10 Charming California Small Towns To Visit For Your Next West Coast Adventure

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.

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

“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 Dr. Longmire-Avital.

Here are the top 20 happiest U.S. cities, many of which score high on the nature and family-friendly aspect. Ready for a new start or planning local travel this season? Check them out!

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 hub for the tech industry, including Tesla's Fremont Factory. The city 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. It also has the lowest share of adults who report having mentally unhealthy days, so people in the city seem to be doing the self care needed to keep themselves happy.

Overland Park, KS

Overland Park, KS, has earned its spot as the second-happiest city in the U.S., thanks to several key factors that contribute to its residents' well-being. With the lowest poverty rate in the nation at just 4.2 percent and an impressively low unemployment rate of 3 percent, it's clear that financial stability plays a huge role in their happiness. The city also boasts one of the lowest food insecurity rates, meaning more families have what they need to thrive. Residents of Overland Park also 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. People in Overland Park tend to get more sleep than those in most other cities, a crucial factor for maintaining a positive mindset.

San Jose, CA

Not far from Fremont is the third-happiest city: San Jose, CA, in the heart of Silicon Valley and home to tech giants like Adobe and eBay. 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.

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 local food, music, and art scene. It's also a great place to live, work, and explore.

Irvine, CA

Irvine, California 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.

Honolulu, HI

This tropical paradise and state capital, located on the island of Oahu, is famous for its stunning beaches, including the iconic Waikiki Beach, and its rich cultural heritage. Honolulu offers world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment alongside scenic landscapes like Diamond Head and lush rainforests. Home to landmarks like Iolani Palace and the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Honolulu is known for its warm aloha spirit.

San Francisco, CA

Hop on a cable car ride in San Francisco, the #7 happiest city on the list. It's year-round mild climate and stunning hilltop views remind us just how stunning this city is. From the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field, and Presidio Tunnel Tops to bustling Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, Valencia Street in the Mission, and Hayes St. in Hayes Valley, there's tons to explore from a world-class food scene to indie shopping to museums and coastal views.

Pearl City, HI

Pearl City is a charming suburban community located on the island of Oahu, just west of Honolulu. The nearby Pearl Harbor National Memorial and surrounding waters with scenic views hold both historical significance and recreational activities like boating. The city itself has a peaceful close-knit community and is family-friendly with excellent schools, parks, and shopping centers.

Columbia, MD

Located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Columbia is known for its diverse neighborhoods, excellent schools, and many green spaces with parks, lakes, and over 90 miles of walking and biking trails. Columbia’s town center features shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including the Merriweather Post Pavilion, a renowned concert venue. With a strong sense of community, access to major cities, and a focus on sustainability, Columbia is not surprisingly in the top 10 happiest cities in the U.S.

Scottsdale, AZ

Stunning desert landscapes, including hiking trails at Camelback Mountain and McDowell Sonoran Preserve, make Scottsdale a destination for nature lovers. Rounding out the top 10 happiest cities, Scottsdale is famous for its wellness resorts, golf courses, and thriving arts scene, including galleries, museums, and events like the Scottsdale ArtWalk. With a growing economy, delicious dining options, and a warm, sunny climate, Scottsdale is a popular destination for tourists and locals looking for a southwestern lifestyle.

Here are the remaining top 20 happiest cities.

11. Sioux Falls, SD

12. Huntington Beach, CA

13. Minneapolis, MN

14. Garden Grove, CA

15. San Diego, CA

16. Fargo, ND

17. Portland, ME

18. Seattle, WA

19. Lincoln, NE

20. Bismark, ND

Did your city make the cut? Check out the full list of Happiest Cities in America in 2024 at WalletHub.

1. There are endless outdoor opportunities.

Bryce Canyon country offers all kinds of opportunities for outdoor adventure: hiking, camping, canyoneering, ATV touring, horseback riding, and more.

Hit some stunning viewpoints and experience the wild rock formations through a hike in Bryce Canyon (Queen’s Garden and Mossy Cave are two great beginner-friendly options), go off the beaten path and catch some serious scenery with with Grand Staircase ATV Tours, or dare to go deep into the region’s slot canyons, guided by the playful experts at Excursions of Escalante.

If you’re not one for hiking, nearby Scenic Byway 12 offers a 122-mile stretch worth of views to soak up without ever having to get out of your car (though, if you ask me, being immersed in it is so much better).

No matter your appetite for adventure, there’s always something to get up to!

2. The natural beauty will leave you stunned.

Being in Bryce Canyon literally feels like you’re on another planet. As a native Texan-turned-Colorado girl, I was constantly gawking at the towering hoodoos, striated sandstone surfaces, and intense blue skies that I simply don’t see at home.

Every feature there is so vast, reminding you just how small of a piece you are in the world’s grand puzzle. I felt humbled in the most satisfying way possible.

My late August visit landed in the middle of southern Utah’s monsoon season, so I also got to witness rich bands of fog and torrential mid-day downpours – both equally as beautiful as the clear weather. Rainbows almost always rolled in after each rainfall, capturing every onlooker’s attention and encouraging an undeniable sense of calm.

