Guide ToTHE COSTA MESA REGION

MARCH 13-14, 2027
OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER // COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
SAT 9-5 | SUN 9-4

ABOUT THE VENUE

OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER

The OC Fair & Event Center is at the heart of Costa Mesa’s vibrant year-round events calendar, hosting more than 150 events and attracting more than 2 million visitors annually.  The center is home to Centennial Farm, Pacific Amphitheatre and one of the largest fairs in the United States, the OC Fair.

DRIVING TIMES TO Costa Mesa:

Photo by: OC Fair & Events Center

CALIFORNIA's HIDDEN CAMPGROUND GEMS

Discover California like never before with Hipcamp’s curated destinations. From serene groves to rugged badlands, these spots offer the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty.

Ready to explore? Choose your next getaway below!

OVERLAND ROUTES & RESOURCES

Trips & Trails: Movie Road, Alabama Hills

You’ve seen the Alabama Hills many times before in movies, TV, and on the ‘gram, but maybe you’ve never experienced it from the driver’s seat?

Located off picturesque Highway 395 on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near the town of Lone Pine, Movie Road encompasses viewpoints of high desert and Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States within its 24 beautiful miles.

Trips &Trails: The Lost Coast – Usal Road

There isn’t a trip that is more uniquely Northern California than the Lost Coast, a collection of mostly dirt roads that starts at Highway 1 between Westport and Leggett and traverses CA State Land Trust lands and Sinkyone Wilderness State Park which includes a collection of beautiful hikes, beach access, and (paid) camping at Usal Beach.

Trips &Trails: Bodie Ghost Town

If you haven’t explored U.S. Route 395 through California, you have no idea what you’re missing. I can honestly say that from Socal to Norcal it is an adventurer’s paradise with trails, experiences, lakes, camping, and hiking to appease anyone’s wanderlust.

Trips & Trails: Mojave Road

The Mojave Road is a trail ideal for overlanders looking to cut their teeth on a long but moderately difficult trail. Due to extreme temperatures in the region, Springtime is the ideal time to plan this trip.

Looking for more ways to connect with others? Join one of the many overland groups traveling together before or after the show.

Expedition Portal | American Adventurist | ADVrider  | Overland Bound

Looking for a scenic route that uses dirt, gravel, and paved roads to wind through remote parts of the region?

Backcountry Discovery Routes

ACCOMODATIONS

HOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS

ADDITIONAL HOTEL SEARCH OPTIONS:

EXPO HOUSING SERVICES
WARNING: This is not a legitimate company. If you are contacted by them, do not use their services.

NEARBY RV PARKS

We do not allow motorhomes / RVs to camp on-site. It’s best to book a real RV park near Costa Mesa, CA.

RV PARKS IN THE COSTA MESA AREA:

Check out reviews of various RV Parks and Campgrounds in the area.

Camping

In order to keep our culture of off-the-beaten-path travel alive and well, all on-site camping is restricted to motorcycles, tents, overland vehicles, and small overland trailers ONLY.

CAMPGROUNDS IN THE AREA:

CAMPGROUND SEARCH OPTIONS:

NATIONAL FOREST CAMPGROUNDS

The Cleveland National Forest offers several campgrounds, click HERE for a list of campgrounds.

Fly & Ride

Where to rent motorcycles?

Although motorcycle rentals are not available locally in Costa Mesa, you can fly to the surrounding areas and rent adventure motorcycles at: 

For the best route suggestions, check out this list from Indian Motorcycle of Orange County!

CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW #OVERLANDEXPO

This is what Overland Expo is all about. Connection, discovery, and a community that shows up.

If you’ve been thinking about getting your brand and products in front of people that actually need it, this is your sign!

Exhibiting opportunities are still available for:
📍 Overland Expo Pacific Northwest — June 26–28, 2026 | Redmond, OR
📍 Overland Expo Mountain West — August 21–23, 2026 | Loveland, CO
📍 Overland Expo East — October 23–25, 2026 | Arrington, VA

You only have THREE more chances to join us at the industry’s biggest stage. Meet your customers where they gear up and find what’s next for the trail. Email us at [email protected] for more info! #overlandexpo
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Adventure awaits, and @vortexoptics is bringing you closer than ever at Overland Expo West. From May 15–17, find us at the heart of the action, showcasing optics built for those who push beyond the map and into the unknown.

