The 14 Best Day Trips from Huntington Beach
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 14 good day trips from Huntington Beach, United States, led by Los Angeles, Anaheim, Santa Ana. The closest is Santa Ana, about 25 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 14 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Huntington Beach
- 1
Los Angeles, United States
Half-day tripAbout 55 min by car49 km north-west of Huntington BeachKnown for Hollywood Sign.
- 2
Anaheim, United States
Half-day tripAbout 30 min by car21 km north of Huntington Beach - 3
Santa Ana, United States
Half-day tripAbout 25 min by car15 km north-east of Huntington Beach - 4
Chula Vista, United States
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car142 km south-east of Huntington Beach - 5
San Bernardino, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car82 km north-east of Huntington Beach - 6
Oxnard, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car124 km north-west of Huntington Beach - 7
Moreno Valley, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car77 km north-east of Huntington Beach - 8
Santa Clarita, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car96 km north-west of Huntington Beach - 9
Rancho Cucamonga, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 10 min by car62 km north-east of Huntington Beach - 10
Escondido, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car104 km south-east of Huntington Beach - 11
Van Nuys, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car72 km north-west of Huntington Beach - 12
Thousand Oaks, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car96 km north-west of Huntington Beach - 13
Simi Valley, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car99 km north-west of Huntington Beach - 14
East Los Angeles, United States
Half-day tripAbout 50 min by car43 km north of Huntington Beach
A sample day: Huntington Beach to Los Angeles
- 08:30Leave Huntington Beach
- 09:25Arrive in Los Angeles (55 min drive)
- 09:40Hollywood Sign
- 11:40Lunch
- 12:55Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Los Angeles
- 15:25Head back to Huntington Beach
- 16:20Home in Huntington Beach
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Huntington Beach?
- The best day trips from Huntington Beach are Los Angeles, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Chula Vista, San Bernardino. The closest is Santa Ana, about 25 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Huntington Beach?
- Santa Ana is the closest, 15 km north-east of Huntington Beach, roughly 25 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Huntington Beach?
- 4 places are within about an hour's drive of Huntington Beach: Santa Ana (25 min), Anaheim (30 min), East Los Angeles (50 min), Los Angeles (55 min).
- What is the biggest city near Huntington Beach for a day out?
- Los Angeles is the largest city in day-trip range, 49 km north-west of Huntington Beach and about 55 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Huntington Beach?
- For a weekend away from Huntington Beach, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Chula Vista (142 km, 2 hr 15 min), Oxnard (124 km, 1 hr 55 min), Escondido (104 km, 1 hr 40 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Huntington Beach?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Chula Vista at 142 km, around 2 hr 15 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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