Alright, story time: the PenningPapers staff and I wrote this article after trekking the Golden State in person in search of the most beautiful college campuses in California.
Okay, it was sort of a workcation…
But, anyway: we made this article after making our list of pretty Cali colleges. And, we think just about any student could benefit from this list! After all, no one wants to dedicate the next 4 years of their college experience to poor weather, a bad atmosphere, and a negative learning experience.
So —as a California-based college consulting company— we’ve decided to use our expertise in, well, living here, to create this list. What better way than seeing each campus in person?
But, there was a catch.
No one wants to apply to a beautiful college with no resources.
For some reason, when we look up “pretty college campuses in Cali” on Google the results kind of suck. It seems like articles have just taken random colleges that were popular and said, “Eh, sounds good enough!”
We don’t want to do that.
Instead, we wrote this having visited each campus and ranked (in our opinions) what the top 15 pretty schools were. In addition, we made sure these were schools that had good programs and weren’t just random no-name schools!
Whew!
With that said, let’s get right to it!
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The Top 12 Most Beautiful College Campuses in California.
Below is our list of the 12 most beautiful college campuses in California.
If you’re looking to receive help at all on getting accepted into any of these schools, consider speaking with us for a free consultation. We can discuss the services available to help you maximize your chances of success.
1. UCLA (Obviously)
Well, this is obvious; but, UCLA is certainly at the top of our list.
As one of the most famous schools, (and the most applied to schools) UCLA had to be here at the top. Everyone else applying tells you enough about how great UCLA is; but, it’s not quite the same unless you see for yourself.
Minimalist slab architecture binds with Romanesque Revival to match SoCal’s sunny and hot climate. Additionally, being a Bruin surrounds you with the urban Los Angeles region and gives you the combination of beautiful urban sprawl and old buildings.
Plus, if you want your children to have access to some of the most famous dining hall foods and student dorms, UCLA is the place to send them!
Okay, this is going to be a sidetrack, but you should also consider this: UCLA’s vibrant social life also plays a MASSIVE role in the school’s beauty. I know it sounds silly, right? But, beautiful California college campuses are also made through their overall atmosphere and people. When you’re socializing and meeting great friends in your first 2 years, it brightens the atmosphere.
This is a crucial point to make when deciding which school you REALLY want to attend, and we try to tell all our clients this when helping them make a college list during our free advising sessions.
2. Stanford
I mean, what else is there to say?
It’s a hotspot for startup culture and a great place to make wonderful connections. But, this article isn’t about business-ey stuff. This is primarily focused on beauty. And, Stanford is certainly that.
As one of the most well-designed and structured schools in California, Stanford University is definitely a great place to attend and dedicate the next four years of your academic career. Is it gorgeous? Yup. Is it also brutally competitive?
Also yup! But, better to suffer during finals week with a great view and Silicon Valley atmosphere than anywhere else!
3. UCB
Alright. Let’s be transparent.
There are some parts of Berkeley that are certainly less than safe. Some of those parts include the city of Berkeley itself just right outside of campus grounds. Some graffiti here, and some spooky alleys there. But, that’s just part of city life!
And, if you consider yourself a real city person, you may find Berkeley to be quite a nice spot. Actually, we’re quite city-folk ourselves here at PenningPapers! So, Berkeley was actually a blast!
Not only are you really close to the SF Bay and just a short trip from the beach, but you also get to enjoy UC Berkeley’s wonderful plant life and general flora! The campus is a great mix of modernized architecture with old, and its great trees and plant life make it a nice escape from the concrete city life of Berkeley.
Oh yeah. And, good food too. On our drive back from Berkeley we made a stop by Belmo Cafe. Best decision ever, seriously. We know this is about UCB’s beauty; but, come on: baked Italian donuts with the filling in it? It had to have a special mention.
4. USC
Great trees. Great flora. Great flower placement too.
This is probably going to be a pattern throughout the article.
Great plants = Most beautiful college campuses in California
Alright. Other than plants, plants, and more plants, USC’s red-brick style combined with its Gothic Revival architecture gives it a uniquely “USC-ish” look that looks amazing with its stately old style.
