California State Nickname: The Golden State
Fact-checked • Updated December 10, 2025
"The Golden State"
Also Known As:
About the Nickname The Golden State
California carries the official state nickname The Golden State. This name became law in 1968 when state lawmakers voted to make it official. The California nickname connects to the discovery of gold in 1848 at a place called Sutter's Mill near Sacramento. Gold shaped the state's early growth and attracted thousands of people from around the world. Golden poppies bloom across hillsides each spring, adding another gold connection to California's identity.
Meaning of 'The Golden State'
The Golden State nickname points to several gold-related features in California. James Marshall found gold at Sutter's Mill in January 1848. This discovery started the California Gold Rush. Between 1848 and 1855, more than 300,000 people moved to California hoping to find gold and get rich.
California's state flower adds to the golden theme. The golden poppy grows wild throughout the state and covers fields with bright orange-gold flowers from February to September. People have used the name Golden State since at least 1856, when writer Eliza Farnham published a book with that title. The California Maritime Academy named its first training ship the Golden State.
Gold remains California's official state mineral. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco takes its name from the Golden Gate strait, which got that name before the Gold Rush even started. People across America recognize California as the Golden State today.
Other Nicknames
El Dorado State
This nickname came from Spanish legends about a city made of gold. El Dorado means 'the golden one' in Spanish. During the Gold Rush, people compared California to this mythical place of wealth. Miners believed they could strike it rich just like the legendary El Dorado promised. A county in Northern California still carries the name El Dorado today. This nickname was popular in the 1800s when gold fever brought fortune seekers from every continent.
Grape State
California earned this name because of its huge wine industry. The state grows grapes across thousands of acres in regions like Napa Valley and Sonoma County. California produces about 85 percent of all wine made in the United States. Wine grapes need the right climate to grow well, and California's warm, dry summers work perfectly. Visitors from around the world come to tour vineyards and taste wines. The Grape State nickname highlights agriculture as a major part of California's economy.
Land of Milk and Honey
This phrase comes from the Bible and describes a place with plenty of food and good things. People started calling California this because the state produces enormous amounts of crops. The Central Valley grows fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains that feed millions of Americans. California farms produce more than a third of the nation's vegetables and two-thirds of its fruits and nuts. Dairy farms also produce large quantities of milk. The nickname suggests California offers abundance and opportunity for those who live there.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 6
Writer Eliza Farnham used Golden State in a book title back in 1856, more than a century before it became official.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Official information about California's Golden State nickname including historical usage and when it became the official state designation
Comprehensive article covering California's history, geography, and how the Golden State nickname relates to the state's identity