Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Journey Information
There are 5 intercity coaches per day from San Francisco to Santa Ana. Traveling by coach from San Francisco to Santa Ana usually takes around 12 hours and 46 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 10 hours,
| Distance | 378 mi (608 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 0m |
| Cheapest price | £26.04 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Coach lines | 2 |
What coach companies travel from San Francisco to Santa Ana?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to Santa Ana that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 3 | 12h 3m | £57.48 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 13h 9m | £44.74 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 3 trips per day from San Francisco to Santa Ana, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide coach carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 2 bus trips from San Francisco to Santa Ana every day, with the average journey taking around 13 hours and 9 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Santa Ana usually start from £26.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coach takes an average of 12 hours and 46 minutes to cover the 378 miles from San Francisco to Santa Ana. However, the fastest coach only takes 10 hours. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Because many passengers travel from San Francisco to Santa Ana at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for coaches. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go."
The first coach leaves at 06:00 and the last coach leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all coaches from San Francisco to Santa Ana, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 5 scheduled coaches that travel from San Francisco to Santa Ana every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct coach. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different coach at any point during your trip. Direct coaches also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Francisco to Santa Ana; ticket prices start at £42.49.
City Information
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
Santa Ana
Image credit: Unsplash
Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.
One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Coaches to Santa Ana leave from 3 stations in San Francisco.
All coach stations in San Francisco:
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Transit Center
700 Beach Street
Where does the coach arrive in Santa Ana?
Main arrival station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
All coaches from San Francisco arrive at one main station in Santa Ana.
Coach stations in Santa Ana:
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Santa Ana to San Francisco?
Search Coach Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more