This week, leading online travel agency FlightHub released its hot lists of the most favored travel destinations in its annual report, Unveiled.
Amid the report’s various listicles, the ‘Top Ten American’ list certainly stood out with some interesting findings—and changes—since last year. As its name suggests, the Top Ten American list ranks the top U.S. destinations for domestic travel based on real bookings. And while any California native knows that nothing comes close to the Golden Coast, you won’t be disappointed in what Unveiled has to say.
Methodology
First things first, let’s dissect how these results were determined. FlightHub’s team of travel experts analyzed its in-house booking data from Q4 2024 and the first half of 2025, along with travel searches and emerging trend signals.
In a press release statement made by Ayoub Hissar, FlightHub’s Director of PR and Marketing Strategy, the executive stated, “By breaking down the data, we see not just the most popular destinations overall, but the deeper motivations and preferences driving those choices. That’s where the real story of travel emerges.”
The City by the Bay
Coming in at 7th place is the long-beloved Northern California city of San Francisco. According to Unveiled, San Francisco returned to the list this year after a steady climb in bookings. FlightHub’s travel experts suspect that travelers are drawn to its layered streets and bright hillside views, where every turn offers something familiar that still feels unexpected.
Whether it’s iconic landmarks like Alcatraz Island—better known as “The Rock”—or the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge, the city offers plenty of postcard-worthy moments. And beyond the views, San Francisco buzzes with activities for every type of traveler, from riding its historic cable cars to wandering through neighborhood art installations like Illuminate SF.
La La Land
Los Angeles also proved its staying power, coming in at 5th place and maintaining the same rank from last year. Unveiled attributes L.A.’s enduring appeal to its “layered personality,” a city that can be both glamorous and laid-back, buzzing with energy yet full of hidden escapes. With endless happenings across its sprawling neighborhoods, visitors never run out of things to do. From laughing the night away at The Laugh Factory, to catching a glimpse of Hollywood stars on the TMZ Celebrity Tour, to lounging along the Pacific coast, the City of Angels continues to deliver on its reputation as a hub of entertainment, culture, and adventure.
California’s double feature in the Unveiled Top Ten shows that the state’s allure extends well beyond its sun-soaked reputation. With San Francisco’s charm rooted in its hills, history, and art, and Los Angeles thriving on its cultural energy and star power, the Golden State has once again proven itself a top-tier destination for travelers. Whether you’re chasing the iconic or the unexpected, California remains a place where the journey is just as rewarding as the destination.