A 21st you might remember

 by Melissa Matyas
 published on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

For many college students, turning 21 is the most important birthday of their lives. Alcohol plays a major role in welcoming the illustrious birthday, but scenery and company make the memories — or what's left of them — so much better. Avoid the obvious spots like Mill, Old Town and Vegas. Instead, choose a celebration destination that fits your needs and promises an unforgettable birthday.

Big Spender

• Take a cruise to a tropical destination. Leave from cities like Miami and Los Angeles, which guarantee hot spots to party before or after the cruise. Carnival Cruise lines are known to host younger crowds and have cheaper fairs. Psychology junior Lauren Jackson went on a cruise with her best friend to celebrate her birthday. "It was 10 days of drinking and lying in the sun," she says. "It was the best way I could've spent my birthday!"
  
  
• Visit wine country in Northern California. Take tours of all the wineries, learn about the vino, get drunk along the way and become a know-it-all wine snob. "I went to wine country and it was a blast," criminal justice senior Travis Pagain says. "Getting drunk off sips of wine is amazing!"
  
  
• Spend the weekend with a friend at the W Hotel in San Francisco. The trendy hotel is popping up in major cities. The city offers something for everyone, from Haight-Ashbury to the fat seals lounging on barges. Don't forget about some of the best shopping around and the five pounds you'll lose from climbing the hills.

• Take a few friends, or a busload, and road trip to San Diego. Find a hotel along Pacific Beach and spend your celebration at the shore. PB bars are known for offering a good time, so check out Sinbad's for good hookah and a kick-ass chicken sandwich.
  
  
• Rocky Point. You make bad decisions in that city for spring break, so why not do it twice in one year and go for your birthday extravaganza?

• Attend a concert. Make sure everyone, including the band, knows it's your birthday. Free drinks and birthday wishes are always better from strangers and famous people.
  
  
• Go to a pro sports event. It will be the best $10 beer you've ever had.