Symbol | Official Item

In 1951 California designated blue and gold as the official state colors. All State Colors

California designated the California quail (Callipepla Californicus) as official state bird in 1931. All State Birds

Known for their hardiness and adaptability, the native California quail is a plump bird, smaller than a pigeon, with a distinctive black plume on its head and a black bib with a white stripe under its beak.  It spends most of its time on the ground but will launch into a short but explosive flight when disturbed.  

The California Consolidated Drum Band was designated the official state fife and drum corps in 1997. All State Music Symbols

The music of fife and drum roused and inspired soldiers during significant events in this country's history.

The California Historical Society (founded in 1871) was officially recognized as a symbol of California in 1979. All Cultural Heritage Symbols

The California Historical Society's mission is; "... to engage the public’s interest and participation in collecting, preserving, and presenting art, artifacts, and written materials relevant to the history of California and to support historical research, publication, and educational activities."

California designate purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) as the official state grass in 2004. California grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the United States. All State Grasses

California designated benitoite as the official state gemstone in 1985. All State Gemstones

Benitoite Facts

Benitoite is sometimes called the "blue diamond." First discovered near the headwaters of the San Benito River in 1907 (hence the name), benitoite is a very rare gem that ranges in color from a light transparent blue to dark, sapphire blue, or occasionally a violet shade.

California designated the saber-toothed cat as the official state fossil in 1973 (California also recognized an official state dinosaur in 2017). All State Fossils

California designated the square dance as the official state folk dance in 1988 (west coast swing is the state dance). All State Dances

The California poppy (Eschscholzia Californica) was designated the state flower of California in 1903. All State Flowers

Also known as the flame flower, la amapola, and copa de oro (cup of gold), the California poppy grows wild throughout the state. Native Americans in California valued the poppy as a food source and for the oil extracted from the plant.

In 1996 a group of 4th-grade students at Caln Elementary School in Coatesville, PA, initiated efforts to get sponsorship for a resolution designating the chocolate chip cookie as the official state cookie of Pennsylvania.  However, the legislation to adopt a state cookie has been held up for several years as lawmakers struggle between the chocolate chip, Nazareth sugar cookie (House Bill 219), and the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie (House Bill 2479).