From Hawaii to Puerto Vallarta, there are multitudes of sought after vacation spots, all of their original zeal drained out by millions of passersby. For those of us tired of the gentrified, commercially driven spots our parents try to drag us to, here is a list of little known, fun filled locales to visit this

Louisville, Kentucky: Any hardcore Future Farmers of America member would be able to preach the virtue of this beautiful Southern city; a center of American history, it is also home to a thriving indie music scene, museums, and world renowned horse races. “Louisville is home to beautiful ranches, wonderful pie, and even its own castle.” said senior Amber Bjerre. Although it may not be tropical, Louisville is fun for families and young adults alike.

St. Louis, Missouri: Missouri has never had a great reputation; however, St. Louis, the gateway to the west, is perhaps one of the most incredible cities in the Midwest. From the famous arch to lesser known spots, like Gus’s Pretzels and the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis is a beautiful city, filled with old architecture and new spots at every corner. “St. Louis has a lot of cool little stores to go shopping in that aren’t in California, and it has tons of interesting restaurants and things,” said junior Hayley Halls.

Eureka, California: For a location closer to home, look no further than the seat of Humboldt County. Located in a county known for sprawling green forestry and wild elk, Eureka seems to feature many different aspects of a beautiful location. Featuring beautiful Victorian buildings, Humboldt Bay, and the Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka is both close to home, and a welcome break from the monotony of San Luis Obispo.

Solvang, California: Although this is, admittedly, a spot crawling with tourists, it is often overlooked by San Luis Obispo natives. The moment one steps into this Dutch inspired town, a sense of whimsy takes over; from freshly made pastries to handmade cuckoo clocks, Solvang is home to various commodities that inspire nostalgia and  use up the abundance of time we often face in summer.

Mazatlán, Mexico: When considering going out of the country for the summer, many immediately think of Mexico; however, they often fail to venture outside the realms of well known, American dominated tourist spots, like Cabo San Lucas and Cancun. Mazatlan, however, is a beautiful seaside city, with hotel prices being significantly less than other Mexican hotspots. “As far as Mexico goes, the most enjoyable places are often the ones Americans don’t known about,” said senior Gabriela Pinzon.