This Is One of the Sunniest Cities in the U.S. With 211 Days of Sunshine a Year

There’s nothing quite like basking in the sun on a glorious, care-free vacation day. However, if you’re like the average American, you only get about two full weeks off a year. That means you really need to use those days wisely.

Luckily, a new study is highlighting exactly where you should go on a domestic getaway filled with plenty of sunshine. In early June, Niche.com released its findings on the eight sunniest cities in the U.S., as part of its overall Best Places to Live in America list.

To help people find the sunniest places for a trip, or to call their forever home, the team compared the annual average number of clear days in each city via data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It added that “eligible cities must also qualify for our Best Cities in America ranking,” ensuring they are all-around top choices.

After doing all that digging, it found that Phoenix had the highest number of sunny days in the U.S.

“Phoenix, known as ‘The Valley of the Sun,’ earns its nickname with an impressive 211 sunny days each year, making it the sunniest city in the United States,” the findings shared. As for what makes it a special place, the site pulled one of its resident reviews, which explained, “Phoenix is a dynamic, growing city that offers a mix of urban and suburban living. The weather is sunny nearly year-round, which is great for outdoor activities in spring, fall, and winter, though summers are intensely hot.”

Joining Phoenix at the top of the list is another western desert destination, Las Vegas. According to the findings, the No. 2 location sees 210 days of sun a year, giving you plenty of chances to work on your tan. 

Clocking in at No. 3 is Fresno, California, which sees an impressive 194 days of sun a year. In reviews, “residents describe Fresno as having the convenience of a city with a small town feel,” Niche.com, making it ultra charming. 

Rounding out the top five are El Paso, Texas, at No. 4, with 193 days of sun per year, and Tucson, Arizona, at No. 5, also with 193 days of sun per year. However, Tucson ranked slightly lower due to its overall Niche grade of B+, which is slightly lower than El Paso’s A- grade.

The rest of the list is made up of predictably sunny California destinations, which you can check out at niche.com.