Why should I choose Orange County over San Diego?

I'am currently looking at places to relocate in So Cal. I have narrowed my choices down to OC and San Diego. I found that the OC was pretty auesome, except for the water pollution in HB, the traffic, and some of the shallow and pretentious people that I ran into in places like Newport and Laguna Beach (don't get me wrong, I know that there are also some really cool and down to earth people in the OC as well). In San Diego, there wasn't anything I didn't like (except the extreme crowding on the beach). ALL of the people in SD seem really nice and very laid-back, the water is very clean and there seems to be more to do down there, period. Also, everything is not so crammed together like it is in the OC (SD is very spread out and contains 70 miles of accessible coastline). Anyway, I really like both places, so which one would be the best choice for a single 23-year old guy who is coming out of the military and going to school? Also, which are provides better educational opportunities?