Fun is inherently a subjective idea.
But in a recent report, WalletHub set out to quantify what makes a state fun, ranking all 50 states based on a number of entertainment and recreation metrics.
And Californians are in luck: The Golden State took the top spot.
“Living in one of the most fun states can boost your mental, physical and emotional health by giving you a wide range of activities to choose from, both indoor and outdoor," Chip Lupo, an analyst with WalletHub, said in a news release. "These states help residents stay active and socialize, and they’re also ideal for travelers who want to make the most out of the limited amount of time that they have to explore.”
Here's what to know about WalletHub's report, including where California ranked
and how other states fared.
Why California ranked as the most fun state
With an overall score of 67.35 out of 100, California ranked as the most fun state in 2026, WalletHub's report found.
The state boasts "an especially large number of restaurants, amusement parks, movie theaters, and fitness centers per capita," WalletHub said, adding that it also has the second-most attractions per capita across the 50 states.
When the company was looking at the Golden State's nightlife, it found it had a large number of performing-arts establishments and music festivals per capita.
California also had the ninth-best access to bars.
"And even though California is one of the most expensive states for beer, it’s the least expensive for wine – likely due to the abundance produced locally," WalletHub said.
Then, for outdoors, the state has the most scenic byways per capita.
"It also has the best beach access in the country and the fourth-best weather (at least, when it’s not too hot to go out)," WalletHub said.
The most fun states, per report
Here are the most fun states, along with their overall scores, per WalletHub's report.
- No. 1: California (67.35)
- No. 2: Florida (64.14)
- No. 3: Illinois (59.87)
- No. 4: Nevada (58.76)
- No. 5: New York (58.40)
- No. 6: Colorado (56.15)
- No. 7: Washington (55.75)
- No. 8: Texas (53.67)
- No. 9: Minnesota (49.48)
- No. 10: Arizona (48.01)
The least fun states, according to report
Here are the least fun states, along with their overall scores, according to WalletHub's report.
- No. 50: West Virginia (20.57)
- No. 49: Mississippi (21.62)
- No. 48: Vermont (23.97)
- No. 47: Arkansas (24.00)
- No. 46: Delaware (24.57)
- No. 45: Rhode Island (24.79)
- No. 44: Connecticut (26.67)
- No. 43: New Hampshire (27.33)
- No. 42: Alabama (28.13)
- No. 41: Maine (28.87)
WalletHub's methodology
To determine the most fun states, WalletHub said it compared the 50 states across two categories — entertainment and recreation and nightlife — using 26 metrics.
For entertainment and recreation, the company examined factors such as the number of attractions, the variety of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments, restaurants per capita, amusement parks per capita, golf courses and country clubs per capita, and movie theaters per capita. The analysis also considered beach quality and access to national parks.
To assess nightlife, WalletHub evaluated factors including average beer and wine prices, movie ticket costs, nightlife options per capita, access to bars, last-call times, music festivals per capita, casinos per capita and performing arts theaters per capita.
Each of the metrics was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing "the greatest number and variety of fun and cost-effective options," WalletHub said. From there, the company determined each state's weighted average across the metrics to derive an overall score that was used in its rankings.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: WalletHub names California as America's most fun state. Here's why
