Best Spring Break 2015 Destinations Near Los Angeles For College Students

Spring break is a college tradition like no other, especially excellent when you pick a destination where the partying never stops. That said, Los Angeles is just a drive away from a slew of places happy to accommodate these often decadent ways. So where will you go this year? Check out the following five choices, all of which promise to please beyond expectations.

Palm Springs
Palm Springs Visitors Center
2901 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA, 92262
(760) 778-8418
www.visitpalmspring.com

What can be more inviting than Hollywood's desert playground where spring break is as much a tradition as are movie stars who must flee the fray that is Los Angeles? This iconic outpost promises ideal weather, a lot of pool action and some great places to hike and relate on a deeper level when partying starts to get tired, at least for the time being. Meanwhile, staying at the sensational and very playful Saguaro hotel is the best way to ensure you'll be privy to all that's happening among the college crowd at this free and easy time of the year. Other great hotels include the Colony Palms Hotel, and for those looking to party, The Ace Hotel.

Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
425 15th St.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 545-5313
www.manhattanbeachchamber.com

Once you get to this seaside city just South of Los Angeles, you'll want to dig your toes into the glorious sand at this Southern California mainstay that has been a Mecca for spring breakers for decades. Located south of Dockweiler State Beach and north of Hermosa Beach, you can expect lots of live music (after all, this is where the Beach Boys hung out to croon before becoming famous), some hot and heavy volleyball games (beach volleyball was born here) and a slew of bars to keep you entertained. The affordable Sea View Inn at the Beach is ideal for the college crowd that regularly gathers during this dynamic time of the year.

Santa Barbara
500 E. Montecito St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 906-9222
www.santabarbaraca.com

This storied outpost is so pretty that it's known as the American Riviera. That should give you some insight as to why spring breakers flock to this Nirvana during their time off from studying. Anything and everything but hitting the books will go down in this swell destination about 1.5 hours north of Los Angeles. Best bets include checking out the Pacific by taking a plunge, hitting up the sand for some quiet time and stopping by the well-stocked wine bars and distilleries thriving in this favorite place to visit in the Golden State. The Funk Zone is also a must, a Santa Barbara sub-culture "where history becomes hip." Make sure to hit the shops in Downtown on State Street as well.

Related: Best Travel Agents in Los Angeles

Sin City says it all to spring breakers looking to cause a little trouble or at least have a lot of fun trying. In fact, nothing about Las Vegas is off limits to the college crowd that lives to party just about anywhere, from celebrity-studded nightclubs to bountiful buffets that give you a chance to fuel up for even more revelry. Remember, a whole bunch of attractions that go way beyond gambling abound in this ultra entertaining destination only four hours away from the city of LA. Where should you stay? The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is always a great place, although it is off the Strip. For hotels on the Strip, try the Venetian/Palazzo, Cosmopolitan or the Encore.

Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureau
3066 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-5255
www.visitinglaketahoe.com

Gambling (for those lucky students who have hit 21 years old) is great in this laid-back location that just recently welcomed a new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at the end of January 2015 on the Nevada side of the state line. That said, there's no doubt that spring break will be a party at this particular outpost. Beyond that, take part in a lot of fun activities, from skiing and boating to biking and bar and club hopping to spring skiing in this sensational destination that rules the stunning Sierra Nevadas.

Related: Best Long Weekend Trips for College Students