As the world’s fifth largest economy, California is at the threshold of emerging economic powers in both Asia and Latin America. Professionally speaking, there is no better place to study business.
Global Business
Many of the world’s Global 1000 companies are located in the Bay Area. California is home to one in every nine Americans. The Golden State leads the U.S. in exports and serves as a crossroads of international business.
As a student here, you’ll meet and interact with a diverse group of business leaders through student groups and alumni activities. Within a day’s drive, you can reach leading financial and consumer companies, technology and biotechnology leaders, cutting-edge venture capital firms, and some of the most innovative philanthropic organizations in the nation. California is also the center of the nation’s wine industry, boasts one of the nation’s largest and richest agricultural areas, and is home to scientific, medical, and research powerhouses.
World-class companies in a wide range of industries, including construction, energy, financial services, retail, and technology, have chosen to locate their headquarters in the Bay Area.
Silicon Valley has earned its reputation for attracting the world’s leading innovators, pioneers in life science, private equity firms, technologists, and venture capitalists.
Climate
Northern California enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Temperatures average 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. Morning fog usually gives way to sunshine during the days, and evenings are crisp and cool.
Recreation and Culture
Northern California is considered one of the most diverse and beautiful places to live.
City of San Francisco
Attractions here include world-class dining, shopping, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco Exploratorium, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, AT&T Park, San Francisco Zoo, Chinatown, North Beach, the city’s famous neighborhoods, and much more.
Marin County
Just north, over the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County features Muir Woods, Mt. Tamalpais, Sausalito, Bolinas Bay, Stinson Beach, and Point Reyes National Seashore.
Wine Country
California’s famous Napa and Sonoma Valleys are an easy drive from campus for weekend wine tasting or access to wine industry leaders. North from San Francisco along the Pacific coast lies Mendocino, noted for its outstanding wines and art.
The East Bay
The Cities of Oakland and Berkeley lie across the Bay from San Francisco, offering renowned ethnic, culinary, and political diversity.
Lake Tahoe
Head east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains to Lake Tahoe for winter skiing and summer sports and cultural events.
Yosemite National Park
Established in 1890, the park is located east of the Bay Area and known for stunning views and spectacular waterfalls, meadows, cliffs, and forests.
San Jose
South of Stanford is San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley. The Tech Museum is located in downtown San Jose, along with the San Jose-Cleveland ballet, and the Compaq arena, home of the San Jose Sharks ice hockey team.
Santa Cruz
Home to surfing, alternative everything, and some of the nation’s most beautiful beaches, Santa Cruz is a fantastic getaway. One of the country’s oldest wooden roller coasters still coasts at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
