Why Is The Grizzly Bear Californias State Animal?

Anyone familiar with the California state flag could be forgiven for thinking that Californians really love their grizzly bears. The flag’s only significant design feature, other than a red stripe along the bottom, is a big brown grizzly, with the words “California Republic” emblazoned underneath.

Just where does the association between California and the grizzly come from? The grizzly was designated California’s state animal in 1953, as it turns out, in something of a lament and a memorial.

The California grizzly bear once roamed freely over much of the state, especially in the lower mountains and valleys. The California grizzly was powerful and fierce and had no trouble defending itself until settlers began moving to the area in droves during the Gold Rush in the mid-19th century.

But the grizzly did not give up its territory without a fight. It became famous among settlers for killing their livestock, making messes of their campsites, and of their homesteads in general. Settlers did not take the threat from grizzlies to their property (and to their lives) lightly.

Grizzlies were generally quite large. The largest grizzly ever recorded in the state weighed 2,200 pounds; it was killed in Valley Center, California, in 1866. Its size made such an impression that Catherine Lovett Smith, whose ranch the bear had been found on when she was only six years old, remembered the incident in an oral history to the new owner of the ranch decades later in 1932, at the age of 72.

An Alaskan grizzly bear, which looks similar to the now-extinct California grizzly

But the grizzly was no match for the guns that settlers brought with them. Some 75 years after gold was discovered in California, the last grizzlies were killed. The final grizzly was killed in Tulane County in August of 1922.

Twenty years later, the California State Legislature gave the California Fish and Game Commission the authority to regulate people’s ability to kill and capture wildlife. And 11 years after that, the grizzly’s fierce defense of its homeland of California was honored with making it the official mascot of the state and putting its likeness on the flag.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.