by Michele Beasley
Did you know California has an official state mushroom? A state slug? Even a state lichen? California loves celebrating its incredible biodiversity — and the good news is, you don’t need to travel far to find these iconic species. Many of them call San Mateo County Parks home. Here’s your guide to spotting California’s coolest official symbols right in our collective backyard.
State Rock: Serpentine That waxy, greenish rock you might notice at Edgewood Natural Preserve is no ordinary stone — it’s serpentine, California’s state rock. It creates a uniquely challenging soil that many plants can’t handle, which is exactly why Edgewood’s rare grasslands are so special. Tough and beautiful, just like California, and named after the colors of a serpent: apple-green to black and mottled with some creamier coloring.
State Bird: California Valley Quail Keep your eyes (and ears!) open on the trails. That cheerful chi-CA-go call belongs to the California Valley Quail, our dapper state bird. These round little birds love to travel in groups called coveys, and they’re spotted regularly running across the trail throughout San Mateo County’s parks.
Coyote Point Poppies by Don Donoughe
State Flower: California Golden Poppy Nothing says “California spring” like hillsides ablaze in orange. The golden poppy pops up in parks and roadsides across the county from March through May. Fun fact: it’s illegal to pick them on public land — so enjoy them where they stand!
State Grass: Purple Needlegrass It may not be as flashy as the poppy, but purple needlegrass is the quiet hero of California’s native grasslands. This tough, deep-rooted grass anchors the soil and supports entire ecosystems. Look for its silvery-purple seed heads swaying in the breeze at Edgewood Preserve and San Bruno Mountain.
State Mushroom: California Golden Chanterelle After winter rains, something magical happens on the forest floor at parks like Sam McDonald — golden chanterelle mushrooms begin to emerge from the leaf litter beneath the trees and can grow quite large – the largest chanterelle species on earth! They can grow to over 12 inches across and weigh up to three pounds.
Lichen Lacework by Nina Zhao
State Lichen: Lace Lichen Draped like delicate green lace from the branches of oaks and other trees in coastal fog zones, lace lichen is one of the most ethereal sights in a California woodland. This slow-growing organism is actually a symbiotic partnership between fungus and algae that allows the organism to thrive as an epiphyte hanging from trees where neither partner could survive as well alone.
State Shrub: Bigberry Manzanita The official state shrub is bigberry manzanita, and while this exact species may not grow on San Bruno Mountain, you’ll find its close relatives thriving there in abundance. With their distinctive smooth reddish bark and small white flowers, manzanitas are some of the most recognizable — and beautiful — shrubs on our local hillsides. Read more about San Bruno Mountain’s four endemic manzanitas in Bay Nature.
Hungry Banana Slug by Lisa Gradwohl
State Slug: Banana Slug Yes, California has an official state slug, and it is the best. Bright yellow, the world’s second largest, and with slime that is classified as liquid crystal, the banana slug glides through the damp forest floors of our redwood parks. Spot one and consider yourself lucky, but don’t kiss it (!) as it will make your lips go numb and can be quite harmful to the slug. They’re nature’s little composters, breaking down dead plant material and keeping the forest healthy.
State Seashell: Black Abalone This large, ear-shaped marine snail once thrived in the rocky reefs along our coast, but due to disease and overfishing, black abalone are considered endangered today. Special places like Fitzgerald Marine Reserve were set aside for the protection of the complex but fragile community that makes their home in that area between low and high tide, including a variety of algae, crabs, sponges, seastars, mollusks, and fish.
State Marine Mammal: California Gray Whale Every year, California gray whales make one of the longest migrations of any mammal on Earth — right past our coastline. Head to Devil’s Slide on the coast trail between Pacifica and Montara for some of the best land-based whale watching around, especially from December through April. Bring binoculars!
State Bat: Pallid Bat The pallid bat is California’s official state bat and a champion pest controller — a single bat can eat hundreds of insects in a night. These pale, large-eared bats roost in rocky outcrops and old trees throughout the county. Next time you’re out at dusk and see something darting through the sky, give a little nod of appreciation. Here is the Bay Nature article that got me started on this trip through California’s state symbols. And here is an article from last fall in The Almanac on what San Mateo County is doing around local bat populations.
Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens)
State Tree: Coast Redwood California’s state tree title is shared by two giants: the Coast Redwood and the Giant Sequoia. In San Mateo County, it’s the Coast Redwood that reigns supreme. Step into Memorial Park and you’ll instantly understand why these towering trees inspire so much awe. Some of the redwoods here are hundreds of years old — they were ancient long before California was even a state.
State Amphibian: California Red-Legged Frog Made famous by Mark Twain in his 1865 story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, the California red-legged frog is the largest native frog in the western U.S. Once abundant, they’re now a threatened species, and San Mateo County’s creeks, ponds, and wetlands provide critical habitat. Spotting one is a genuine treat — and a sign that the ecosystem around you is healthy.
San Mateo County Parks are home to an extraordinary slice of California’s natural heritage. Whether you’re hiking Edgewood’s serpentine grasslands, wandering through Memorial Park’s awe-inspiring redwoods, or watching for whales from Devil’s Slide, you’re surrounded by the living symbols of our state. Get out there and explore!
Learn more about California State symbols here.