The College Spring Break Destination Series: Panama City Beach

Whether a rite of passage or just an excuse to blow off class and a little pent up steam, college spring break has become as much a part of undergrad life as late nights, exams, and the froyo machine.

If you're currently enjoying your 4 (or sometimes more) years of collegiate bliss, the question isn't if you'll go on a spring break trip; the question is where. Based on the results of a highly scientific poll of our college ambassadors, here's the first of 2016's top 5 spring break destinations.

If there's a true birthplace for the modern spring break, it's Panama City Beach, FL. MTV may have put the once-sleepy city on the map in the 90s, but it was a haven for sunburns and jello shots as long ago as the early 80s. At least one of our employees' parents actually met there on spring break in 1986. While the town has received quite a makeover since it burst onto the national scene, it still boasts that spring break vibe that made it famous.

The Good: Spring breakers flock to PCB (aka the "Redneck Riviera") in massive numbers every year. What makes the Emerald Coast such a great destination? You could chalk it up to the pristine white sand, crystal clear water, and warm Spring sun, but we suspect it has more to do with features like Club La Vela (once the largest beach club in the world), Pineapple Willie's, the Strip, and a once-blind eye when it came to underage...consumption.

The Bad: In recent years, local government and police have cracked down rather hard on the spring break party scene. You won't see MTV or Girls Gone Wild in Panama City anytime soon, and if you're thinking about passing a fake ID or drinking in your room, you better be smarter than the average bear; the Panama City Beach police have been doing this for a long time, and they know you're planning to hide your best stuff in the room safe.

The Schools: So who makes the trip to PCB for their annual week of revelry? Depending on the month, you'll find students from the SEC, ACC, and Big 10 - really, way more big 10 schools than you'd imagine. Michigan is always a big player in Panama City Beach.

The Brands: In addition to your smattering of sport brands, you'll find a lot of Southern Marsh and Lauren James in PCB. A lot. Here are a few of our favorite shots.

Thinking about your trip? Check out Southern Marsh and Lauren James before you go!