Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born in Salinas, California, to Gregory Hudgens, a firefighter, and Gina (née Guangco), an office worker. Her mixed heritage includes Filipino, Chinese, Spanish, and Irish ancestry.

Hudgens was raised along the West Coast, living in various locations within California, including San Diego and Orange County. Her upbringing involved community theater and musical productions from a young age.

From a young age, Hudgens was involved in local theater productions. She participated in musicals such as 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Evita', 'Carousel', 'The King and I', and 'The Music Man.' These early experiences fostered her love for performing and laid the foundation for her future career.

At the age of 10, Hudgens started auditioning for commercials and television shows, marking the beginning of her professional acting career. Her early experiences included background roles and minor appearances in various projects.

Due to her growing acting career, Hudgens began being homeschooled to accommodate her auditions and filming schedules. This allowed her to balance her education with her professional commitments.