The 13 Best Day Trips from Thousand Oaks

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 Thousand Oaks, United States, led by Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Anaheim. The closest is Oxnard, about 35 min by car, and 3 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 Thousand Oaks

  1. 1

    Los Angeles, United States

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 5 min by car56 km east of Thousand Oaks

    Known for Hollywood Sign.

  2. 2

    Bakersfield, United States

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car135 km north of Thousand Oaks
  3. 3

    Anaheim, United States

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car93 km south-east of Thousand Oaks
  4. 4

    Santa Ana, United States

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car101 km south-east of Thousand Oaks
  5. 5

    San Bernardino, United States

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 15 min by car143 km east of Thousand Oaks
  6. 6

    Oxnard, United States

    Half-day trip
    About 35 min by car31 km west of Thousand Oaks
  7. 7

    Huntington Beach, United States

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car96 km south-east of Thousand Oaks
  8. 8

    Santa Clarita, United States

    Half-day trip
    About 45 min by car37 km north-east of Thousand Oaks
  9. 9

    Rancho Cucamonga, United States

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 50 min by car115 km east of Thousand Oaks
  10. 10

    Torrance, United States

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 10 min by car59 km south-east of Thousand Oaks
  11. 11

    Van Nuys, United States

    Half-day trip
    About 40 min by car36 km east of Thousand Oaks
  12. 12

    Victorville, United States

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car148 km east of Thousand Oaks
  13. 13

    El Monte, United States

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car75 km east of Thousand Oaks

A sample day: Thousand Oaks to Los Angeles

  1. 08:30Leave Thousand Oaks
  2. 09:35Arrive in Los Angeles (1 hr 5 min drive)
  3. 09:50Hollywood Sign
  4. 11:50Lunch
  5. 13:05Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Los Angeles
  6. 15:35Head back to Thousand Oaks
  7. 16:40Home in Thousand Oaks

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Thousand Oaks?
The best day trips from Thousand Oaks are Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, San Bernardino. The closest is Oxnard, about 35 min away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Thousand Oaks?
Oxnard is the closest, 31 km west of Thousand Oaks, roughly 35 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Thousand Oaks?
3 places are within about an hour's drive of Thousand Oaks: Oxnard (35 min), Van Nuys (40 min), Santa Clarita (45 min).
What is the biggest city near Thousand Oaks for a day out?
Los Angeles is the largest city in day-trip range, 56 km east of Thousand Oaks and about 1 hr 5 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
Where can I go for a weekend from Thousand Oaks?
For a weekend away from Thousand Oaks, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Victorville (148 km, 2 hr 20 min), San Bernardino (143 km, 2 hr 15 min), Bakersfield (135 km, 2 hr 5 min), Rancho Cucamonga (115 km, 1 hr 50 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
How far is too far for a day trip from Thousand Oaks?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Victorville at 148 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.

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