Ranking The Golden State’s Best College Party Scenes, From UCSB To USC
What are the top party schools in California? PubClub.com ranks the Golden State’s best based on student nightlife, college bars, Greek life, traditions, major party events and the overall social scene—along with firsthand experiences at several of these schools. Updated for the 2026-27 college year.
By Kevin Wilkerson, Editor & Publisher, PubClub.com
It’s more than just a 2Pac song – Californians really DO know how to party!
And so do the students at the colleges and universities in the Golden State. Here is PubClub.com’s rankings of the top party schools in California.
How PubClub Ranks California’s Top Party Schools
PubClub doesn’t base these rankings strictly on student surveys. We look at the complete social experience—college bars and nightlife, Greek life, school traditions, major party events, student enthusiasm and whether alumni keep the party going long after graduation. The rankings also include firsthand experiences at several of these schools.
So with that in mind, here are PubClub.com’s top party schools in California.
1.) UCSB
The place has its own beach – is that Californian, or what – and its Halloween parties are legendary throughout the state. This is such a party school that students and alumni are fond of saying that UCSB stands for “U Can Study Buzzed.” It is the unquestioned top party school in California. With Isla Vista right next to campus, the beach nearby and a legendary history of Halloween partying, well, it’s easier to party than to study!
And the others on this list definitely step up to the bar (or the keg) when it comes to partying.
2.) Chico State
Trivia question: what famous sports broadcaster when to Chico State but did not graduate? Answer: ESPN’s Chris Berman. Students and alumni say it’s because this is such a party school that it’s impossible to seriously focus on their studies, so he left. PubClub.com cannot confirm if that’s truth or rumor but the attitude certainly speaks volumes for this being a big-time party school. A girl I call The Blonde went there and if you’ve spent any time around her, that’s enough verification for me as a top party school.
3.) USC
Step on board a party bus to the USC-UCLA game. Video: © PubClub.com
First of all, USC has the Song Girls, a cool band that plays songs by Fleetwood Mac and a bar that was the inspiration for the one in the original Star Wars movie. It also has alumni that keep partying well into their advanced years, which is one key criteria of a school making any PubClub top party schools list. It’s a Trojan tradition as rich as Traveler and keeping the names off the backs of the football uniforms.
4.) San Diego State (SDSU)
How can a college in such a fun town in San Diego not be on this list?? San Diego has perfect weather, beautiful people, tons of craft breweries and a super-causal attitude among its people. Students here are simply party training for their future years.
5.) Cal Poly SLO
Stuck in the middle of the state hundreds of miles from the nearest significant city in an otherwise slow area for nightlife, Cal Poly SLO stands out because, well, there’s little to do there except party. That’s the same reason Chico State and UC Davis are on this list.
6.) UC Davis
How can any school that has a beer class not make PubClub’s list!? Cheers, UC Davis
7.) UC Santa Cruz
These Banana Slugs are no slugs when it comes to partying. There’s a lively bar scene downtown and on campus, as well. I’ve partied with students downtown and they are not “sluggish” when it comes to having fun.
8.) UCLA
The Baby Bears are no mere cubs when it comes to partying. For starters, the dorms are steps to several fun college bars in Westwood. And, like their cross-town rivals, the alumni keep partying long after they have graduated. Some even kick it up a couple of notches when they move to Hermosa Beach.
Kevin Wilkerson is the founder of PubClub.com, an award-winning journalist and nightlife expert who has covered destinations, events and nightlife for more than two decades. He has attended games at schools across the country and covered several colleges while working as a newspaper reporter where he received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism.
Next Stops On The PubClub Colleges Party Bus
• Top Party Schools In The SEC
• Best Cheerleaders, Tailgate Party & College Bands
This blog post is worth the read – trust us!
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Thank you!
No but we do have Top Party Schools for every school in the country!
Wiill there be a part 2?
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We think so too, thanks!
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Positive cases are a concern everywhere, not just at college campuses.