2 California cities rank amongst America’s fittest

A pair California cities earned prime spots within the new rating of America’s fittest cities.

The 2026 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Elevance Health Foundation report ranked San Francisco and Irvine amongst its prime 10 healthiest cities within the US.

The report, which regarded on the nation’s 100 largest cities, put San Francisco within the No. 6 spot and Irvine at No. 7 — with the Southern California enclave leaping again into the highest 10 this yr after falling to quantity 12 in 2025.

The two Golden State cities lagged solely behind Arlington,Virginia, Washington DC,  Minneapolis, Seattle, and Denver.

Arlington claimed the crown for the ninth consecutive yr, with Atlanta, Madison, Wisc., and Boston rounding out the highest 10.

The total rankings are primarily based on broad entry to parks and recreation, bodily exercise charges and insurance policies that help lively existence, amongst different components.

“Where you live increasingly determines how healthy you are,” mentioned Stella Volpe, previous president of the ACSM and chair of the Fitness Index Advisory Board.

“The healthiest cities don’t just encourage exercise — they make movement part of daily life through infrastructure, transportation and community design.”

The prime 10 cities reported “significantly lower obesity rates than lower-ranked cities — often by more than 10 percentage points,” in accordance with the rating. The cities additionally had larger charges of strolling, biking and use of public transportation.

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“The cities that consistently rank at the top aren’t succeeding because of one program or one investment. They’ve built systems that support healthier living over time,” Volpe mentioned.

“They are the ones creating environments where physical activity can easily become a part of everyday routines.”

Cities rating low within the report had larger charges of diabetes, weight problems, and heart problems.

A complete of 35 indicators have been used for every metropolis, evaluating issues like folks’s well being, environmental situations and group infrastructure.

Environmental issues positioned a number of Southern California locales within the rating for cities with the fewest good air high quality days. They included Long Beach, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego and Chula Vista.

“In cities with fewer days of good air quality, residents, particularly those with asthma and other respiratory conditions, face additional barriers to outdoor physical activity,” the report said.

Shantanu Agrawal, MD, Chief Health Officer at Elevance Health, mentioned its health index provides communities very important data wanted to indicate the place enhancements could be made to enhance the general well being of the town.

“Our longstanding support of the Fitness Index and the insights it provides for communities reflects our commitment to bettering whole health nationwide,” Agrawal mentioned.