3. The area has a really rich history.

Bryce Canyon has seen many indigenous cultures throughout history, from Fremont, Anasazi, Pueblo, and Paiute. Tribes relied heavily on the region’s bounties as early as 1200 A.D., using native plants and animals to survive and thrive. It’s important to acknowledge that Bryce Canyon country’s indigenous roots are still undeniably present today.

The area’s founding is most commonly accredited to Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon pioneer for whom Bryce Canyon was nicknamed around 1874. It officially became a national park in 1928.

Zooming out by 75 million years or so, dinosaurs roamed the surrounding Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Sixteen new species of dinosaurs have been discovered in the area since 1999 in addition to hundreds of animal and plant fossils mapped in Bryce Canyon itself.

Whether you seek out the canyon’s history for yourself or gather fun facts from the locals, you’ll surely learn a lot on your travels here!

4. There are plenty of places to stay, whatever your vibe is.

From glamping to camping, there’s a nice range of options when it comes to finding accommodations in Bryce Canyon country. My top recommendations?

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon sits about 15 miles southeast (~20 minute drive) from Bryce Canyon in Cannonville, Utah. Nestled in a mellow canyon, Clear Sky’s unique windowed domes (suitable for couples or groups up to 8 people) offer unparalleled views of the stars while supplying modern comforts like air conditioning, showers, and wifi.

There’s even an on-site restaurant and bar with such friendly staff members that really make the stay memorable. Coming back to your fully outfitted dome after a day-long adventure will be extremely satisfying!

Ofland Escalante is located in Escalante, Utah, about 46.5 miles (~1 hour drive) from Bryce Canyon. This polished accommodation surely taps into the heart of glamping, but still feels quite grounded in the surrounding nature. Ofland is fitted with a pool, a hot tub, a food truck, a lobby stocked with grab-and-go snacks and drinks, and a playful drive-in movie theater.

There’s also an epic outdoor lodge to enjoy – sit around the fire pit while you sip a local brew, play a few hands of Uno, or cozy up with a book. You can book a deluxe or tiny cabin, a decked-out Airstream trailer, or set up at your very own campsite here. There are also custom-designed accessible cabins that boast extra floor space and ADA compliant details for a super cozy stay!

If you’re looking to camp in Bryce Canyon National Park, you can certainly pitch your tent inside the park’s North and Sunset campgrounds. The Sunset campground is closed in the winter, and both locations are first come, first served, so it can be a little chaotic to land even a single-night stay.

To avoid the frantic search for a campground inside the park, you can opt for locations outside of it, like Red Canyon Campground in Dixie National Forest (about 6 miles from Bryce Canyon) or campgrounds in Kodakchrome State Park (about 15 miles from Bryce Canyon), which still provide wonderful scenery and a comfortable place to lay your head.

5. The food is scrumptious.

Fear not, outdoorsy foodies. Bryce Canyon country has quite a few spots to get your grub on between adventures! Sink your teeth into a hefty BBQ sandwich at i.d.k. Barbecue (Tropic, UT) or grab an insanely tasty slice at family-owned The Pizza Place (Tropic).

Down a local beer alongside your very American dinner at 4th West Pub (Escalante, UT) or sip on some ethically-sourced caffeine with your choice of Southwestern fare from Kiva Koffeehouse’s rotating menu (Escalante).

The food is grand, but the drinks are worth mentioning, too. Despite Utah’s unusual liquor laws, there are numerous breweries and distilleries creating delectable beers, IPAs, ciders, gins, whiskies, and more. Uinta, Kiitos, and Wasatch are the big names when it comes to breweries, but Utah’s distilleries are more concentrated near Salt Lake City, so you’ll find the source of stronger spirits there.

More Must-Knows

• Best time to visit: For the best (and warmest) weather, the summer months of June through August are ideal to visit Bryce Canyon, though the park tends to see more crowds during that time. Spring and fall (April-May and September-October) may be chillier in terms of temperature, but you’ll likely catch spring blooms or fall foliage, depending on when you decide to visit. Plus, the crowds die down in these shoulder seasons. The winter months are colder than cold and bring on unpredictable weather, though the show lays out good grounds for skiing and snowshoeing, if that’s your jam.
• How to get there: If you’re aiming to fly to get to Bryce Canyon country, your best bet is to route to either Salt Lake City or Las Vegas. From either location, the drive to Bryce Canyon is about 4 hours, offering exceptional sights as you go.
• Cost for the park: You can enter Bryce Canyon with a standard pass, annual pass, or America the Beautiful pass. A standard park pass costs $20-$35, an annual park pass costs $70, and an America the Beautiful pass costs $80. You can learn more about what pass is right for your visit here!
• Trip essentials: Having sturdy hiking boots, high-quality socks (I love my Smartwoolpairs), SPF, warm layers for chilly nights, and a hydration pack (this insulated one from Brümate is so worth it) on-hand proved to be the most helpful items I packed for my adventure to Bryce Canyon. Prepare to pack comfy clothes and toiletries, plus snacks and camping items if you plan to pitch a tent.

