Totally different environments.
SLO is rural and the vast majority of students live on campus or in the surrounding community. Community is small town with mom and pop businesses. Students tend to be more outdoorsy and there are lots of social activities on the weekends. Education is more hands on - “Learn by Doing.”
UCI is urban and very close to an airport. Weekends are very quiet with many students leaving and going home to SD, LA or OC. Surrounding community has large commercial shopping centers. Beach cities of Newport and Laguna are very affluent.