California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (must see)

California Polytechnic State University, commonly known as Cal Poly or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, is a prestigious public university. Established in 1901, it is the oldest of the three polytechnic universities in the California State University system.

The university is renowned for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education, offering 65 bachelor's and 39 master's degree programs across six colleges. The university's commitment to small class sizes allows for personalized attention and a collaborative learning environment. Students benefit from engaging faculty members who are dedicated to their success and are often experts in their respective fields.

Cal Poly is an active member of the Big West Conference and competes in various sports as part of its athletic program. The university's athletic teams, known as the Mustangs, participate in intercollegiate competitions, fostering school spirit and providing opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities.

One notable aspect of Cal Poly is its expansive campus. Spanning an impressive 9,178 acres, it is one of the largest college campuses in the United States. This vast land includes the main campus, two adjacent agricultural lands, and two properties in Santa Cruz County. Among these properties is the Swanton Pacific Ranch, a 3,200-acre ranch located in Santa Cruz County, outside the town of Davenport.

The ranch serves as a valuable resource for educational and research opportunities, particularly for the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. It encompasses rangeland, livestock, and forestry operations, aligning with Cal Poly's "Learn by Doing" teaching philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on learning experiences. The ranch focuses on sustainable management of agricultural practices and offers students a mix of laboratory experiments and practical applications.