bigberry Manzanita |
| State Snake | Giant Garter Snake |
| State Tartan | California State Tartan |
| State Theater | Pasadena Playhouse |
| State Tree | California Redwood |
| State Fife and Drum Corps | California Consolidated Drum Band |
| State Historical Society | California Historical Society |
| State Holiday | California Poppy Day |
| State Vietnam Veterans Memorial | California Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
| State LGBTQ Veterans Memorial | California LGBTQ Veterans Memorial |
The California Secretary of State’s official 2026 State Symbols & Emblems roster provides the current list and descriptions.
California’s Most Famous State Symbols
Some California symbols are so recognizable that you can identify the state almost immediately from them.
California State Flag
The California State Flag, commonly called the Bear Flag, is one of the state’s most recognizable symbols.
The original Bear Flag was raised in Sonoma on June 14, 1846, during the uprising known as the Bear Flag Revolt. Although the short-lived California Republic did not last, the flag became an enduring symbol of California and was officially adopted as the state flag in 1911.
The flag features a California grizzly bear, a red star, a red stripe, and the words California Republic.
When you see the bear on the flag, you are looking at one of the strongest visual representations of California’s historical identity.
California State Animal
The California grizzly bear is the official state animal.
The grizzly is now extinct in California, but it remains an important historical symbol. It appears on both the California State Flag and the Great Seal.
The California grizzly became the official state animal in 1953. The last known California grizzly was killed in Tulare County in 1922.
For me, this is one of the most interesting California symbols because the state continues to honor an animal that is no longer found there.
California State Flower
The California golden poppy is the official state flower.
The golden poppy became California’s state flower in 1903. Its bright golden-orange color is closely connected with the state’s nickname, The Golden State.
The flower grows naturally throughout California, and April 6 is officially recognized as California Poppy Day. The state encourages schools and educational institutions to use the day to teach about native plants and conservation.
California State Bird
The California quail, also known as the valley quail, is the official state bird.
It became the state bird in 1931. You can recognize it by its rounded body, distinctive dark plume, and markings around its face.
The California Secretary of State describes the bird as hardy and adaptable, qualities that make it a fitting representation of California’s wildlife.
California State Tree
The California redwood is the official state tree.
The designation dates to 1937. California’s redwood group includes the coast redwood and giant sequoia, both famous for their extraordinary size and age.
Coast redwoods include the tallest trees in the world, while giant sequoias are among the most massive trees on Earth.
If you ever walk through a California redwood forest, you can immediately understand why this tree became such an important state symbol.
California State Motto, Nickname, Colors, and Seal
California State Motto
California’s official state motto is “Eureka.”
The word comes from Greek and means “I have found it.” It is associated with discovery and California’s Gold Rush history.
“Eureka” became the official state motto in 1963 and appears on the Great Seal.
California State Nickname
California’s official nickname is “The Golden State.”
The nickname is strongly associated with the discovery of gold in 1848 and the development that followed the Gold Rush. The state’s golden poppies also reinforce the connection.
The nickname officially became California’s state nickname in 1968.
California State Colors
California’s official colors are blue and gold.
The Secretary of State identifies them as Yale Blue and Golden Yellow.
The colors are especially appropriate for a state known for its blue skies, Pacific coastline, golden landscapes, gold-mining history, and golden poppies.
California State Seal
The Great Seal of the State of California is another major state emblem.
Its design was adopted at California’s Constitutional Convention. The seal features Minerva, a California grizzly bear, a gold miner, ships, mountains, agricultural imagery, and 31 stars.
The 31 stars represent the number of states in the Union when California entered the United States in 1850.
The seal brings together many themes that define California: nature, agriculture, mining, commerce, and statehood.
California State Wildlife Symbols
California’s official wildlife symbols demonstrate just how diverse the state is, from mountain streams and Central Valley wetlands to deserts and the Pacific Ocean.
California State Amphibian
The California red-legged frog is the official state amphibian.
It is the largest native frog in the western United States and is found primarily in California.
