Although Florida and Hawaii offer beautiful white beaches and a good deal of sunshine, the top five sunniest American cities are located in the western portion of the country. While these locations may not offer beaches and sand, they provide a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, cultural sights and dining and shopping options, all accompanied by a high probability of sunny skies.
Virtually any city in the southern portion of Arizona will guarantee a sunny vacation. The Guinness Book of World Records lists Yuma, Arizona as the Sunniest Place on Earth, where the sun shines for 90 percent of the year. Money Magazine ranked the city as one of the top places to live in the U.S. Yuma is situated in a beautiful desert landscape with mild winter temperatures and a variety of outdoor activities. Water recreation is especially popular, and visitors have convenient access to the Colorado and Gila Rivers. The city is less than four hours from Phoenix and Tucson, two of Arizona's other sunny vacation spots.
USA Today ranks Redding, California the second sunniest American city, with 88 percent sunshine throughout the year. Located in northern California, Redding is home to the famous Sundial Bridge, which crosses the scenic Sacramento River and is open to pedestrians year-round. Redding is surrounded by various scenic outdoor attractions, such as Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and San Francisco is just four hours south.
The sun shines for 85 percent of the year in Las Vegas, Nevada, making it the 3rd sunniest place in the U.S. (tied with Phoenix and Tucson). This exciting city boasts not only exquisite casinos and resorts, but also a temperate climate with lots of sunshine. Las Vegas features a wide range of activities, from vibrant casinos and nightlife to family-oriented attractions such as Adventuredome theme park and nearby Bonnie Springs Old Nevada western town and stables.
