National Geographic has ranked the Santa Barbara region as one of the happiest cities in the United States.

Dan Buettner, National Geographic, Gallup and New York Times best-selling author and National Geographic explorer, has announced the 25 Happiest Cities in the United States, based on The National Geographic/Blue Zones Index.

The Index was specifically developed to measure a population’s happiness based on 15 metrics including civic engagement, walkability and healthful food options.

Santa Barbara ranks as No. 12 on the list.

In National Geographic’s November cover story and newly published The Blue Zones of Happiness, Buettner reveals the rest of the world’s happiest places, and explains environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to the overall happiness in these geographic regions.

Buettner, National Geographic and Gallup developed a methodology for measuring where Americans are living their happiest lives.

Eight of the 25 cities recognized are in California.