The species is also associated with Mark Twain’s famous story about the jumping frog of Calaveras County.
California State Bat
The pallid bat is California’s official state bat.
Its scientific name is Antrozous pallidus. The species is particularly valuable because bats consume insects and can provide natural pest control for agricultural areas.
California State Reptile
The desert tortoise is California’s official state reptile.
It is adapted to the state’s desert environment and can live for a very long time. The species digs deep burrows that can provide shelter for other animals as well.
The desert tortoise has been California’s official state reptile since 1972 and is protected as an endangered species.
California State Snake
The giant garter snake is California’s official state snake.
It was formally added to California’s official symbols in 2025 through Senate Bill 765. The species is endemic to California and occurs in the Central Valley.
Its population has declined dramatically, making its designation particularly meaningful from a conservation perspective.
California State Insect
The California dogface butterfly is the official state insect.
It became the state insect in 1972 and is notable because it is not naturally found outside California.
Its colorful wings include bluish-black, orange, and yellow tones.
California State Marine Fish
The garibaldi is California’s official state marine fish.
This bright orange fish is associated with the rocky coastal waters of the Pacific. California officially recognized it as the state marine fish in 1995.
California State Marine Mammal
The California gray whale is the official state marine mammal.
It became the state marine mammal in 1975. Gray whales are famous for their long migrations along the Pacific coast.
The designation highlights how important the Pacific Ocean is to California’s natural identity.
California State Marine Reptile
The Pacific leatherback sea turtle is California’s official state marine reptile.
The leatherback is the largest and deepest-diving of all sea turtles. Unlike hard-shelled sea turtles, its shell is covered by a flexible, rubbery layer of skin.
California State Plants and Fungi
California’s plant symbols represent forests, grasslands, shrubs, air quality, and the state’s rich fungal ecosystems.
California State Grass
The official state grass is purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra).
It was designated the state grass in 2004. It is a widespread native perennial bunchgrass and represents California’s natural heritage and ecological diversity.
California State Shrub
The bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) is California’s official state shrub.
This is one of the newest California state symbols. It was designated in 2025 through Assembly Bill 581.
The shrub is well adapted to California’s wildfire-prone landscapes. Its roots can help stabilize soil, while its seeds can germinate in response to fire.
California State Lichen
The official state lichen is lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii).
It forms delicate, net-like strands on trees and shrubs. It is also particularly sensitive to air pollution, so its presence can provide useful information about air quality.
The lichen also provides food and nesting material for animals.
California State Mushroom
California’s official state mushroom is the California golden chanterelle (Cantharellus californicus).
The mushroom is associated with California forests and demonstrates the importance of fungi within healthy ecosystems.
Its official designation also helps highlight California’s biodiversity and the ecological connections between fungi, plants, forests, and soil.
California State Mineral, Rock, and Gemstone
California’s geological symbols are closely connected to its Gold Rush history and distinctive geology.
California State Mineral
The official state mineral is native gold.
Gold was designated as California’s state mineral in 1965. The choice is strongly connected to the discovery of gold in 1848 and the California Gold Rush that followed.
The Gold Rush dramatically changed California’s population and economy and played a major role in the state’s development.
California State Rock
California’s official state rock is serpentine.
It was adopted as the state rock in 1965. Serpentine can appear in blue-green and green shades and occurs in many parts of California.
California State Gemstone
The official state gemstone is benitoite.
California designated benitoite as its state gemstone in 1985. It is a rare blue gemstone and is sometimes called the “blue diamond.”
California State Fossil and Dinosaur
California’s prehistoric symbols give you a glimpse into a world that existed millions of years before the modern state.
California State Fossil
The saber-toothed tiger is California’s official state fossil.
It was designated in 1973. The animal is commonly associated with Smilodon and is famous for its enormous canine teeth.
California’s fossil record contains important evidence of these prehistoric predators and the animals that lived alongside them.
California State Dinosaur
California’s official state dinosaur is Augustynolophus morrisi.
