So I am taking a year off from school and then going somewhere else, after this semester. I need to go somewhere where I can actually ride, Chicago just isn't doing it for me. It would be great to be able to ride year round. I am looking at going to school in California somewhere. I know there are tons of great riding spots, but I wondered if anyone on here could recommend an area with great riding and good schools around. Preferably not in LA. Also I am a photographer, and photo major so I will be looking for a school with a photo program. Thanks for any advice or thoughts.
California Colleges
- Thread starter DsDhBxracer13
- Start date
Definitely not Cal Poly SLO. The photo program is really hard to get into, and the riding will not be fun for you at all. I'm trying to take some photo classes, and I can't get any as an English major, you have to be an Art major. Once you get into the major, there are very fews classes offered in photography. I've had many a friend drop out/reconsider their major after suffering through our horrible photo depertment. Go check out SJSU or UCSC for a good photo program. Way better for what you are into. I'd say UCSC is the best for what you're looking for. Plus you'll like the riding way more.
Great riding go to UC Santa Barbara.
Brooks in Ventura...the riding in Ventura is so-so....but you can get to all the good stuff with a short drive.
UCSC is in Santa Cruz with some good riding spots around. I'm not sure about their photo program, but I think they have an established motion picture program. The campus is huge though, the lower campus has all the buildings and upper campus is all open space, with a bunch of sweet DH trails. And there are good DJ spots in Aptos.
ucsb, ucsc, or ucsd, i think sd would be the best bet, awesome school with tons of riding about 10 minutes away. plus the people there are better than those in sb 
If your porftolio is strong enough look into CalArts. It is in valenica, which is suburbuan hell, but that happens to be where hi-torque and some other publishers are located, so there is the potential for killer internships that involve free bikeparts and taking pictures of pro DH/moto riders. There is good enough riding in the hills around there. I'd look for a place in Ventura
santa cruz(ucsc). my faverite ridings all around there. theres a bus that runs fromk the bottom of the trails to the top, and theres some good photo omps over there. theres also carlmont about and hr drive from there. then u got da lavaga and post office.
-kyle
-kyle
Brooks photoraphy school is in Santa Barbara, the film school is in VenturaZutroy said:
Seriously... riding is out the back door of the school (i.e. closer than when in SB) and is just as good as anywhere. The scene, at least when I was there 2 years ago, is growing SO fast. Some of the riders for near-by Santa Margarita are building crazy trails all over the ridge. Dirt jumps (TORKER, which is crazy) are relatively close, and the riding up on Cuesta Ridge is bad-a$$. How many school-towns in CA have a trail like Face? The team is huge, and there are always people to ride with.marlopez said:
Now if your argument is primarily with the photo prgm, then I understand.
guys thanks very much for the info. Yes the photo program is very important, where ever I go there has to be a decent photo program. I am looking to go out on the West Coast because I want to be able to ride a lot. I am also looking at school in vancouver, but the whole thing getting a job and such in a different country is real difficult. It would be nice to not have to deal with winter anymore coming from Vermont. I will research what you guys have said and if you have any other ideas in the surrounding warmer areas tell me. i.e. Arizona, Utah, etc.
L
Lightninleana
Guest
Does anyone know what the Cal Poly business program is like... I'm looking to go to school somewhere warm next fall.
the business program at cal poly is huuuuuuge. the guy that started kinko's and the people that started jamba juice all went here and started those companies as senior projects. the guy that started kinko's donates millions and built a huge business building.
Brooks is supposed to be pretty good and S.B. is a great town, other than the cost and all the rich fools.I know sanjay said: