California State University--Monterey Bay

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Hallmarks and Quirks

Marine sciences. Not to brag or anything, but...I am the maritime hub.
Visual and public arts. When you come visit my campus, check out my fresh mural. Ooh la la.
Music and performing arts. Believe it or not, I have my own gospel choir, Glory Hallelujah.

Rain boots and an umbrella. Monterey don't play when it comes to rain and fog.
A kinesiology class. I'm one of the few schools who offers classes/certification in scuba diving, wilderness experience, Adventure Club, kayaking, sailing, and so much more. It will be a tragedy if you pass up my goodies.
A car. I've been known to be something of a commuter school.
A surfboard, kayak, skim board, snorkel and mask, and a wetsuit....basically anything you own for water activities. Monterey Bay is some of the cleanest and clearest water you'll find throughout the entire state. I take my ocean and the critters that live in it very seriously.
A pair of binoculars. Are you prepared to see more whales in one sitting than you have in your entire life? Well, then head down to any beach on the Monterey coast and expect to see some spectacular and absolute jaw-dropping sights. Or you can head to Fisherman's Wharf for a bonafide whale tour.

Sustainability. I'm one of the first schools to have received a gold STARS rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
I'm the school right next to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Lots of my marine science students volunteer there.
Or maybe not...I'm brand spanking new. Just as young as the students who attend me, in fact—2015 marks my 21st birthday.

I'm probably downtown, on or around Alvarado Street. Now, to be clear, Monterey is no San Francisco. I'm in a fairly small town with a steady crowd of locals, students, and tourists. Don't get me wrong, though—you can always find yourself a nice bar or pub to drink the night away with your buddies and end up with some classic memories the next morning.
I might also be on East Campus. You can always expect at least a few parties going on around the neighborhood. It's a great location to stop in, check out a party, and if you're not into it, simply walk on to the next.
On the other hand, I am right next to the beach and my location is quite bonfire- and dog-friendly. Grab your homies, some munchies, wood logs, your token guitar friend, and, of course, a few tasty beverages.

Fort Ord Dunes States Beach. It's only two miles away, which makes it a perfect place to mosey on over to between or after classes—whether you want to meet up with your friends or simply watch the sunset.
The Black Box Cabaret. This is where poetry slams, musical events, and art shows are held. Students can go to express themselves and grab a bite to eat all in one trip.
Cannery Row or Fisherman's Wharf. This is also known as the tourist hub. There's a scenic biking/walking trail at the end of Alvarado Street that links all kinds of amazing seafood, historical landmarks, seaside attractions, and the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Big Sur. When the weather is perfect and the night is clear, I like to cruise down here and watch the sky for a few hours. On a good night, you might even catch a couple of shooting stars.

The Abandoned Barracks. I'm located on an abandoned military base, after all. Most of the buildings remain standing but are completely barren. These structures ooze creepiness and mystery, and although it's absolutely not permitted, I've heard rumors of students exploring these old vessels for fun. You may even end up channeling some spirits...I mean, if you're into that sort of stuff.
Speaking of military bases, my grounds were previously home to legends like Clark Gable, Jimmy Hendrix, and Clint Eastwood when they were stationed here. I only use five percent of the former Fort Ord, which sits on 1,350 acres.
Some of our classes are not located on me. I've had to move certain classes to the Monterey College of Law. This can obviously be an inconvenience for some, but the MCL is only located a few miles away.

I'm the only CSU that requires you to graduate fluent in a second language. So if you didn't take a language at your junior college or high school, get ready to make lots of vocabulary flashcards.

Like I said, I'm brand spankin' new. Ask me this question in twenty years and I'm sure I'll have a fairly impressive list.