A process for making high density fuels having the potential to increase the range and/or loiter time of Navy platforms. Derivation of these fuels from a sustainable source will decrease the carbon footprint of the Department of Defense (DoD) and reduce reliance on nonsustainable petroleum sources. Fuels based on santalenes have volumetric energy densities greater than JP-5 and F-76 and can be produced from biomass sugars.