It’s absolutely gorgeous! Just… don’t think too much about the university’s history of its land taking over the local region through brutal gentrification.
Okay, other than the beauty there’s also a very great practicality to USC’s location. Other than being in LA, USC is also very close to the Staple Center where Anime Expo is hosted every year. So, hey: that’s cool, right? You can enjoy Anime Expo and it’s really just a walk away.
But, there’s another thing to this.
A lot of our clients who received our professional college consulting and admissions services actually held an interest in USC’s proximity to Anime Expo. This is because Anime Expo actually serves as a great place for creatives such as freelance digital artists to make a good chunk of their income from selling merch, prints, and books there. So, if you’re a USC applicant and you’re also interested in Anime, you may find the proximity to Anime Expo very useful for monetizing your creative pursuits!
5. Pepperdine
Did you know that the show Zoey 101 was actually set at Pepperdine University?
Well, if you’re reading this as a prospective undergrad, you probably will be too young to know a lot about Zoey 101. But older students who saw the show knew the campus looked very nice! After all, the Princeton Review named it #2 most beautiful in 2014.
But hey: you’re practically less than 5 minutes away from the beach! You’re also just a short drive away from the city life of LA, the beauty of Santa Monica, and the great unknown where you can go camping. Additionally, making friends and socializing here can be quite nice especially if you’re going through their abroad program.
Oh, and be aware. Pepperdine’s has a strict alcohol policy. If you’re not about that life, Pepperdine may not be right for you. Getting caught with alcohol can prevent you from studying abroad.
6. UCI
Other than having a larger campus size, UCI is blessed with both a wonderful community and a gorgeous campus.
And, as mentioned before, you can’t just have wonderful architecture to constitute a beautiful California college campus. It’s about the atmosphere too! And, UCI nails exactly that.
Speaking of architecture… windows.
Windows everywhere.
There’s glass here and glass there. It’s very modern, and frankly, we loved it!
Additionally, Irvine is a gorgeous place. Great restaurants, beautiful scenery, and more. However, one of the things we’ve heard from our clients who were Irvine natives is that Irvine can be a bit “too perfect.” They call this the “Irvine Bubble” and often tell us about how they wish to go to a school outside Irvine to be exposed to what’s out there. For instance, they may want everything from the good and bad and beautiful and ugly that New York has to offer; so, NYU it is!
But hey: maybe you’re a student who’s the opposite. You like the tranquility and balance in all things. So, UCI would be perfect for you!
7. Pomona College
As a small private liberal arts college in Claremont, you get to have all the wonders that Claremont has to offer. And, we’ll be frank. It’s a bit of a small place but also a small distance away from The Village, which is quite pretty in itself!
Despite its smaller size, Pomona College certainly has a wonderful mix of old and new architecture. This stately appearance combined with a modernized look and beautiful floral life make it sweet on the eyes.
If smaller homeley campus sizes with stately appearances are your thing, then hey: you’re in luck!
8. UCSC
It’s Santa Cruz. Should we even need to say any more?
Okay, fine. We’ll still talk about UCSC!
Marijuana jokes aside, UCSC is such a gorgeous campus with absolutely stunning Redwoods and trees (no pun intended.) Oh, and don’t forget about the library. *chef’s kiss*. If you’re looking for a campus where you can study with great views and a wonderful atmosphere, UCSC is certainly going to be at the top. Additionally, the campus is designed with a modern style combined with the fitting Santa Cruz conservation and preservation attitudes.
Don’t forget that UCSC is located in, well, Santa Cruz. So, you get to have the wonderful experience of a suburban life with your education. And, in proper California fashion… beaches.
9. Cal State Long Beach
If you look up Cal State Long Beach on Google, you’ll often find the famous Walter Pyramid plastered all over: a famous sporting complex.
Nature and civilization bind together in a gorgeous unity here, as the urban lifestyle of Long Beach combines with its beautiful trees and green across campus. It certainly gives the space a lot more of a “park” feeling, especially with the emphasis on landscaping rather than just architecture alone. Speaking of architecture, we’re once again met with the glass and brick style that modern designs seem to love so much (and for good reason, it’s gorgeous.)
