New ranking places California metros on world’s happiest places list — but they’re nowhere near the top

It’s not exactly California Dreamin’. San Francisco and Los Angeles have been named among the world’s 20 happiest destinations — but both Golden State metropolises squeezed onto the list perilously close to the bottom. The City by the Bay took 17th place with a 67.5 “Happy Place” score, while LA limped in at No. 19 with a score of 61.9, according to a new ranking from Irish travel insurance company JustCover. An aerial view of Bahia Akumal beach is seen on Dec. 29, 2020, in Tulum, Quintana Roo state, Mexico. AFP via Getty Images An aerial view shows downtown San Francisco, California, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. AFP via Getty Images A view of the Los Angeles cityscape, including a suburb and the Financial District. Getty Images The humbling showing left the home state of Disneyland — famousl