The Golden State by Sudha Gangundi

McWay Falls, the 80 ft waterfall along Big Sur coast, California

California was nicknamed The Golden State in 1968, and with good reason. From the Gold Rush of the mid 1800s to the Silicon Valley boom of the late 1900s, its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, its state flower-the Golden Poppy, its state mineral-Gold, its towering ancient redwood forests to its beautiful golden sunsets across the abundant beaches along its stunning coastline, California certainly lives up to its nickname.

State nickname: The Golden State

State colors: Blue and Gold

State mineral: Gold

State motto: Eureka!

State tree: California Redwood

State flower: California Poppy

State animal: California Grizzly

State bird: California Valley Quail

State fish: California Golden Trout

California Wildflower Superbloom

Wildflowers bloom along the Carrizo Plain National Monument, the largest single native grassland in California

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

California Poppy