all depends on what your looking for. bigger classes but less hands on = UC; smaller classes, more hands on, but limited options as well as curriculum = CSU.
went to UC for undergrad
now at CSU for masters
it all depends on what your looking for. if you need someone to hold your hand then i'd go for CSU. if your looking for the college experience, social life, drinking, meeting lots of young people, where YOU are ultimately responsible for your actions then UC is the way to go. at the UC level, i find profs care less at what students do, they're busy with research and grad students proc the classes 90% of the time. so if you fail, they can care less. while at CSU, i'm in charge of the classes i TA down the the curriculum and grading.
it's pretty different from each other. funny thing is, there's so many post bach students nowadays that go to CSU that are alums of the UC system. most, like me, are eventually going to prof school (heading to dental school next year) and just trying to get an edge on the grad apps.
in the end, it's what you make of it and if your able to take advantage of connections and opportunities presented. granted, UC system has a wider network, but that doesn't say CSU isn't well connected either.
btw, we have lots of post baccs cause we figured if you can go to a state school and still get into prof school, why pay UC tuition fees when CSU fees are 1/4 of the price. anywho, PM if you want more info.
*minor edit for grammer and spelling, sorry studying for pathophysio midterm =( *