If you feel more at ease when lounging on the shore, you’re not imagining it. Science backs up the idea that being by water makes us happier, reduces anxiety and promotes a sense of calm. But can some bodies of water be more happiness-inducing than others? London-based travel agency CV Villas thinks so, and has conducted a study to prove it. Of all the beaches in the U.S., Cannon Beach in Oregon was deemed the happiest.
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Using AWS Facial Recognition software, the company analyzed thousands of Instagram photos tagged at over 100 beaches worldwide to determine which locations produce the most smiles. While Spain’s Sitges Beach claimed the top spot globally, Cannon Beach ranked number one in the U.S., scoring an impressive 89.11 out of 100 on the happiness scale.
Visitors to Cannon Beach probably already know the joyful effects of this oceanfront beauty. Home to the iconic Haystack Rock, this stretch of the Pacific Northwest coastline is a natural masterpiece. Think misty shores, dramatic rock formations and tide pools teeming with marine life. A colony of tufted puffins even nests there annually. Beyond the beach, visitors can explore hiking trails, browse art galleries, and enjoy local seafood and microbreweries in the town’s charming coastal village.
While CV Villas didn't reveal exactly how the tech determined happiness levels, it measured “positive facial expressions” to assign each location a happiness score. And with breathtaking scenery and small-town charm, it’s no wonder Cannon Beach came out on top.