Is it smart nowadays to go to a community college first and then transfer ?

[Erin_s_Dad]

CC’s in Calif are mostly the domain of kids that want to give education one last shot before quitting

I highly doubt this. The 4 year graduation rate for a transfer student starting in a CCC is remarkably similar to one going directly to a 4 year UC (see page 29 http://ucop.edu/transfer-action-team/transfer-action-team-report-2014.pdf).