The 13 Best Day Trips from Van Nuys
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 Van Nuys, United States, led by Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Anaheim. The closest is Los Angeles, about 35 min by car, and 5 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 Van Nuys
- 1
Los Angeles, United States
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car24 km south-east of Van NuysKnown for Hollywood Sign.
- 2
Bakersfield, United States
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car142 km north of Van Nuys - 3
Anaheim, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car63 km south-east of Van Nuys - 4
Santa Ana, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car73 km south-east of Van Nuys - 5
San Bernardino, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car107 km east of Van Nuys - 6
Oxnard, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car67 km west of Van Nuys - 7
Moreno Valley, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 50 min by car116 km east of Van Nuys - 8
Huntington Beach, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car72 km south-east of Van Nuys - 9
Santa Clarita, United States
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car24 km north of Van Nuys - 10
Rancho Cucamonga, United States
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car79 km east of Van Nuys - 11
Torrance, United States
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car40 km south of Van Nuys - 12
Thousand Oaks, United States
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car36 km west of Van Nuys - 13
Simi Valley, United States
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car32 km west of Van Nuys
A sample day: Van Nuys to Los Angeles
- 08:30Leave Van Nuys
- 09:05Arrive in Los Angeles (35 min drive)
- 09:20Hollywood Sign
- 11:20Lunch
- 12:35Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Los Angeles
- 15:05Head back to Van Nuys
- 15:40Home in Van Nuys
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Van Nuys?
- The best day trips from Van Nuys are Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, San Bernardino. The closest is Los Angeles, about 35 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Van Nuys?
- Los Angeles is the closest, 24 km south-east of Van Nuys, roughly 35 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Van Nuys?
- 5 places are within about an hour's drive of Van Nuys: Los Angeles (35 min), Santa Clarita (35 min), Simi Valley (35 min), Thousand Oaks (40 min), Torrance (45 min).
- Where can I go for a weekend from Van Nuys?
- For a weekend away from Van Nuys, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Bakersfield (142 km, 2 hr 15 min), Moreno Valley (116 km, 1 hr 50 min), San Bernardino (107 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 Van Nuys?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Bakersfield 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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