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Two Hours to Almost Anywhere You Have Dreamed Of
Weekend trips from Oxnard and Port Hueneme, sorted by drive time. Beaches, mountains, deserts, theme parks and national parks, plus the trains that leave from downtown Oxnard.
Under an hour
| Destination | Miles | Drive | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpinteria | 27 | 30 min | A gentle family beach and a small downtown |
| Ojai | 25 | 35 min | Small arts town, hiking and a long flat bike trail |
| Lake Casitas | 25 | 35 min | Camping, fishing and boating |
| Santa Barbara | 38 | 45 min | State Street, the mission, the waterfront and the zoo |
| Malibu | 38 | 50 min | The coast drive on Highway 1, beaches and the pier |
| Six Flags Magic Mountain | 47 | 55 min | Roller coasters, by way of Highway 126 |
One to two hours
| Destination | Miles | Drive | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Studios Hollywood | 52 | 1 hr | The studio tour and rides |
| Santa Monica | 50 | 1 hr 10 | The pier and the beach path |
| Downtown Los Angeles | 60 | 1 hr 15 | Museums, pro sports and concerts |
| Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley | 73 | 1 hr 20 | A Danish village and wine country |
| Catalina ferry terminals | 80 | 1 hr 25 | Then about an hour by boat to Avalon |
| Disneyland | 87 | 1 hr 40 | Two parks in Anaheim |
| Pismo Beach | 120 | 2 hrs | Dunes, a pier and clam chowder |
Two to four hours
| Destination | Miles | Drive | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | 132 | 2 hr 10 | A college town with a mission and a famous farmers market |
| Palm Springs | 165 | 2 hr 45 | Desert resorts and the aerial tram |
| Big Bear Lake | 150 | 2 hr 50 | The closest snow and skiing |
| San Diego | 180 | 3 hrs | The zoo, the beaches and the USS Midway |
| Joshua Tree National Park | 190 | 3 hr 15 | Desert boulders and night skies |
| Sequoia National Park | 235 | 4 hrs | The biggest trees on earth |
A long weekend
| Destination | Miles | Drive | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sur | 240 | 4 hr 45 | Highway 1 cliffs. Check for road closures first. |
| Las Vegas | 315 | 5 hrs | Shows and the Strip |
| Mammoth Lakes | 325 | 5 hr 15 | Skiing and the Eastern Sierra lakes |
| Yosemite Valley | 330 | 5 hr 45 | Waterfalls and granite walls |
Los Angeles traffic can double any time that crosses the city. Leave before 6 am or after 8 pm on a Friday.
Leave the car at home
The Oxnard station at 201 East 4th Street has free parking.
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner runs the coast from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, with stops in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Anaheim. Active duty members, spouses and dependents get 10% off.
- Metrolink's Ventura County Line runs from Ventura through Oxnard, Camarillo, Moorpark and Simi Valley to Burbank Airport and Union Station in Los Angeles.
Make it cheaper
- National parks are free for active duty families with the annual Military Pass and free for life for veterans.
- The MWR ticket offices on base sell discounted theme park and ski tickets.
- More ideas are on the military discounts page.
Questions people ask
How far is Santa Barbara from Oxnard?
About 38 miles, or 45 minutes in light traffic.
How far is Disneyland from Naval Base Ventura County?
About 87 miles from Oxnard, usually an hour and 40 minutes without heavy traffic.
Is there a train from Oxnard to Los Angeles?
Yes. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink's Ventura County Line both run from the Oxnard station to Union Station.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: Distances and times are our estimates from central Oxnard in light traffic. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink route pages; Catalina Express; Casitas Municipal Water District. Hours, prices, laws and dates change, so confirm with the official source before you act.
Keep going
Come home to the coast on Sunday night
The best part of a weekend away is the drive back to a place that is yours. Adam can help you find it.