There always seems to be something special about beach-side campuses combining brick architecture with glass-everything structures. It’s a modern feel that makes students feel a profound sense of awe being on campus.
10. LMU
LMU is a bit of a smaller school with a more quiet environment. Not like super small to the point of being uncomfortable; but, small enough that you’ll certainly come across others you see in classes regularly.
LMU’s location also sets it close to popular LA needs; so, the convenience is great in that regard!
Views-View-wise about as good as it gets. You’ll be overlooking the Marina Del Rey with close proximity to the beach. And, the marriage of old and new buildings gives the campus a wonderfully unique design.
Note though that because the campus is smaller than some of the other bigger party-like schools, you may be missing out on that extroverted and exciting experience. Although connections may be closer and tight-knit here, you may miss out on the wider options available at schools like UCSB.
11. UCSB
UCSB is one of the most beautiful campuses in California. If you’re accepted, you’ll be greeted with some of the best views the Golden State has to offer. This goes with just about any great college in general; but, there’s a lot to do here.
Not only that, but UCSB has a wonderful environment that’s perfect for students who love to work and play hard. It’s not considered one of the best party schools for nothing. Of course, if you prefer a quieter school, UCSB is probably not for you.
The location is just about perfect. Santa Barbara’s laid-back and small-town vibe is perfect for a close-knit and comfy feeling. Though, if you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life, you can take the bus. And, perhaps obvious but still good to mention, you’ll be very close to the beaches at Campus Point, Sands, Manzi, and Devs. Oh yeah, and you’ve got the Storke Tower. It wouldn’t be the quintessential UC experience without a tower, no?
Admittedly, some of the campus could use a bit of maintenance. Things like building and bike lane maintenance could be kept in check to brighten up some parts of the school. But, that’s okay: that’s to be expected of just about any college campus with a large foot traffic. Updates and renovations slow down traffic for everyone, after all!
Note: We’ve actually had a few students describe the environment at UCSB as “fake” and seemingly “too utopian” in that it had a lot of fun but didn’t seem genuine or human. This is, of course, up to everyone’s personal tastes. But, we thought it’d be important for you to consider.
12. UCSD
We had the chance to meet up with a good friend of ours who was on track to becoming a professor at UCSD. So, it was super great!
Overall, UCSD had what you could consider a very wide and expansive feel to it. Although it had the modernist architecture of concrete + glass again, it seemed a much brighter of school in that everything was very white. Since it’s nice and bright here in California, we can see how Summers could get a bit unbearable for the eyes. But, at night, UCSD is certainly gorgeous. The stark white contrast of the campus stands out like a beacon at night, whilst distant lights provide some of the best views at night.
Note though that if you’re living in the living spaces as a graduate student, you may need to live in rather bleak-looking concrete spaces. It’s rather brutalist in appearance; but, this only applies to some of the living spaces.
Much of UCSD is very beautiful. Though, we’d say it could probably use some more shrubbery and foliage. Our bias, we know.
And, of course: beaches. Lots of beaches.
How to Get Accepted Into These Schools.
We didn’t just choose any random pretty California colleges. These schools were chosen because we deemed them also prestigious enough to be worth applying to.
Now, let’s make no mistake. Getting into any of these colleges at all is going to require some elbow grease.
If you want to get accepted into some of the most beautiful college campuses in California, you’ll need to have the academic profile for it. Although there are many moving parts to a strong academic profile, we split it into 4 sections for you.
- Strong GPA
- Strong Test Scores
- Unique Extracurriculars
- Great College Essays
Strong GPA.
Many of the colleges here on this list are from the UC system. And, the average accepted student is often a student whose academic GPA is in the 3.75-4.0 range. This means all academic courses excluding non-academic ones such as Physical Education, Home Economics, etc. don’t count into the GPA equation. Of course, the higher your GPA, the better.
If you don’t have as strong a GPA as most others, don’t fret. It’s entirely possible for you to get accepted into a competitive college without a strong GPA.
Take our UCSD applicant, for instance.
