I could’ve worn flip flops today. They would go with my slacks about as well as pickles go with ice cream, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility for a November day in California. My friends in northern Wisconsin could try it, but they’d probably come back with fewer toes than they woke up with. And that is a wonderful thing about living where we do. The weather is just one of the reasons you might consider coming to California for college (and sticking around when you’re done).

If I were to hop in my car and leave my office at PUC right now, I could be at the beach in an hour and a half. Since my boss is able to see this, I’m not going to. However, I could be in San Francisco just as quickly. Or, I could rediscover how bad I am at winter sports after a three hour drive to Tahoe. The point is, you can find just about anything you’re after in California except for Waffle House… And most of us here would consider that a blessing.

Our location also benefits you when it comes time to look for internships and jobs. Being so close to the Bay Area and Silicon Valley gives you the opportunity to work with heavy hitters like Google, Buzzfeed, Airbnb, and Facebook (among others). It’s a fantastic place to build your networks and cultivate some real-world experience, as well as a great way to set up some roots on the west coast if you’re looking to stay.

Oh, did I mention the money stuff? It pays to stay in California thanks to Cal Grant, which can land you over $8,000 dollars if you attend a four-year college in the Golden State. It’s just something to keep in mind when all those out-of-state colleges start fawning over you and your 4.2 GPA in the spring.

So between the places, the people, the weather, the food, and the scholarships, what more are you looking for in a place to spend your college years? You’d be hard-pressed to find a more diverse and vibrant place to live than California. Take it from someone who travels for three months out of the year… There’s no better place to call home.