<p>Humboldt State University is also an option, up in the REAL northern CA. I live up there and absolutely love the town. I’ve attended the University on and off in high school and afterwards with some mixed results. The sciences are great and hard! I had a math teacher for a few semesters that was the greatest teacher I ever had (And I attended Swarthmore for a time).
Arcata is a great town, but small. Afterall, its a college town. </p>
<p>I am attending the University of Oregon this spring, so I would also consider that. Eugene is great. Not sure about the school yet as I am just starting.</p>