- UC GPA: 3.5
- SAT: 1250/1600
- Major-Related AP Courses: 4
- Major-Unrelated AP Courses: 1
- Awards / Honorable Mentions: none
- Extracurriculars: Fashion Club President
- Accepted UC Schools: UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, and UC San Diego.
Compared to most other UCSD applicants who were accepted, they had a rather slim and basic application profile. There weren’t a lot of competitive clubs, comprehensive AP courses, strong academics, or impressive test scores (not applicable to UC schools). Nonetheless, they were accepted into UCR, UCSC, UCSB, and UCSD: some of the most beautiful college campuses in California!
You can find more of their profile plus the essay they wrote here.
Strong Test Scores on the SAT/ACT if Applicable.
Some schools will not care what your SAT or ACT scores are. For instance, UC schools are test blind. That means no matter what test score you send, it won’t have an impact on your chances of acceptance into any of their schools.
However, that doesn’t negate the importance of your test scores for other campuses.
For instance, according to Stanford’s Common Data Set, test scores are put under the same category of importance as academic GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and other elements. They’re “very important.”
Typically, some schools will put the standardized test scores lower in priority for a myriad of reasons: equity in admissions, new admissions ideologies, etc.
Nonetheless, Stanford and a handful of other California colleges still consider the SAT and ACT very important to the admissions process. So, if you’re not scoring high, you’ll be in some danger. Of course, there are some minute details to admissions you should consider. For instance, Stanford considers your test scores (very important) if and only if they are submitted. They are not, however, required for admissions.
This adds another layer of complexity altogether.
You can also find their test scores profile below.
If you have any other questions about what to do when applying to competitive California colleges and submitting your SATs/ACTs, you may consider speaking with us through a free consultation for advising!
Impressive and Unique Extracurriculars.
If you have impressive and unique extracurriculars, you can significantly increase your chances of success. You’ll likely stand out amongst the rest of the admissions pool, giving admissions officers more reasons to accept you instead of the rest of the admissions pool.
Additionally, you should think about how your extracurriculars align with your interests and how they may funnel you into the available resources at a school.
For instance, let’s say that you have a particular interest in Engineering, but also the business aspects of Engineering. Your STEM background and entrepreneurial temperament may make you a great fit for UC Berkeley, as your experiences align with the available resources, culture, and atmosphere provided by Berkeley Haas.
Now, here’s the thing. You DON’T HAVE TO have unique and interesting extracurriculars to get accepted into a great California college. You don’t even really need to have extracurriculars that align with your particular major.
In fact, a lot of students have a misaligned background that seems to align with one major, and then move on to the next.
This is because students don’t live in a vacuum; they have multiple interests and can switch from Music to Medicine to Engineering and even to English Literature.
Admissions officers know this. They are sympathetic to it; and, as long as you lay out your reasonable thought process in your college essay.
Oh, and speaking of essays… that brings us to the next section.
Compelling Essays That Stand Out.
Perhaps one of the most important elements to the college admissions process that you certainly CANNOT skimp out on is the college essay. And, yes: this applies to colleges outside of California as well.
The college application essays are one of the few elements of admissions that actually empower admissions officers to understand students outside of their numbers, grade letters, and other superficial stats.
In other words, the essay section is unique. It’s one of the best places for you to make the most of a holistic admissions process. And, if you’re good enough with your writing, you may even convince schools outside of your league to accept you regardless of your shortcomings.
This, of course, wouldn’t be possible without the help of a second pair of eyes. And, no. Your aunt Sally who just got a job working as an English teacher in high school is most probably not going to be qualified enough to advise you on your college essays.
If you want to write solid and compelling college essays, you shouldn’t settle.
After all, your admissions officers shouldn’t settle. So, why should you?
Consider looking for a decent and trustworthy college admissions consultant who can analyze your essay in depth. Additionally, your consultant should listen to you and provide alternative ideas for your essay, including brainstorming and looking from new angles.
Here at PenningPapers, we can help you with exactly that. Schedule a free consultation, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to provide free advice on everything from writing compelling essays to analyzing your chances of acceptance. Or, if you’re interested in our paid college consulting and writing services, consider filling out this form here.