What are the top community colleges in California?

I'm considering starting at a community college before transferring to a four-year university to save money, and I've heard some community colleges in California are really good. Does anyone have a list of the top community colleges in California? I'm looking for ones that have strong transfer programs to UC schools or other universities.

Absolutely, California has several remarkable community colleges with strong transfer programs which have had numerous students go on to very prestigious universities like the UC schools.

Here are some to consider:

1. De Anza College: Known for its strong transfer rates, De Anza College is located in Cupertino and is often ranked amongst the top community colleges in the state.

2. Pasadena City College: Another key player in the transfer game, PCC is recognized for its successful transferring of students to the UC and California State University systems.

3. Santa Monica College: This is the leading community college in California for transfers to the University of California system, including campuses like UCLA and UC Berkeley.

4. Diablo Valley College: Another strong community college, Diablo Valley has a strong reputation for transferring students into UC Berkeley and other top UC Schools.

5. Orange Coast College: Located in Costa Mesa, OCC provides a strong academic foundation to facilitate transitioning to a four-year institution.

6. City College of San Francisco: Though located in a pricey city, CCSF provides students a solid education before transferring to four-year universities.

7. Foothill College: Located just outside Palo Alto, Foothill is another popular community college with strong transfer programs.

Apart from these, there are many more reliable community colleges spread across the state. Consider proximity to home, campus culture, quality of education, and most importantly, the success rates of transfer to four-year institutions when making your decision.