25 Beautiful West Coast Campuses You Have to See to Believe

18. University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) – Santa Cruz, CA

Imagine attending college inside a redwood forest. UCSC offers a truly unique campus experience, built amongst towering groves overlooking Monterey Bay. Its distinctive colleges are scattered across rolling hills, connected by scenic footbridges spanning deep ravines and winding paths shaded by ancient trees. The architecture often embraces its natural setting, with buildings designed to minimize environmental impact and blend into the forest. While navigating the expansive, hilly terrain requires effort, the reward is unparalleled immersion in nature, stunning ocean vistas, and a campus environment unlike any other in the country.