Which one should I go to if I am interested in Mechanical Engineering?
Also, which one has a better college experience, and which one is more prestigious.
Both are great schools. Do finances play a part? Tuition is cheaper at Cal Poly.
Do you want a degree that prepares you for industry? Then either school (although I don’t know which is considered better for your major).
Do you want a degree that prepares you for research and getting a PhD? UCSB
They are both located in great towns. I would prefer SLO for my own student, Isla Vista does not seem safe. That’s just a mom’s opinion - my son loves visiting his friends who attend UCSB because of the fun atmosphere and parties.
They both technically equal but in the last few years there seems to be some problems at UCSB. Just last night on the evening news there was another shooting and 3 people died.
No one died. The injuries are not life threatening.
In another thread you wrote
As a CA resident and taxpayer, please talk your parents into sending you to CA and bring your $100K in OOS tuition to UCSB. Won’t help you any over the engineering education you can get in-state for much less, but will definitely help us!
If I can play a part in persuading 10 kids do this I will have helped raise $1million for the UC system 
Please let me know I can count on you to help.