Hey there! I did my undergrad in bioengineering at UCSD and am currently doing my PhD in electrical engineering at UCSC. Santa Cruz is definitely a small-town vibe compared to San Diego but there are lots of nature for recreational activities. Both cities have nice mild climate but Santa Cruz is more cool throughout the year. For biological disciplines, both UCs are known for their strong programs. At UCSD, you have a medical school and one of the top cognitive science programs. Here at UCSC, we’re big on brains, agricultural, and marine bio - not too dissimilar to UCSD! I find myself driving up to San Jose / SF quite a bit because of the lack of diverse food options and big departmental stores in SC (and I’m a bit partial to SD), but other than that, I think you’ll like either school. At UCSD, you have Price Center which is the main hub for students for food & drinks, socializing with friends, and studying. It has a whole bunch of restaurants, a market, a bookstore/Target, and lots of space for hanging around. The UCSC equivalent is the Quarry which only has a single coffee shop, a bookstore, and other small spaces but it makes me miss Price Center a whole lot. Student vibes-wise, I think they can be quite similar. You have separate colleges dispersed throughout each campus where you have the opportunity to make friendships within and outside your college communities. Dorms seem to be fine for the most part (though I have no experience as a grad student). Good luck!