This hadrosaur lived approximately 72.1 to 66 million years ago. Two fossil specimens were discovered in California, one in Fresno County and another in San Benito County.
It was a plant-eating dinosaur estimated to have been around 26 feet long and weighing approximately three tons.
California State Agricultural Symbols
Agriculture is one of the most important parts of California’s economy, and the state has official symbols that recognize this heritage.
California State Nuts
California’s official state nuts are:
- Almond
- Walnut
- Pistachio
- Pecan
These crops are economically important to California agriculture. The official state emblem roster specifically recognizes all four as state nuts.
The pecan is particularly interesting because it is the only one of the four identified in the state roster as native to California.
California State Soil
The official state soil is San Joaquin Soil.
It was designated as California’s state soil in 1997. The designation recognizes the importance of soil and California’s extensive soil-inventory work.
California State Cultural Symbols
California’s official symbols are not limited to animals and plants. Several represent music, dance, clothing, theater, and other aspects of cultural life.
California State Dance
California’s official state dance is West Coast Swing.
The dance originated in California and later became popular in competitions throughout the United States and internationally.
California State Folk Dance
The official state folk dance is the square dance.
This designation recognizes a traditional American dance form that became part of California’s cultural heritage.
California State Fabric
California’s official state fabric is denim.
Denim became strongly associated with California during the Gold Rush, when durable clothing was valuable for miners, farmers, and workers.
The fabric was jointly patented in 1873 by San Francisco merchant Levi Strauss and Nevada tailor Jacob Davis.
California State Song
California’s official state song is “I Love You, California.”
The lyrics were written by F. B. Silverwood, with music by A. F. Frankenstein of Los Angeles. The song was first performed publicly in 1913.
The Legislature later recognized it as the state song, and it officially became the state song by law in 1988.
California State Tartan
California’s official state tartan was adopted in 2001.
It is based on the family tartan of John Muir, the famous naturalist and conservationist. Its colors include Pacific blue, meadow green, charcoal, red, gold, and blue.
California State Theater
The Pasadena Playhouse is California’s official state theater.
It received the designation in 1937 and has an important place in California’s performing-arts history. The theater is also recognized as a California Historical Landmark.
California State Historical and Maritime Symbols
Some state symbols preserve important chapters of California’s history.
California State Gold Rush Ghost Town
Bodie is California’s official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.
Located in Mono County, Bodie preserves the remains of a historic mining community and provides a powerful connection to the Gold Rush era.
It received its official designation in 2001.
California State Silver Rush Ghost Town
Calico is California’s official State Silver Rush Ghost Town.
Calico developed as a mining town during California’s silver-mining era. It was designated as the state silver rush ghost town in 2005.
California State Tall Ship
The Californian is California’s official state tall ship.
It became the state’s tallest ship in 2003. The vessel is a full-scale reproduction of the 1848 Revenue Cutter Lawrence and is housed at the San Diego Maritime Museum.
California State Fife and Drum Corps
The California Consolidated Drum Band is the official State Fife and Drum Corps.
It received the designation in 1997 and represents another part of California’s historical and musical heritage.
California State Historical Society
The California Historical Society is the official California State Historical Society.
Established in 1871, it collects, preserves, and exhibits materials related to California and the history of the American West.
California State Military Museum
The California State Military Museum and Resource Center is the official state military museum.
It was designated in 2004 and preserves material connected to California’s military history.
California State Pet
California has an unusual but meaningful official state pet: a shelter pet.
The designation was made in 2015 to raise awareness of animals living in shelters and encourage people to consider adoption.
Unlike a traditional state animal, this symbol represents a cause as well as an animal.
California State Prehistoric Artifact
The Chipped Stone Bear is California’s official state prehistoric artifact.
The object was discovered during an archaeological dig in San Diego County in 1985. It resembles a walking bear and is estimated to be approximately 7,000 to 8,000 years old.
California designated it as a state symbol in 1991, becoming the first state to establish an official prehistoric artifact.
California State Outdoor Play
The Ramona Pageant is California’s official state outdoor play.
