The Happiest Cities in the U.S. To Top Your Summer Travel List

10. Huntington Beach, CA

For many, the beach is the ultimate happy place — and it doesn’t get more classic beach town than Huntington Beach, California. Nicknamed Surf City USA, this coastal town delivers everything you’d expect from a classic California beach getaway: ocean views from nearly every angle, a diverse food scene, and that easygoing vibe that makes it part of the culture to relax and unwind. Stay at the The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, with a spa and rooftop lounge. Book a surf lesson with Clint Carroll Surf School or grab hotel bikes and cruise along the scenic Huntington Beach Bike Trail. Grab a bite at the stylish Jolie Rooftop for Mediterranean dishes and craft cocktails with a view, or head to Duke’s Huntington Beach at the base of the pier for Hawaiian-inspired seafood classics in a breezy, beachfront setting.

9. San Francisco

I live in Sonoma now, just an hour away from my favorite city, but I still love sneaking away for the occasional staycation in San Francisco. Recently, I spent the best 24 hours there, starting with a stay at the gorgeous 1 Hotel San Francisco along the Embarcadero. The view of the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge from our room was spectacular. This biophilic, sustainably designed hotel delivers an elevated, cozy decor (with a rooftop spa) in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city. It's a hidden gem away from the touristy hotel district.

After checking in, my boyfriend and I strolled across the street to the Ferry Building for a scoop of Humphry Slocombe ice cream and a browse through the colorful and design-forward Fog City Flea Trading Post. Later, we dined at the hotel’s Terrene restaurant, where ingredients — and even cocktails — are inspired by the rooftop chef’s garden.

We devoured the Za'atar Fries, Marinated Steak Skewers with Mint Chimichurri, Cucumber Salad, and a delicious hummus dip. I sipped a Gold Country cocktail made with Botanist gin, Mancino vermouth, and Champagne reduction — so refreshing! We capped off dinner with a divine Olive Oil Cake topped with cardamom icing and seasonal fruit.

After dinner, we hopped on a classic streetcar to Martuni’s, my favorite piano bar, before catching a self-driving Waymo back to the hotel — where a sweet box of chocolates awaited us in our hotel room. The next morning, I ran along the scenic Embarcadero, then the hotel’s driver whisked us to Glide Memorial Church — an uplifting, must-do experience even if you’re not usually the churchgoing type. We wrapped up the trip with lunch at Zuni Café, feasting on their legendary roast chicken and bread salad (insider tip: expect to wait an hour, but the fries and cocktails are well worth it!).

8. Scottsdale, AZ

Stunning desert landscapes, including hiking trails at Camelback Mountain and McDowell Sonoran Preserve, make Scottsdale a destination for nature lovers. Scottsdale is famous for its wellness resorts like Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, golf courses, and thriving arts scene, including galleries, museums, and events like the Scottsdale ArtWalk. With a thriving economy, vibrant dining scene, and year-round sunshine, Scottsdale is a magnet for tourists and locals alike, offering a perfect blend of southwestern charm and a modern escape.

7. Madison, WI

Nestled between lakes Mendota and Monona, Madison offers stunning waterfront views, beautiful parks, and a ton of Midwestern charm. The University of Wisconsin-Madison brings in some of its youthful energy while the city boasts a strong farm-to-table dining scene, local craft breweries, and famous cheese curds. The city’s many parks, scenic bike trails, and walkable neighborhoods make it easy to explore too.

6. Lincoln, NE

Lincoln, Nebraska offers a refreshing mix of Midwest hospitality, culture, and outdoor adventure. Nebraska’s capital city is home to attractions like the Sheldon Museum of Art and the live performances at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Its historic Haymarket District is a lively hub of shops, breweries, and restaurants set against charming brick streets. Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring over 130 miles of scenic trails perfect for biking and walking, while the Sunken Gardens provides a beautiful, peaceful retreat. The city also has a strong sense of community spirit that you'll sense at the city's farmers' markets, local festivals, and college football weekends at the University of Nebraska.

5. Overland Park, KS

With the lowest poverty rate in the nation and an impressively low unemployment, it's clear that financial stability plays a huge role in the happiness of Overland Park. Residents of Overland Park enjoy a lot of leisure time each week, which many spend participating in sports — one of the top ways to stay emotionally and physically healthy. Overland Park boasts a rich cultural scene, including the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, and a variety of dining and shopping options.

4. Sioux Falls, SD

Friendly, welcoming, and easy to explore, Sioux Falls is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, culture, and small-city charm. At the heart of the city is Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River cascades over beautiful rock formations — a must-see, especially at sunset. Downtown Sioux Falls is vibrant and walkable, filled with local boutiques, art galleries, breweries, and an impressive sculpture walk featuring works from artists around the country. Nature lovers will appreciate the city’s extensive bike trails, winding through scenic parks and along the river. Those with or without kids can enjoy attractions like the Butterfly House & Aquarium and the Great Plains Zoo.

3. Irvine, CA

Irvine in sunny Orange County is known for its family-friendly vibe, excellent schools, and thriving economy. Home to the University of California, Irvine, the city offers a mix of culture and nature with great parks, bike paths, nearby beaches and the Irvine Spectrum Center, a popular shopping and entertainment destination. Families will love the Pretend City Children’s Museum. Plus, its central location means you’re just a short drive from Orange County beaches, Disneyland, and other Southern California hotspots.

2. San Jose, CA

In the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose has a diverse food scene, art galleries, and beautiful outdoor spaces, including nearby hiking trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which you can enjoy year-round. The city has the longest average life expectancy in the country. It also has one of the lowest separation and divorce rates and scores the best on the health and wellness company Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index, which measures how much residents like where they live, feel safe and have pride in their community. It also scores extremely well on Sharecare’s Life-Satisfaction Index, which measures people’s health risks based on various physical, financial and social factors.

1. Fremont, CA

According to the WalletHub report, Fremont, CA, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the happiest city in America, and one reason why is income: the city has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at nearly 80 percent. Studies have shown that increasing your income also increases your happiness up to $75,000 (but not beyond). With a rich history tied to the California Gold Rush, Fremont has evolved into a tech hub and it offers excellent schools, a wide range of cultural experiences, and outdoor spaces like Mission Peak. People in Fremont also have a high rate of life satisfaction, a low depression rate, and a long lifespan on average.

In order to determine the happiest cities in America, WalletHub compared 182 of the largest cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities — across three key areas:

• Emotional & Physical Well-Being
• Income & Employment
• Community & Environment

WalletHub first compared the 50 states across 30 key indicators of happiness, with a date set that ranged from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate. Hawaii has the lowest share of adult depression, which is 2.3 times lower than in Tennessee, the state with the highest. New Jersey has the fewest suicides (per 100,000 residents), which is 3.7 times fewer than in Montana, the state with the most. Utah has the highest volunteer rate, which is 2.6 times higher than in Florida, the state where the rate is the lowest. Volunteerism is another way people find purpose and joy in life.

Here are the remaining 20 happiest cities.

11. Bismarck, ND

12. Omaha, NE

13. Seattle, WA

14. Charleston, SC

15. San Diego, CA

16. Columbia, MD

17. Plano, TX

18,. Honolulu, HI

19. South Burlington, VT

20. Garden Grove, CA

“When individuals have a high sense of community...well-being increases, and stress, anxiety, and depression decrease. Neighborhoods with high walkability scores that are also safe and near things like parks or trails help sustain our physical and mental health, which are key factors in determining happiness," adds Longmire-Avital.

Find the full report on WalletHub.