Marine Fish – Garibaldi
The garibaldi is a brilliant orange fish that lives in the Pacific Ocean from Monterey Bay south to Baja California.
Lichen – Lace Lichen
Lace lichens hang in clumps from tree bark and branches, grow up to 3 feet long, are flat, yellow-green and shaped like lace.
Freshwater Fish – California Golden Trout
The California golden trout, is native to California’s southern Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Folk Dance – Square Dance
The square dance, performed by couples, has to be by far the most popular state dance form there is.
Flower – California Golden Poppy
The California golden poppy is bright orange with blue-green, fern-like leaves and grows in bushy clumps up to 2 feet tall and wide.
Fife and Drum Band – California Consolidated Drum Band
Fifes and drums came to America from Western Europe and can be heard for long distances.
Dance – West Coast Swing
The emergence of West Coast Swing dancing is a California story, rooted in the Lindy Hop of the 1930s and the later Jitterbug.
Bird – California Valley Quail
California Valley Quail live from Canada to Mexico and from the Pacific coast to Utah.
Amphibian – Red-Legged Frog
California red-legged frogs are an endangered species due to the loss of habitat, invasive species, and water pollution.
Nickname – Golden State
Golden State became the official State Nickname in 1968.