San Jose and San Francisco made it into the Top 25 of the world’s best 100 cities for 2020 as determined by a tourism, real estate and economic development advisory group, Resonance Consultancy.

The company uses specially developed programs that rank cities based on dozens of characteristics and qualities, taking into account things that would appeal to visitors as well as locals. Resonance says it takes a more “holistic approach” in the rankings, using a wide range of factors that include a city’s ability to attract employment, investment and visitors. It also takes into account culinary experiences, museums, sights, landmarks, the number of Global 500 corporations, direct flight connections, the education levels of residents, and mentions each city has on Instagram.

Topping the list of best cities were London, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Moscow, Dubai, Singapore, Barcelona, Los Angeles and Rome.

San Francisco narrowly missed the Top 10, coming in at No. 11, and San Jose joined the list at No. 25.

Other California cities were San Diego at No. 20 and Sacramento at No. 82.

Of San Jose, Resonance said “Talent, smarts and money are a potent mix that’s given San Jose — the largest city in Northern California in terms of area and population — a No. 3 ranking for per capita GDP in the world, behind only Abu Dhabi and Doha.”

The city scored high in the Resonance rankings for number of people with at least a post-secondary education, and ranked No. 2 in quality of universities with Stanford leading the list. Google, Facebook, Cisco Systems, eBay and PayPal made San Jose No. 15 for Global Fortune 500 headquarters and No. 11 for foreign-born population, up from 14th last year.

“While immigration is ever more contentious elsewhere,” researchers noted, “the city continues to draw some of the best and brightest tech talent and entrepreneurs on the planet.”

San Francisco was lauded for embracing seekers since the Gold Rush days, when people from all over the world showed up in the city looking for their chance at the California dream.

“Along the way,” the report notes, “these immigrants have sowed the seeds for the city’s open-minded attitude toward, well, everything. The result is a city that doesn’t just welcome differences, but encourages and celebrates them. No wonder it ranks No. 8 in our People category, including No. 6 for residents with at least a post secondary education.”

Top cities in the United States are Chicago (No. 13), Boston (No. 21), Las Vegas (No. 23), Miami (No. 24), Washington, D.C. (No. 26), Houston (No. 32), Seattle (No. 34), Dallas (No. 38), Austin (No. 40), Orlando (No. 43), Phoenix (No. 49), Denver (No. 52), Atlanta (No. 55), Minneapolis (No. 56), Portland (No. 57), New Orleans (No. 71), Nashville (No. 79), Baltimore (No. 80), Salt Lake City (No. 85), Charlotte (No. 86), St. Louis (No. 90), Tucson (No. 91 ) Raleigh No. 92) San Antonio (No. 93), Columbus (No. 94), Tampa (No. 97) and Pittsburgh (No. 99).