Studying chemistry at a liberal arts/psychology focused school?

Berkeley would be the better choice from a strictly academic standpoint, but it sounds like the 2 hour commute and high cost will not make it worthwhile for you. You should probably stay at Sonoma State. Just because the school is "liberal arts" does NOT mean that its science programs are sub-par in any way. Usually, the school will offer both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees; you would be in the latter category. While having the Berkeley name on your degree would certainly make you attractive to potential employers and grad schools, going to a more "average" state university will NOT doom you to a meager existence. There's nothing wrong with your local state school at all, so I think it's totally fine that you're going there after community college.