The 13 Best Day Trips from Anaheim
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 13 good day trips from Anaheim, United States, led by Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Oxnard. The closest is Huntington Beach, about 30 min by car, and 4 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 13 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Anaheim
- 1
Los Angeles, United States
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car39 km north-west of AnaheimKnown for Hollywood Sign.
- 2
San Bernardino, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car65 km north-east of Anaheim - 3
Oxnard, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car123 km west of Anaheim - 4
Moreno Valley, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car64 km east of Anaheim - 5
Huntington Beach, United States
Half-day tripAbout 30 min by car21 km south of Anaheim - 6
Santa Clarita, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car85 km north-west of Anaheim - 7
Rancho Cucamonga, United States
Half-day tripAbout 50 min by car42 km north-east of Anaheim - 8
Escondido, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car111 km south-east of Anaheim - 9
Torrance, United States
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car39 km west of Anaheim - 10
Van Nuys, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car63 km north-west of Anaheim - 11
Thousand Oaks, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car93 km north-west of Anaheim - 12
Simi Valley, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car93 km north-west of Anaheim - 13
Victorville, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car97 km north-east of Anaheim
A sample day: Anaheim to Los Angeles
- 08:30Leave Anaheim
- 09:15Arrive in Los Angeles (45 min drive)
- 09:30Hollywood Sign
- 11:30Lunch
- 12:45Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Los Angeles
- 15:15Head back to Anaheim
- 16:00Home in Anaheim
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Anaheim?
- The best day trips from Anaheim are Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Oxnard, Moreno Valley, Huntington Beach. The closest is Huntington Beach, about 30 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Anaheim?
- Huntington Beach is the closest, 21 km south of Anaheim, roughly 30 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Anaheim?
- 4 places are within about an hour's drive of Anaheim: Huntington Beach (30 min), Los Angeles (45 min), Torrance (45 min), Rancho Cucamonga (50 min).
- What is the biggest city near Anaheim for a day out?
- Los Angeles is the largest city in day-trip range, 39 km north-west of Anaheim and about 45 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Anaheim?
- For a weekend away from Anaheim, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Oxnard (123 km, 1 hr 55 min), Escondido (111 km, 1 hr 45 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Anaheim?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Oxnard at 123 km, around 1 hr 55 min by car.
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