<p>One possibility that's often overlooked by non-locals: Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. Even though it's not on the water, SLO was rated as one of the 10 best surf towns in the US by Surfer magazine in 2002:
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SLO sits 15 miles inland. But what this railroad and farming burg-turned-college-community of 43,000 lacks in beach proximity it makes up for in affordable living, bustling nightlife and a vibrant surf culture cut from the reef and beachbresks at Pismo Pier, Morro Bay and mysterious Big Sur. While the coast is often mired in fog, San Luis glistens in the bright sun with inspiring views of Maddona Mountain and Bishop's Peak, making it the perfect place to thaw out after a session.
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Cal Poly is part of the California State University system, not the UC system, but it is comparable in prestige and selectivity to most of the UC schools. I question whether the phrase "affordable living" still applies to SLO, but I don't doubt that it's still a fun place for college.</p>