California state symbols (2024)

FAQs

What are California's 5 symbols? ›

The flag, seal, bird (California valley quail), flower (California golden poppy), and tree (California redwood) are some of the major state symbols of California.

There are 41 California State Symbols • Paso Robles Press.

The seal shows Athena in Greek mythology, the goddess of wisdom and war, because she was born an adult, and California was never a territory; a California grizzly bear, the official state animal, feeding on grape vines, representing California's wine production; a sheaf of grain, representing agriculture; a miner, ...

The state of California has two official state fish: the Golden Trout and the Garibaldi. The Golden Trout is prized for its stunning beauty, with bright yellow belly and iconic red stripe. The Garibaldi is known for its vibrant orange color and is the largest species in the Damselfish family.

California. The California state flag adorns the state's official animal, the grizzly bear, which represents strength. The grizzly bear imagery was inspired by a 19th century painting by California artist Charles Nahl.

On March 2, 1903 the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, became the official state flower of California (Ca. Government Code Section 421(opens in new tab)).

The California Quail is California's state bird and has had roles in several Walt Disney movies, including "Bambi." California Quail nests can contain as many as 28 eggs. These large clutches may be the result of females laying eggs in nests other than their own, a behavior known as "egg-dumping."

California grizzly bear

California / State animal

What is the bear symbol of California? ›

The California State Flag, also known unofficially as the “Bear Flag,” is the oldest unofficial State Symbol. Though it came into existence during the short-lived Bear Flag Revolt in the spring of 1846, it was not officially adopted as California's official State Flag until 1911.

The State Motto that appears on the State Seal is the Greek word Eureka – which means “I have found it!” These famous words were supposed to have been uttered by the ancient Greek scientist Archimedes (c. 287-212 B.C.E.) when conducting an experiment to measure the specific gravity of gold.

In 1953, the California grizzly became the official State Animal and remains one of the state's most enduring and visible symbols. Notably, California is the only state in the union that carries the image of an extinct animal on its state flag and seal.

The State Has Famous “Watermelon Snow”

In a stunning and peculiar natural phenomenon, some parts of California witness a fascinating spectacle known as “watermelon snow.” This unusual occurrence transforms the pristine white snow into vibrant hues of pink or red.

In September, the California Supreme Court left in place a lower-court decision holding that bees are fish—at least for the purpose of protecting them under California's endangered species law.

The beloved redwood became California's state tree in 1937. Today marks the anniversary of the adoption of the coast redwood as California's state tree.

With sun, sand, surf, and mountains, the West Coast state of California is known for its many attractions that lure travelers year-round. From famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood sign, to the Golden State's rich outdoor opportunities, this eclectic state makes for a well-rounded vacation.