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 Anaheim
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 Los Angeles
Photography, sculpture, and illustration.

Brett Amory Oakland
The works of Brett Amory – featuring paintings.

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

Jimmy Chen San Francisco
Painter and writer.

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

Philip Straub Santa Monica
The art of Philip Straub features Digital paintings, illustrations, 3D textures, and CG workshops.

Rebecca Fox Metal Sculpture San Francisco
Welded steel sculpture.

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

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

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

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

Evolution Bureau San Francisco
Design and advertising.

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

Horizon Marketing Communications Los Angeles + San Diego
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.

Hutner Descollonges San Francisco
A branding and design agency specializing in brand positioning, identity, print, interactive, environmental, advertising and packaging.

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

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

Jungle 8 Los Angeles
Organic creativity.

Kathryn Anderson Oakland
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 Los Angeles
A design studio that helps businesses develop an identity and brand recognition.

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

Michael Doret Hollywood
An online portfolio of letterform and image design.

Plasmatic Concepts Los Angeles
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 Newport Beach
A small professional design studio committed to providing quality graphic and web design for small to medium sized businesses.

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

unmarked vehicle Long Beach
The work of graphic artist/designer Michael J. Salter. Includes graphic design, illustration, photography, music and writing.

Interactive Designers

415 San Francisco
An interactive design firm based in San Francisco.

Anthony Hurd Cathedral City
Fun Web design.

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

Creative Media Works Sausalito
A multi-disciplinary media studio.

Desite San Francisco
Web design with a smile.

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

DNA Studio Los Angeles
Web design and animation.

Fluid San Francisco
Design and development services for electronic media.

FROG Los Angeles
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.

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

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

Interior Designers

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

Saint Tropez Boutique San Francisco
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 Long Beach
Corporate and healthcare environments, space planning, and product design.

Susan Diana Harris Interior Design Hayes Valley, San Francisco
Modern Interior Design for Homes and Businesses. Allied Member, ASID.