The official state flag of California, called the Bear Flag, was first used on June 14, 1846, but was not officially adopted until 1911. It was designed by William Todd.
The flag pictures a grizzly bear and a star. The first Californian flag was quickly made by a group of American settlers who had just captured the town of Sonoma (from Mexico) and needed a flag to replace the Mexican banner.

Capital: Sacramento

Nickname: Golden State

Motto: Eureka (I have found it)

Flower: Golden Poppy (1903)

California was the 31st state in the USA; it was admitted in 1850.

For more information about California click here.

Artists
 
AKW Studio
The work of Allison Kendis White and her collection of textile art and design. Site includes images of her work, biography, and more information about purchasing apparel and licensing market.

Alex Vaz Gallery
Photography, sculpture, and illustration.

Clay and Wood
Brief introduction to the "one off" and limited production furniture and ceramic art of Richard and JoAnn Patterson.

Jean Benabou
A gallery of paintings using obsured images through a multitude of painted and varnished surfaces, collage materials and layers.

Jimmy Chen
Painter and writer.

Julia van der Wyk
Showcases paintings, lithographs, etchings and woodcuts.

Rebecca Fox Metal Sculpture
A San Francisco based artist who creates welded steel sculpture.

Sculley Design
Features an array of design work including business cards, flyers, point of sale, skateboards, murals and various acrylic/spray painted collages.

The Art Office
A studio for art, architecture, and design.

Graphic Designers
 
344 Design
Los Angeles design and illustration firm specializing in work for the advertising and music industry.

applebox
Specializing in graphic design for print and the web. Over 1400 projects successfully served.

Elevater Design
A San Diego based multidisciplinary marketing and design firm that specializes in brand building.

Eugene Hancharou
California based designer featuring personal portfolio of web sites and print design.

Evolution Bureau
Design and advertising.

glassCanopy
Offers creative marketing services, from corporate identity and sales collateral to trade shows and Web sites.

HamiltonBerchman Design Group, Inc.
Provides graphic design and web development services for businesses and non-profit organizations.

Horizon Marketing Communications
Full-service marketing company which offers branding and identity, catalogs/direct mail, corporate communication, packaging, print advertising, web sites, and e-marketing. Locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Pittsburgh.

J3 Design
Web design and development to print design and branding.

J3 Productions
A graphic design firm based in Irvine. Site features an innovative portfolio.

Jill Bell
Type design, calligraphy, logotypes and marks.

Jungle 8
Organic creativity.

Kathryn Anderson
A creative and experienced freelance graphic designer, focused on visually representing the business and personality of clients, and communicating their messages through informative and captivating presentations.

Mayhem Studios
A design studio that helps businesses develop an identity and brand recognition.

Media Portfolio
Media Portfolio is all about design...to visualize, communicate and promote through the media of Print, Video, 3D, and the Web.

Michael Doret
An online portfolio of letterform and image design.

Neil Gavigan
Creative A to Z. Offering art, design, llustration, photography, web design and animation.

Plasmatic Concepts
A multidisciplinary research and design firm based in Hollywood. Their work spans the diverse industries of graphic design, animation, interactive media, installations and architecture.

Plush Cadillac Designs
A small professional design studio committed to providing quality graphic and web design for small to medium sized businesses.

Prospect Design & Marketing
Brand communication solutions.

sl26
An independent, creative studio specializing in developing unique graphic design solutions for Web and print media.

Sara Waters Graphic Design
San Francisco Bay Area graphic design for print, corporate identity and Web sites.

Sleep With The Fishes
Digital and print design firm.

Studio QED, Inc.
Provides complete graphic design and marketing solutions located in Palo Alto.

Interactive Designers

415
An interactive design firm based in San Francisco.

Blindog
Specializing in Internet-related design services, including Web navigation, application interfaces, and interactive media.

Burntgraphix
Fun Web design.

Creative Jolt
San Francisco design firm specializing in unique Web, print and multimedia solutions.

Creative Media Works
A multi-disciplinary media studio.

Creative Revolution
Clients range from Fortune 1000 companies to start-ups.

Dept 3
Brand-building Web agency.

Desite
Web design with a smile.

Digitaria Interactive
Specializing in digital design, creative platform development, multi-platform interface design, technical innovation and implementation.

DNA Studio
Web design and animation.

Fluid
Design and development services for electronic media.

FROG
A new homepage for your smartphone. A truly mobile and customizable Internet experience is now on your phone. From sports scores and fine dining to flight status and local traffic, FROG puts the power of the internet in your hands.

Grapheye
Graphic and Web design firm.

Solfira Media, Inc.
Specializes in online branding, internet marketing & technology solutions for any size business.

Visible Theory
Full service design studio that specializes in interactive design and development, brand ID and traditional design mediums.

Interior Designers

Mark Sylva Designs
Residential interiors for new homes, condos and remodels.

Onley Make Believe Decorative Pillows
A collection of unique custom made decorative pillows and home accessories for home and office environments.

Planet Profil
Specializes in providing custom wallcoverings - utilizing the latest digital printing technology - to decorators, architects, contractors, homeowners, and business professionals in the Bay Area.

Saint Tropez Boutique
Exclusive selection of fine natural stones, terra cotta, encaustic cement tiles, and exotic furniture from all over the world. Direct importer of fine limestone tiles, moroccan zillij tiles, handmade moorish tiles, and other decorative tiles.

Sherman Gabus
Corporate and healthcare environments, space planning, and product design.