California · The Golden State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
California state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
California's official state song is “I Love You, California”, first sung in 1913, made the official state song in 1988. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Golden Coast”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for California, with its full lyrics.
An original song for California
Sunny West Coast pop-rock, jangly guitars, surf-style harmonies, bright synths and a big singalong chorus
“Golden Coast” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male and female duet · Sunny West Coast pop-rock.
Verse 1
Fog rolls off the Golden Gate and burns away by noon
Surfers out at Malibu are chasing down the moon
Redwoods older than the stories, Yosemite in spring
California, you're the song the whole world wants to sing
Chorus
Golden coast, golden poppies, golden light on the sea
Eureka, I have found it, and it's everything to me
From Hollywood to Humboldt, the valley to the shore
California, you're the dream I keep on dreaming more
Verse 2
Sacramento in the summer heat, the river running slow
Orange groves and vineyards in a long and gentle row
Highway 1 is bending where the cliffs drop to the blue
A million little lights in L.A. and every one is you
Chorus
Golden coast, golden poppies, golden light on the sea
Eureka, I have found it, and it's everything to me
From Hollywood to Humboldt, the valley to the shore
California, you're the dream I keep on dreaming more
Bridge
They came for gold a lifetime back, they came and stayed for sun
California, you're the place where every road has just begun
Chorus
Golden coast, golden poppies, golden light on the sea
Eureka, I have found it, and it's everything to me
From Hollywood to Humboldt, the valley to the shore
California, you're the dream I keep on dreaming more
About “Golden Coast”
California gets a sunny West Coast pop-rock anthem with surf harmonies and a chorus built on the state motto, "Eureka". The verses run from the Golden Gate to Malibu, the redwoods, Yosemite, the Central Valley and Highway 1.
The California poppy in the chorus is the state flower. The official song, "I Love You, California", dates from 1913 and became official in 1988; this one is a modern companion, not a cover.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Golden Gate Bridge
- Yosemite
- the redwoods
- Hollywood
- Highway 1 and the Pacific
- California quail
- California poppy
SongUp AI composed and sang this song from the lyrics above and the style line under the title, the same way it makes songs for its users. It is not the official state song and it is not a cover.
The official state song of California
- Title
- “I Love You, California”
- Written by
- words by F. B. Silverwood, music by A. F. Frankenstein
- Status
- first sung in 1913, made the official state song in 1988
The song was popular at the 1915 Panama-Pacific exposition in San Francisco but waited 75 years for the legislature to make it official.
Many official state songs are still in copyright, so their lyrics are not printed here. The state's own website or legislature publishes the official text.
California at a glance
- Nickname
- The Golden State
- Capital
- Sacramento
- Largest city
- Los Angeles
- Statehood
- September 9, 1850 (31st state)
- Motto
- Eureka (I have found it)
- State bird
- California quail
- State flower
- California poppy
- Official state song
- "I Love You, California" (first sung in 1913, made the official state song in 1988)
Questions about California's state song
What is the official state song of California?
The official state song of California is "I Love You, California", words by F. B. Silverwood, music by A. F. Frankenstein, first sung in 1913, made the official state song in 1988. The song was popular at the 1915 Panama-Pacific exposition in San Francisco but waited 75 years for the legislature to make it official.
Is "Golden Coast" the official state song of California?
No. "Golden Coast" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for California. The official state song is "I Love You, California", first sung in 1913, made the official state song in 1988. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Golden Coast" about?
California gets a sunny West Coast pop-rock anthem with surf harmonies and a chorus built on the state motto, "Eureka". The verses run from the Golden Gate to Malibu, the redwoods, Yosemite, the Central Valley and Highway 1. It names the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite, the redwoods, Hollywood and Highway 1 and the Pacific, with the state bird (california quail) and state flower (california poppy) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "I Love You, California" and when was it adopted?
"I Love You, California" is credited to words by F. B. Silverwood, music by A. F. Frankenstein; it was first sung in 1913, made the official state song in 1988. The song was popular at the 1915 Panama-Pacific exposition in San Francisco but waited 75 years for the legislature to make it official.
What are California's state symbols?
California is nicknamed The Golden State. Its capital is Sacramento and its largest city is Los Angeles. It joined the Union on September 9, 1850 (31st state). The state motto is "Eureka (I have found it)", the state bird is the california quail and the state flower is the california poppy.
Can I play or share "Golden Coast"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about California, your town, your school or your family, with the names and places you choose, describe it on the Create page: a free account hears a 30-second preview of its own lyrics sung, and a full song comes with a Pro plan.
How do I make my own song about California?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Los Angeles, CA") or paste your own lyrics, pick a voice, and SongUp AI writes, sings and mixes it in a few minutes. Every song comes with a lyric video, stems and a gift page.