<p>you like SD, you dislike the proximity of Cal to where you live. This makes it easy; go to SD!</p>
<p>As for the prestige factor, what are these people saying? That kids from UCSD, a highly rated UC campus, can’t find jobs? A diploma and $4 will get you a cup of coffee these days. Waving your Cal diploma isn’t going to do any magic for you. Employers are going to look at your grades & what you did in college (internships, research, etc) when evaluating you. </p>
<p>However have you actually been to UCSD? You should visit and see if it is right for you; it is quite different from Cal in appearance and setting. The social life, as has been pointed out, is different because students live scattered over the SD area rather than concentrated near the school.</p>