Want to Be Happy? Get Thee to These US Cities

Smiling, relaxed Californians aren't just hype. Three cities in the Golden State are at the top of the list in a new happiness survey, though Boulder, Colo., is the city that experiences the most existential ecstasy. The National Geographic Gallup Special/Blue Zones Index, compiled by National Geographic author Dan Buettner and Gallup social scientists, interviewed residents in 190 metropolitan areas around the US on 15 key metrics that gauge happiness, including vacation time, financial security, and even trips to the dentist. Here, the top 10 cities:

1. Boulder, Colo.
2. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif.
3. Charlottesville, Va.
4. Fort Collins, Colo.
5. San Luis Obispo, Calif.
6. San Jose, Calif.
7. Provo, Utah
8. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.
9. Barnstable Town, Mass.
10. Anchorage, Alaska

Check out the entire list here, or discover which states are happiest. (More happiness stories.)