<p>Trypster did his/her homework, whoop whoop!
Everything you wrote is dead on and a good path to take. At UH, Californians qualify for in-state tuition and graduate with the lowest debt. I think SFSU for what this person wants would be their best bet if want to stay in California and fine with living in SF. Its dreary and boring around SFSU if wanted to experience the city. Get a bike or car and reside up 19th towards the Inner Sunset/Cole/Ashbury/Twin Peaks districts and just commute to school. CIIS is a great school but too pricey for what it is for my tastes.
I’d also choose UBC over UCB from the information and interests presented. If was interested in study abroad then I’d go to UCSB which is the main ISA campus and has lots of SA connect colleges. You could spend one of the years in Australia or NZ plus our winter is their summer.</p>