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California Bear Flag. (Photo: ca.gov)

California ‘Cocktail Trivia:’ Official State Designations

California law lists over 35 items as official state designations

By Chris Micheli, February 22, 2023 7:03 am

Do you like “cocktail trivia”? If so, did you know that California law lists over 35 items as official state designations? California Government Code Title 1, Division 2, Chapter 2 (titled “State Flag and Emblems”) contains the following official state designated items:

The Bear Flag is the State Flag of California – Gov’t Code Sec. 420

“Eureka” is the official State Motto – Gov’t Code Sec. 420.5

“The Golden State” is the official State Nickname – Gov’t Code Sec. 420.75

The golden poppy is the official State Flower (and April 6 is California Poppy Day) – Gov’t Code Sec. 421

West Coast Swing Dance is the official State Dance – Gov’t Code Sec. 421.5(a)

Square Dance is the official State Folk Dance – Gov’t Code Sec. 421.5(b)

“I Love You, California” is an official State Song – Gov’t Code Sec. 421.7

The California redwood is the official State Tree – Gov’t Code Sec. 422

Almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan are each the official State Nut – Gov’t Code Sec. 422.3

The California desert tortoise is the official State Reptile – Gov’t Code Sec. 422.5(a)

The Pacific leatherback sea turtle is the official State Marine Reptile – Gov’t Code Sec. 422.5(b)

The California red-legged frog is the official State Amphibian – Gov’t Code Sec. 422.7

The California valley quail is the official Bird and Avifaunal Emblem – Gov’t Code Sec. 423

“The Californian” is the official State Tall Ship – Gov’t Code Sec. 423.5

Denim is the official State Fabric – Gov’t Code Sec. 423.6

Official colors of the state are blue and gold – Gov’t Code Sec. 424

The official State Tartan is described as a pattern of alternate squares of meadow green and pacific blue – Gov’t Code Sec. 424.3

California dogface butterfly on a stamp. (Photo: Public Domain)

The California dog-face butterfly is the official State Insect – Gov’t Code Sec. 424.5

Lace lichen is the official State Lichen – Gov’s Code Sec. 424.6

Surfing is the official State Sport – Gov’t Code Sec. 424.7

The California Grizzly bear is the state Animal – Gov’t Code Sec. 425

Native gold is the official State Mineral – Gov’t Code Sec. 425.1

Serpentine is the official State Rock – Gov’t Code Sec. 425.2

Benitoite is the official State Gemstone – Gov’t Code Sec. 425.3

The California gray whale is the official State Marine Mammal – Gov’t Code Sec. 425.5

The garibaldi is the official State Marine Fish – Gov’t Code Sec. 425.6

The Augustynolophus morrisi is the official State Dinosaur – Gov’t Code Section 425.7(a)

Augustynolophus morrisi, California official state Dinosaur. (Photo: https://capitolmuseum.ca.gov/state-symbols/dinosaur-augustynolophus-morrisi/)

The saber-toothed cat is the official State Fossil – Gov’t Code Section 425.7(b)

The Chipped Stone Bear is the official State Prehistoric Artifact – Gov’t Code Sec. 425.8

San Joaquin Soil is the official State Soil – Gov’t Code Sec. 425.9(b)

Purple needlegrass is the official State Grass – Gov’t Code Sec. 425.10

The LGBTQ Veterans Memorial at Desert Memorial Park is the official State LGBTQ Veterans Memorial – Gov’t Code Sec. 429.4

The California Historical Society is the official State Historical Society – Gov’t Code Sec. 429.5

California State Military Museum and Resource Center is the official State Military Museum – Gov’t Code Sec. 429.6

Bodie is the official State Gold Rush Ghost Town – Gov’t Code Sec. 429.7

Calico is the official State Silver Rush Ghost Town – Gov’t Code Sec. 429.8

California Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the official State Vietnam Veterans War Memorial – Gov’t Code Sec. 429.9

What other items with the Legislature designate as official state items in the coming years?

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3 thoughts on “California ‘Cocktail Trivia:’ Official State Designations

  1. This is kinda fun! — thanks for posting it, Chris Micheli. Is it me or do some of these official state designations change each time a list like this one is published?

  2. When are will elected officials stop coming up with meaningless state designations and address issues that matter to most California citizens such a crime, adequate water, and affordable power? That will never happen as long as the Democrat cabal is in control?

  3. Think about it. We pay these idiots top dollar to to come up with this trivia.

    What is next? The French Laundry? Newsom’s hair grease?

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