The 13 Best Day Trips from Santa Ana
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 Santa Ana, United States, led by Los Angeles, Chula Vista, San Bernardino. The closest is Huntington Beach, 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 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 Santa Ana
- 1
Los Angeles, United States
Half-day tripAbout 55 min by car49 km north-west of Santa AnaKnown for Hollywood Sign.
- 2
Chula Vista, United States
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car143 km south-east of Santa Ana - 3
San Bernardino, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car67 km north-east of Santa Ana - 4
Oxnard, United States
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 5 min by car131 km north-west of Santa Ana - 5
Moreno Valley, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car63 km east of Santa Ana - 6
Huntington Beach, United States
Half-day tripAbout 25 min by car15 km south-west of Santa Ana - 7
Santa Clarita, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car95 km north-west of Santa Ana - 8
Rancho Cucamonga, United States
Half-day tripAbout 55 min by car47 km north-east of Santa Ana - 9
Escondido, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car101 km south-east of Santa Ana - 10
Torrance, United States
Half-day tripAbout 50 min by car45 km west of Santa Ana - 11
Van Nuys, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car73 km north-west of Santa Ana - 12
Thousand Oaks, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car101 km north-west of Santa Ana - 13
Simi Valley, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car102 km north-west of Santa Ana
A sample day: Santa Ana to Los Angeles
- 08:30Leave Santa Ana
- 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 Santa Ana
- 16:20Home in Santa Ana
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Santa Ana?
- The best day trips from Santa Ana are Los Angeles, Chula Vista, San Bernardino, Oxnard, Moreno Valley. The closest is Huntington Beach, about 25 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Santa Ana?
- Huntington Beach is the closest, 15 km south-west of Santa Ana, roughly 25 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Santa Ana?
- 4 places are within about an hour's drive of Santa Ana: Huntington Beach (25 min), Torrance (50 min), Rancho Cucamonga (55 min), Los Angeles (55 min).
- What is the biggest city near Santa Ana for a day out?
- Los Angeles is the largest city in day-trip range, 49 km north-west of Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana?
- For a weekend away from Santa Ana, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Chula Vista (143 km, 2 hr 15 min), Oxnard (131 km, 2 hr 5 min), Simi Valley (102 km, 1 hr 35 min), Thousand Oaks (101 km, 1 hr 35 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Santa Ana?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Chula Vista at 143 km, around 2 hr 15 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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