The pageant has been performed in Hemet since 1923 and is based on Helen Hunt Jackson’s 1884 novel Ramona.
California designated the Ramona Pageant as the official state outdoor play in 1993.
California State Quarter
The California Quarter was issued by the United States Mint on January 31, 2005, as part of the 50 State Quarters Program.
The design features John Muir, Yosemite Valley’s Half Dome, and a California condor flying above the landscape.
The coin also includes the inscriptions “California,” “John Muir,” “Yosemite Valley,” and “1850.”
The quarter is not the same type of designation as California’s state animal or state flower, but it is included among the official California emblems listed by the Secretary of State.
California State Sport
California’s official state sport is surfing.
The state established surfing as its official sport in 2018. California is home to numerous internationally known surf breaks, including Malibu, Trestles, Mavericks, Rincon, and Steamer Lane.
For you, this may be one of the easiest California symbols to connect with the state’s identity: sunshine, beaches, waves, and the Pacific coast.
California State Holiday
California Poppy Day is the official state holiday associated with the California poppy.
It is observed on April 6. California encourages public schools and educational institutions to conduct educational activities about the poppy, native plants, wildflowers, and conservation.
California State Memorials
California also recognizes important memorials as official state emblems.
California Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The California Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located in Capitol Park in Sacramento.
It was dedicated in 1988 and commemorates Californians who died or went missing in action during the Vietnam War.
California LGBTQ Veterans Memorial
The California LGBTQ Veterans Memorial is another official state memorial.
The memorial was created through legislation in 2018 and is located at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City. The California Secretary of State identifies it as the first official memorial of its type dedicated in the United States.
Newest California State Symbols
If you are looking for the most recently added CA state symbols, two important additions are especially worth remembering.
Bigberry Manzanita
The bigberry manzanita became California’s official state shrub in 2025 through Assembly Bill 581.
It is native almost exclusively to California and is adapted to wildfire-prone landscapes. Its ability to regenerate after fire makes it particularly relevant to California’s environment.
Giant Garter Snake
The giant garter snake became California’s official state snake in 2025 through Senate Bill 765.
The species is endemic to California and occurs in the Central Valley. The state roster notes that its population has declined by more than 90 percent over the past century.
These newer designations show that California’s official symbols are not simply historical artifacts. The list can continue to change as the state recognizes important native species and cultural resources.
Why Are California State Symbols Important?
California state symbols help turn abstract ideas about the state into recognizable images and traditions.
The grizzly bear represents California’s historic identity. The golden poppy represents its natural beauty. Gold recalls the Gold Rush. Redwoods represent its forests, while the gray whale, garibaldi, and leatherback sea turtle highlight the Pacific Ocean.
Other symbols tell different stories. Denim connects California with the Gold Rush and working culture. Surfing reflects the state’s coastal lifestyle. The California State Tartan connects California with John Muir and Scottish heritage.
When you look at the entire collection, you can see that California’s identity is much broader than one famous flower or flag.
What Are The Most Important CA State Symbols To Know?
If you only need the most recognizable California symbols for a school assignment, quiz, or quick reference, focus on these:
- State Animal: California Grizzly Bear
- State Bird: California Quail
- State Flower: Golden Poppy
- State Tree: California Redwood
- State Flag: Bear Flag
- State Motto: Eureka
- State Nickname: The Golden State
- State Colors: Blue and Gold
- State Mineral: Native Gold
- State Sport: Surfing
These ten give you a strong foundation for understanding California’s identity.
Frequently Asked Questions About CA State Symbols
What Is California’s State Animal?
California’s official state animal is the California grizzly bear. Although the animal is extinct in California today, it remains on the state flag and Great Seal and continues to represent the state’s historic identity.
What Is California’s State Flower?
The golden poppy is California’s official state flower. It became the state flower in 1903, and April 6 is recognized as California Poppy Day.
What Is California’s State Bird?
The California quail, also called the valley quail, is the official state bird. It was designated in 1931.
What Is California’s State Tree?
The California redwood is the official state tree. The designation includes California’s coast redwood and giant sequoia.
