We’ve always known America’s Finest City is hard to beat when it comes to good and sunny vibes. Now, we have the data to prove it. A new global study by Holafly just dropped – and San Diego has officially been ranked as the 3rd most welcoming city in the United States.
San Diego is one of America’s most welcoming city
To figure out which destinations stand out, researchers analyzed 200 of the world’s most-visited and populated cities. They looked beyond basic friendliness, grading cities on concrete metrics like safety, social support, visa openness, and how easy it is to access tourist assistance.
So, how did San Diego get the bronze medal?
For starters, we crushed it in the safety department. Out of all the U.S. cities analyzed, San Diego got the highest overall safety score at 60.4. That means whether visitors are hitting Pacific Beach, exploring the world-famous San Diego Zoo, or grabbing late-night tacos, they can feel secure while taking in the sights.
On top of that, the study found that people are constantly turning to the internet to confirm our good nature. There are nearly 30,000 average searches for terms like “friendly” and “welcoming” paired with our city’s name.
Who else made the top?
Nationally, we were only edged out by New York City at nr. 2, and Boston, which took the top spot. On a global scale, Singapore took home the ultimate crown as the world’s most welcoming destination, followed by London and Sydney.
Still, 3rd place nationwide is a massive win! It’s a testament to the chill and inclusive culture that we build (and sustain) every single day. The next time you’re giving a tourist directions, give yourself a pat on the back – you’re a big part of what makes San Diego world-class!
You can find the full study here.