The Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe are a little over three hours to the east. I have lived in many parts of the United States, including Florida and Hawaii. Personally, I can't imagine living anywhere else. Close to perfect. Frost is rare, and never during the day.
Summers are dry with warm days and cool nights.
Generally, it is much warmer and dryer than San Francisco, but cooler than Southern California. Lets talk about Santa Clara's law school. By law school standards, Santa Clara is mid-sized. We have an entering class of 220 to 230 full time and 60 to 70 part time students. Thus we have a total student body of about 850.