What's up, California scholars? From SDSU to UCLA to Cal Berkeley to Stanford, we're all in this together. And in a state that's as expensive as ours, we gotta use every resource we have. 
Living here is incredible—beaches, mountains, national parks, tech hubs—but it all costs money. I'm trying to put together a list for 2026 that goes beyond the usual "10% off at the campus bookstore." Let's talk about real savings that let us actually enjoy this beautiful state and survive our classes.
My contributions:
Living here is incredible—beaches, mountains, national parks, tech hubs—but it all costs money. I'm trying to put together a list for 2026 that goes beyond the usual "10% off at the campus bookstore." Let's talk about real savings that let us actually enjoy this beautiful state and survive our classes.
My contributions:
- Apple Education Pricing: If you're buying a new MacBook or iPad for school, this is a no-brainer. The discount is decent, but the real kicker is the free AirPods or Apple gift card they usually throw in during the back-to-school season. It's free money.
- SoCal / NorCal National Parks Pass: If you're an outdoors person, this is a must. An "America the Beautiful" annual pass is usually $80, but if you're a current student with a federal work-study program or are in a specific volunteer program, you can get it for free! Even at full price, it pays for itself after 3 park visits.
- LA Metro / BART / MTS: Don't sleep on student transit passes. Most universities in CA have a deal where your student ID doubles as a transit pass, or you can get a semester pass for a fraction of the monthly cost. It's way cheaper than paying for parking or gas.
- Local Surf & Skate Shops: In beach cities like Santa Cruz, San Diego, and Huntington Beach, a ton of the local shops offer a 10-15% discount to college students. Just ask!