What Are All the Official State Items?

In California’s Government Code, Title 1, Division 2, Chapter 2, which is titled “State Flag and Emblems,” there are a series of state-designated items. In 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed three bills making additional designations. The following is the list of these 42 official items and the corresponding section of the Government Code:

The Bear Flag is the official State Flag of all state, county, city, and town agencies. Sec. 420

“Eureka” is the official State Motto. Sec. 420.5

“The Golden State” is the official State Nickname. Sec. 420.75

The golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is the official State Flower. April 6 of each year is hereby designated California Poppy Day. Sec. 421

West Coast Swing Dance is the official state dance. Sec. 421.5

The Square Dance is the official state folk dance. Sec. 421.5

“I Love You, California,” a song published in 1913 with lyrics by F. B. Silverwood and music by A. F. Frankenstein, is an official state song. Sec. 421.7

The California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoia gigantea) is the official state tree. Sec. 422

The almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus), walnut, pistachio, and pecan are each the official state nut. Sec. 422.3

The California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is the official state reptile. Sec. 422.5

The Pacific leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the official state marine reptile. Sec. 422.5

The California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) is the official state amphibian. Sec. 422.7

The California valley quail (Lophortyx californica) is the official bird and avifaunal emblem of the State. Sec. 423

“The Californian” is the official state tall ship. Sec. 423.5

Denim is the official state fabric. Sec. 423.6

The official colors of the State are blue and gold. Sec. 424

The tartan defined herein is the official State Tartan, and may be claimed by any resident of the state. Sec. 424.3

The California dog-face butterfly (Zerene eurydice) is the official State Insect. Sec. 424.5

Lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii) is the official state lichen. Sec. 424.6

Surfing is the official state sport. Sec. 424.7

The state animal is the California Grizzly Bear (Ursus Californicus). Sec. 425

Native gold is the official State Mineral and mineralogic emblem. Sec. 425.1

Serpentine is the official State Rock and lithologic emblem. Sec. 425.2

Benitoite is the official state gemstone. Sec. 425.3

The California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is the official State Marine Mammal. Sec. 425.5

The garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) is the official state marine fish. Sec. 425.6

The Augustynolophus morrisi is the official state dinosaur. Sec. 425.7

The saber-toothed cat (Smilodon californicus) is the official state fossil. Sec. 425.7

The Chipped Stone Bear (bear-shaped eccentric) is the official state prehistoric artifact. Sec. 425.8

The Legislature hereby designates San Joaquin Soil as the official State Soil. Sec. 425.9

Purple needlegrass, or Nassella pulchra, is the official State Grass. Sec. 425.10

California Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus californicus) is the official state mushroom. Sec. 425.11

The pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) is the official state bat. Sec. 425.12

The banana slug (Ariolimax) is the official state slug. Sec, 425.13

The shell of the black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) is the official state seashell. Sec. 425.14

The Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is the official state crustacean. Sec 425.15

The LGBTQ Veterans Memorial at the Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City is the official state LGBTQ veterans memorial. Sec. 429.4

The California Historical Society is the official state historical society. Sec. 429.5

The California State Military Museum and Resource Center is the official state military museum. Sec, 429.6

Bodie is the official state gold rush ghost town. Sec. 429.7

Calico is the official state silver rush ghost town. Sec. 429.8

The California Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the official state Vietnam veterans war memorial.  Sec 429.9