What Is California’s State Motto?
California’s official state motto is “Eureka,” a Greek expression meaning “I have found it.” It became the official motto in 1963.
What Is California’s State Nickname?
California’s official nickname is “The Golden State.” It became the official state nickname in 1968 and is associated with both the Gold Rush and California’s golden poppies.
What Are California’s State Colors?
California’s official colors are blue and gold, specifically Yale Blue and Golden Yellow.
What Is California’s State Fish?
The California golden trout is the official state fish. It is native to California’s southern Sierra Nevada and was designated the state fish in 1947.
What Is California’s State Reptile?
The desert tortoise is California’s official state reptile. It has held this designation since 1972.
What Is California’s State Insect?
The California dogface butterfly is the official state insect. It became California’s state insect in 1972 and is found naturally only in California.
What Is California’s State Rock?
Serpentine is California’s official state rock. It was adopted by the Legislature in 1965.
What Is California’s State Mineral?
Native gold is California’s official state mineral. Its designation reflects the enormous historical importance of gold and the California Gold Rush.
What Is California’s State Gemstone?
Benitoite is California’s official state gemstone. It was designated in 1985 and is known for its distinctive blue color.
What Is California’s State Sport?
Surfing is California’s official state sport. The state officially designated it in 2018.
What Is California’s State Snake?
The giant garter snake is California’s official state snake. It was formally added to the state symbols in 2025.
What Is California’s State Shrub?
The bigberry manzanita is California’s official state shrub. It was designated in 2025 and is adapted to California’s fire-prone landscapes.
What Is California’s State Pet?
California’s official state pet is a shelter pet. The designation was made in 2015 to promote awareness of shelter animals and adoption.
What Is California’s State Fabric?
Denim is California’s official state fabric. Its designation reflects its strong connection to California’s Gold Rush and working history.
What Is California’s State Song?
California’s official state song is “I Love You, California.” It became the official state song by law in 1988.
What Is California’s State Dinosaur?
California’s official state dinosaur is Augustynolophus morrisi, a plant-eating hadrosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period.
What Is California’s State Fossil?
The saber-toothed tiger is California’s official state fossil. It was designated in 1973.
What Is California’s State Mushroom?
The California golden chanterelle is California’s official state mushroom. Its designation highlights the importance of fungi and forest ecosystems.
What Is California’s State Grass?
Purple needlegrass is California’s official state grass. It was designated in 2004 and is one of the state’s important native perennial grasses.
What Is California’s State Marine Mammal?
The California gray whale is the official state marine mammal. It was designated in 1975.
What Is California’s State Marine Fish?
The garibaldi is California’s official state marine fish. It is a brightly colored fish found in California’s coastal waters.
What Is California’s State Marine Reptile?
The Pacific leatherback sea turtle is California’s official state marine reptile. It is known for its flexible shell and remarkable diving ability.
Conclusion
California’s state symbols offer a fascinating snapshot of everything that makes the Golden State distinctive. From the golden poppy and towering redwoods to the California grizzly bear, golden trout, gold, and Bear Flag, these emblems connect the state’s natural environment with its history and culture.
I hope this guide gives you a complete answer when you search for CA state symbols and helps you find the exact symbol you need quickly. Whether you are learning about California for school, preparing a project, researching state history, or simply exploring what makes California special, these official emblems give you plenty of stories to discover.
Caleb Thornton
I’m Caleb Thornton, a researcher and content writer who loves exploring fascinating subjects and sharing what I learn with readers. My interests include natural places, lakes, symbols, culture, history, and the stories that make ordinary topics more meaningful.
When I write an article, I try to go beyond a basic answer. I look for useful facts, relevant context, and details that can help readers understand the subject more completely.
My purpose is simple: I want every article I contribute to provide genuine value, satisfy the reader’s curiosity, and make discovering new information enjoyable.
## Books by Caleb Thornton
* Symbols & Meanings: Exploring the Signs We See Every Day
* Lakes of the World: Nature, Beauty & Exploration