The UCs are rather a lot of work to apply to if it’s not where you want to go (four additional essays).
But with the statewide UC guarantee for California students who are in the top 9 percent statewide, that guarantee can provide a nice “safety”. Note that this only applies if there is room available, but my understanding is that a top 9 percent student who applies to at least one UC and who doesn’t get in to any where they applied will be offered a spot at UC Merced.