Whether glassing distant ridgelines, navigating rugged terrain, or dialing in the details that make every journey unforgettable, Vortex® helps overlanders see more, and magnify the moments that matter.

At the booth, guests can get hands-on with gear designed to perform wherever the trail leads, connect with experts, and discover how the right optics elevate every mile of the journey.

It’s more than a stop. It’s a chance to sharpen your view of what’s possible where the road ends and adventure begins.
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🚨 Buy online and save! Grab your Overland Expo West tickets now and join the largest overlanding event in the world.

Explore 400+ outdoor exhibitors, enjoy 220+ weekend activities, discover epic adventure gear, and connect with fellow overlanders. 🚙

📍 Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff, AZ
📅 May 15-17, 2026

Tap the link in our bio to buy your tickets today! 🎟️

Who’s ready for Overland Expo West? Let us know in the comments! 👇

#OverlandExpoWest #Overlanding #FlagstaffArizona #Outdoor #OverlandExpo
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@arcanewarriorglobal is back at Overland Expo West and they’re bringing more than just gear.

Built for people who are all about the overlanding life, they will be showcasing its latest lineup, including the all-new M’LinkX Roof Rack Platform, the precision-engineered REVOLVE PIVOT MASTER X90 Roof Rack Ladder, and a full lineup of Marvel licensed gear, where refined design meets real capability.

Across the weekend, you’ll get hands-on with live product demos, sign up for new product testing, and kick back at the Happy Hour Meet connecting with familiar faces like Arctic.Mojave, Cameron Becnel, all while getting in on the raffle giveaways. From on-site surprises to limited deals, there’s always something waiting for you at the booth.

Swing by Booth Q22 and see it all up close.
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🌲 Testimonial Tuesday!🌲

Read about Steve’s unforgettable premium camping experience at Overland Exp West! Ready to create your own memories? Stay on-site and connect with fellow adventurers at the world’s largest overlanding event. 🚙🔥

Choose from premium, moto, or vehicle camping passes and lock in your spot today! Enjoy nightly happy hours, bond with the overlanding community, and embrace festival-style camping from Thursday morning to Monday morning. 🏕️

📅 Event Dates: May 15-17, 2026
📍 Location: Ft. Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff, AZ

What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked while camping? 🍳

🎟️ Save now through April 29 - grab your camping passes using the link in bio!

#OverlandExpoWest #Overlanding #Camping #Outdoors #OverlandExpo
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Free yourself from the tyranny of the timetable and the necessity of making reservations wherever you go.

As a sponsor of this year’s Overland Expo West event, @weareairstream will be showcasing a lineup ready for wherever the journey leads. From rugged Basecamp models to fully equipped touring coaches capable of extended off-grid lifestyle. Attendees are invited to step inside, explore key features, and connect with a team that understands what it takes to get out there and stay out there.

Whether you`re dialing in your current setup or planning your next upgrade, their team will be on-site with product insights and show-exclusive opportunities.

Join We Are Airstream in Flagstaff, May 16-18, and experience a new standard of adventure.
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Overland Expo West is where real rigs show up. It’s exactly where @classicoverland belongs.

We build Defenders to be driven. Long miles, rough terrain, real ownership. Every build is designed around how you actually travel, not how it looks parked.

Our Signature Series is a full body-off, down-to-the-nuts-and-washers restoration with modern drivability built in. The Warthog Series is a true refurbishment. Simple, durable, and built to be used.

If you’re at Expo West, come find us at Q70. Step inside and experience what a Defender feels like when it’s built with purpose.

Built for the way you move. This is the Defender, done right.

@Yapping_About_Cars
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THE WORLD IS OUT THERE GO SEE IT!

Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo SoCal in Costa Mesa, CA.