For more information about Bryce Canyon Country, visit brycecanyoncountry.com.

​Every Show Needs A Villain — Enter Whitney Leavitt

While Taylor dealt with the fallout of the soft swinger scandal, Whitney Leavitt was dealing with her own scandal. She led the #MomTok group to believe she relocated to Hawaii when the scandal broke to get away from the noise, but Whitney shared that was a cover up, and the real reason her family relocated was because the rumors of her husband having a Tinder account (for their entire marriage) were true. So she basically admitted Taylor was her scapegoat to get out of town.

And while Whitney was hoping for the girls to rally around her during this truth bomb about her marriage, she felt her announcement was overshadowed by Taylor’s miscarriage news (who became pregnant shortly after), ultimately driving Whitney to not attend Taylor’s baby shower. All of a sudden, Whitney doesn't want to be involved with Taylor, and claims her and Taylor only have an online relationship instead of a real one… Umm I’m sorry what? This was the start of Whitney paving her way as the show's villain.

Fast forward to a girls trip for Mayci Neeley’s birthday, Whitney felt the group’s friendships haven’t been authentic. “Let’s be honest,” she told Mayci, “have we all ever been genuine, real friends? Or has there always been an agenda? Has there always been some sort of transaction needed?” Tell me if I’m wrong, but Whitney hasn’t been a true friend if she feels a transaction is needed and feels like some of these friendships don’t exist IRL, but I digress.

After the girls trip, Whitney thought it would be in her best interest to unfollow the women on social media and abruptly leave the group chat, but later expresses how nobody called and asked why she left...Unfollowing your friends and leaving the group chat feels so high school and attention seeking IMO. At this point of the show, I was questioning what I was watching, but I couldn’t turn it off.

In the series finale, Whitney made the not-so-shocking decision to not attend her best friend Mayci’s launch party, claiming she “wasn’t in the space and needed some time from the group.” Hasn’t Macyi always had Whitney’s back through everything, and now she’s not going to show up for her? Aren’t one of the #Momtok’s core values to support each other and have one another's back? Whitney I need answers!!

​The Soda Obsession

Let’s move on to another revelation in the show that I can’t stop thinking about. So you may or may not have caught that in every episode, the women mention their love of soda or have a giant soda in hand. My immediate thought was "what is up with this soda obsession?" Well, Mormons do not drink alcohol or hot beverages, as they have been told by God “Hot drinks are not for the body or belly.” Therefore Mormons like to indulge and treat themselves to a soda. Which is why in Utah, you’ll find Soda shops on almost every corner.

For these women, nothing brings them more joy than a soda. And no they aren’t slamming back a Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper. They’re drinking dirty sodas, which consist of a classic soda mixed with syrups or creams.

As shown in the show, Demi Engemann has a very specific Swig order which consists of sparkling water, sugar free coconut syrup, sugar free vanilla syrup, sugar free raspberry syrup, sugar free pineapple syrup and coconut cream.

I am desperate to try her drink. Does Swig ship? Or can someone please open a location in Miami?

​The Cereal Brand Heard Around The Country

During episode 3, we found out Demi Engemann confided in Whitney Leavitt during a girls trip about some intimate details regarding her sex life with husband Bret Engemann. Well, Whitney shared those details with other women in the group and the series producers. Whitney told producers, “What can I say? The fruity cereal has to do with taste,” in an interview during the episode, while smirking about it like a true villain.

Fast forward to later in the episode during Demi's Galentine’s Day celebration, Whitney thought it would be a funny prank to gift Demi a box of Fruity Pebbles and have her open the gift in front of the group (and the cameras), making this intimate detail of Demi’s marriage more public. But the prank of course, does not go the way Whitney had planned because Demi is not happy. I am so curious to know what Whitney thought Demi’s reaction would be?

And if Demi did send out texts about the intention of the evening, that was a low blow on Whitney’s end to gift her a box of Fruity Pebbles onscreen. And honestly, it's a bit hypocritical coming from Whitney, who's been preaching she wants to create a safe space with #Momtok. It’s a little sus.

​What Happened in Vegas?

One of the more dramatic moments of the series happens in Vegas…of all places! The group celebrates Layla’s birthday in a very non-traditional Mormon way, at Chippendales. It's revealed Jen Affleck’s husband Zac Affleck (yes — related to Ben Affleck — first cousins once removed) has a controlling and misogynistic ick to him when he questions her character and threatens to divorce Jen if she goes to the Chippendales show. Which 1) she knew nothing about, considering the show was a surprise and 2) she didn’t even stay to see the show!

In a very authentic display of friendship and sisterhood, the women really rally around Jen, voicing their concerns, and ultimately their disgust, for her husband. (This man even talked badly about her friends and their marriages, woof.) We don’t often see acts like this on reality TV. This felt very real and raw, and we must protect Jen at all costs.

The series ended with a few unanswered questions, #1 being will #MomTok survive this? And with this show being one of Hulu’s most-watched unscripted shows, we’re waiting patiently for Hulu to announce a second season.