Do you know that almost 800,000 travelers voted this year to pick the best places to visit in the USA? And three cities from the same pa...
Do you know that almost 800,000 travelers voted this year to pick the best places to visit in the USA? And three cities from the same part of California ended up on the list. This comes from the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards by Condé Nast Traveler, and I went through the results carefully, so let me tell you what I found. The sources are listed near the end.
Which Bay Area Cities Made the Best Places to Visit in the USA List?
Here's the short version. San Francisco came in second among the big cities. Oakland came in sixth. And a small wine country town called Healdsburg took the eighth spot among the small cities.
Chicago stayed at number one for the big cities. Santa Barbara, on the California coast, was fifth on the small city list. Only two California cities made that small city list, so it was a pretty good year for the state.
2026 Readers' Choice Awards City Rankings
| City | Group | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Big Cities | 1 |
| San Francisco | Big Cities | 2 |
| Oakland | Big Cities | 6 |
| Santa Barbara | Small Cities | 5 |
| Healdsburg | Small Cities | 8 |
Why Is Everyone Talking About Healdsburg?
Healdsburg sits in Sonoma County wine country, and not long ago people called it a sleepy little town. Now it's known as a food and wine hotspot. Do you know what I like most? Even after new fancy restaurants and hotels showed up, it still feels relaxed and easy.
The readers said it has a breezy vibe, which is perfect for a slow wine country weekend. The downtown is walkable, and the old plaza is full of galleries, shops, restaurants and wine tasting rooms. You'll also see pretty old homes, from restored Queen Anne houses to California farmhouses.
A city spokesperson said the town is lucky to have world-class wine and food growers, and that it has kept its friendly small-town feel since it was founded in the 1850s. If you want an easy weekend trip, this one is worth knowing about.
Why Does San Francisco Keep Winning Second Place?
This is the second year in a row that San Francisco got the number two spot. You already know the big names, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. But here's the thing, there's more to it than that.
The redwood trees at Muir Woods are close by, in Marin County. You can spend a full day at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or walk around the Mission District and look at the street art. The readers also said the city has some of the best restaurants and bars in the world, and a hotel for just about every kind of traveler.
What's the Story with Oakland?
Now this part really got my attention. Last year Oakland was on the small city list, where it came in seventh. This year it moved up to the big city list and took sixth place. That's a nice jump to see.
The readers talked about its history and its art and culture. From the 1940s to the 1970s, many Black Americans moved to Oakland from the South to get away from Jim Crow laws, and that history is still a big part of the city today. They also pointed out the weather. Oakland is on the sunnier side of the bay, so it gets all four seasons without getting too extreme.
Mayor Barbara Lee said the credit goes to the people of Oakland, and she especially thanked the younger generation for changing the story people tell about the city. The head of the city's tourism group said it all started with a campaign calling Oakland the best food city in America, and that the food is great because the city is so diverse.
Which Famous People Had Something to Say About Oakland?
To celebrate, the city shared a video with some well-known fans. Stephen Curry, who began his NBA career there, said it's all because of the people. Sheila E. said Oakland has everything, from the community to the culture. Kehlani, another Grammy winner from Oakland, said you should check it out yourself because she thinks you'll love it too.
The video also had Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu, actor Mahershala Ali, basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton and hip-hop artist Too Short.
Where Does All This Information Come From?
I always want you to know this is real data and not just my opinion. Here is where it all comes from.
- The rankings: They come from the 39th annual Readers' Choice Awards by Condé Nast Traveler, voted on by almost 800,000 readers in 2026.
- The news report: The details about the Bay Area cities, the quotes and the Oakland video were reported by KTVU FOX 2 in a story by Sharon Song, published on October 8, 2026.
- The people quoted: The statements came from Ray Holley of the city of Healdsburg, Mayor Barbara Lee, and Peter Gamez, the president and CEO of Visit Oakland. The celebrity video was shared on Visit Oakland's Instagram.
If you want to check any of it, search for those names and you'll find the originals.
What Should You Take From All This?
I'll be honest, I think the biggest lesson is that small places can stand next to the big names. A quiet wine town and a food-loving city across the bay are right there with San Francisco on a list voted by real travelers.
If you're planning to explore the USA, a list like this is a good way to find new ideas, because it comes from so many people and not just one opinion.
If you've got questions about any of these cities, just drop a comment. I'm Devendra Singh, this has been US Travel Spots, thanks for reading.
No comments