If You Want To Be Happy, Go SLO!

One of the things most people want in life, I think, is to be happy.  I bet health, wealth, and a life fulfilled are up there too.  Well wouldn't you know it that I grew up in the happiest place on earth?!  No, I'm not talking about Disneyland.  I'm talking about San Luis Obispo, California.  Okay, so it's not the happiest place on earth, but supposedly it is the happiest place in America.  I'll settle for that because unless you've traveled across the globe, how would you ever know?

According to Dan Buettner in the National Geographic book Thrive, San Luis Obispo is the happiest place in America for overall emotional health.  He says that "the residents here are more likely to smile and experience joy and less likely to experience pain and depression."  Of course beautiful scenery, beaches, hiking trails, a historic downtown, and other landmarks only add to the serenity. That must be why I'm so calm, laid back, flexible, and easygoing!  (That's a joke)  But I can say that growing up there was a gorgeous gift that has perhaps allowed me to carry that 'calmness' from the 'happiest' to the 'hottest' place in America.  What can I say, I'm extreme like that!

You know your town has made it big when Oprah visits.  This was actually her second visit.  On her first visit she introduced the world to the best sandwich in America, made in SLO, at some sandwich shop now out of business.  On this trip she sent Jenny McCarthy to further elate the residents.  Check it out -

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Happiest-City-in-America-San-Luis-Obispo-Video

All the places Jenny covered in the video are our haunts too.  Here is Spenser at the Mission -

and Sienna and Spenser at Mission Creek,

you can't forget Gum Alley!

So don't worry, be happy, and get to SLO as fast as you can!