The Top 5 Most Beautiful College Campuses in California

Going to college is one of the most important choices an 18-year-old will make. It’s where you’ll meet some of your best friends, make some of your best memories, and potentially stay after you graduate. One of the most popular places for college is California, thanks to all of the amazing college campuses.

The weather, amazing scenery, constant entertainment, and quality education are just a few of the reasons California stands out. When picking the college you might want to attend, one quality a lot of people think about is the beauty of the campus. California schools make sure to stand out with their looks. These are the five most beautiful college campuses in California.

University of California, Los Angeles

Let’s start off in Los Angeles, as UCLA is a must-have for any California college list. Located in the stunning neighborhood of Westwood, the University of California, Los Angeles was founded back in 1919. There are currently over 47,000 students who call UCLA home, and with good reason. The school has some amazing views of downtown and the beach. One of the nicest parts of the campus is the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden.

While there are still plenty of palm trees, the garden is a perfect escape for anyone on campus looking for a nature feel. Even though UCLA is in the suburbs, it’s known for having coyotes, bees, and birds. If a coyote comes up to you on campus, don’t approach it. If the coyote comes up to you, make yourself as big as you can. UCLA is a great place to get the full college experience and should be on your list of where to go.

Stanford University

One of the most prestigious academic colleges in the United States is Stanford. This university is located in Stanford, California, which is about an hour from San Francisco. Unlike UCLA, Stanford is a smaller, private school with only 17,000 students. Stanford is also known for having coyotes present on campus.

Stanford sits at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains so it makes sense that wild coyotes make their way down from time to time. While very rare, it’s important to keep an eye out for bears and other mountain animals that might make their way down. Stanford is home to many different beautiful plants on campus, including western leatherwood and coast rock cress.

University of San Diego

Located in the beautiful city of San Diego, California, the University of San Diego can claim some of the most amazing beach views. However, there are only about 5,000 undergraduate students who attend and can take in these views. Those who do are incredibly grateful and know they made the right choice.

If you’re looking to make it downtown, you’ll only be driving for around five miles, with the same distance to Mission Beach. The university has a very small campus, set in a suburban part of San Diego. For this reason, there aren’t many animals found on campus. There are many different plant species you can find on campus, including palm trees, tulip trees, and evergreen pear trees.

University of California, Santa Barbara

Coming in at number two on this list is the University of California, Santa Barbara. The university is located right next to the Santa Barbara Airport and sits on a beach called Campus Point Beach. 23,000 students call UCSB home and enjoy all that the university has to offer.

The campus sits at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, making it have some incredible wildlife. The most common animals you’ll see around are owls, raccoons, and vast insects. You might also stumble upon plants such as the California fuchsia and purple sage.

Pepperdine University

Arguably the most beautiful college in the world is Pepperdine University. This private institution lies in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Malibu. Around 10,000 students found their way to Pepperdine. Those who attend are within a short walk to numerous different beaches, including Amarillo Beach and Malibu Beach.

The campus sits inside the Santa Monica Mountains. Because of the location relative to the mountains, rattlesnakes, coyotes, and even mountain lions will make their way onto campus. In the case of all these animals, it’s smart to be calm and slowly back away. Usually, the animals won’t progress any further. You’ll also find plants such as floss-silk trees, Canary Island palms, and many more.

Going to college is a huge choice. Making sure to pick a college that has beauty all around it and inside makes the experience that much better. It can help brighten your mood when the stress of college picks up. You can also learn more about the ecosystem of the local area. There aren’t a lot of better places to do this than these beautiful college campuses in California.

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