Winter Break has come and gone, and I don't know about you, but I already have #springbreak2k15 on my mind! With that being said, now's as good as time as any to start planning for the week of a lifetime. I know the traditional Spring Break trip here at Auburn is to head to one of the beaches along the Gulf Coast … but have you ever visited the West Coast (Best Coast)? Coming from a "Westerner," here are some new and exciting places to visit for the best Spring Break yet!

Such a fun city to explore! Lots of culture, phenomenal shopping, and great food. Be sure to catch a cable car ride, take a ferry to Alcatraz prison, score some stylish new clothes at Union Square, see the crooked street (Lombard Street), Fisherman's Wharf (get a bread bowl!), visit the Golden Gate Bridge (you can walk it or bike it too!), or get a feel for the 60's in Haight-Ashbury. And don't forget to visit the Walt Disney Family Museum, catch a concert (How about Dan + Shay on 3/23 at The Regency Ballroom or maybe Echosmith and The Colourist on 3/25 also at The Regency Ballroom?), and relax at Golden Gate Park … there's so much to do and explore in this quirky and artsy city.

How about a SKI BREAK? "Breck" is known for amazing snow, which is measured in feet, not inches! Fly into Denver or Colorado Springs (maybe spend a day or two exploring either city, both are great!), rent a car and make the beautiful mountainous drive to Breckenridge. The ski resorts are perfect for snow enthusiasts of all levels, with trails that are 11% beginner, 31% intermediate, 24% advanced, and 34% expert, according to ski.com. Not to mention, the Ski & Ride school is top-notch. Also, the town of Breckenridge itself is quaint, but still has great shopping. Main Street reminds me of Downtown Auburn, actually. The North Face, Patagonia, and Columbia all have company stores here, so grab a backpack and fleece pullover to take back to Auburn for those chilly nights! I loved Breckenridge, and know you will too!

How about visiting a different beach? The Pacific Coast is absolutely gorgeous this time of year, and sunny southern California is always a treat. Spend a few days in Disneyland — "The Happiest Place on Earth." If you think you've seen everything Disney has to offer because you've been to Disney World, you're wrong! California Adventure is completely unique, plus there are rides at the original park, such as The Matterhorn and Indiana Jones, that you can't find in Florida. 

My family vacations each year in Newport Beach; we love it! I highly recommend beachin' it at Crystal Cove State Park —the best undiscovered beach in the county! Don't forget to shop at Fashion Island. (Brandy Melville, Vineyard Vines and a Cheesecake Factory in the same mall? Sold.) Also eat at The Crab Cooker (it's our family tradition), brave the line for brunch at Haute Cakes (orange ricotta "haute cakes"= family fighting for the last bite), make a trip out to Balboa Island for fun boutiques and frozen bananas at Dad's in the afternoon, and rent a Duffy boat for the day in Newport Bay. Visit The OC!

AKA home sweet home! I was born and raised in Henderson (a few freeway exits away), and I'm a certified Las Vegas tour guide, so listen up, y'all! If you're 21, your options expand immensely. (21 is the age to get into the clubs on The Strip, unlike when you're 19 in Auburn … 21 is also when you're old enough to gamble!) I'm not of age yet, so I haven't been into any of the clubs, but there are some seriously famous DJs and EDM artists who have residencies in town like Avicii, Calvin Harris, Tiesto, Steve Aoki … the list goes on! At 21, you can gamble, so start saving some "throwaway cash" now to try your hand at the slots or even card games. Don't try to get away with counting cards like in 21 though! Even if you're not 21, there are some amazing things to do in my hometown, I mean, it is called The Entertainment Capital of The World! See one of the awe-inspiring Cirque du Soleil shows or one of our Broadway imports (Jersey Boys or Rock of Ages). **insider tip: go here to print out a coupon, and then to one of their booths on The Strip for some seriously discounted tickets!** Also there's phenomenal shopping at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian/Palazzo, and The Fashion Show Mall. Browse over the amazing designers (we're talking $1,800 t-shirts here) at Crystals at City Center. Don't miss attractions such as The Eiffel Tower at the Paris, the fountains at The Bellagio, and the volcano at the Mirage (also the Secret Gardens and Dolphin Habitat there too). And last but not least, don't forget to check out the view from above at our brand new, world's tallest observation wheel, The High Roller at The LINQ!  

I hope you have so much fun planning your new Spring Break trip! Best wishes for a great semester. xo