Hi! Sorry if this is a stupid question; I do not know where to look for this information. I got admitted to MIT 2023 RD and am super excited because it is my number one choice in everything except for one aspect: it is on the other side of the country relative to my girlfriend.
I am looking for ways to spend time back in California if possible, and was wondering if any research opportunities or labs were located back there.
Thanks 
There’s nothing you can do in CA during the school year. Approximately 21 weeks is the most you can spend away from campus each year. I hope you won’t let your girlfriend be a factor in deciding which school to attend. That’s not a compelling reason, as most adults will tell you.
Nothing regarding MIT to be done back in CA.
The only unrelated thing could be applying for research/internship places for orgs/firms in CA during breaks obviously, and/or begging or taking breaks during the academic cycle if your feel u can handle the break and come back to the work missed, if at all.