Guide ToTHE COSTA MESA REGION

MARCH 14-15, 2026
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

@bfgoodrichtires is rolling into Overland Expo SoCal at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, March 14–15, 2026 — the West Coast’s hub for 400+ exhibitors and nonstop overland training, demos, and gear.

Stop by the BFGoodrich booth to check out their latest adventure‑ready tire lineup built for rugged terrain and real‑world exploration. While you’re there, enter their on‑site survey for a chance to win a set of BFGoodrich tires — perfect for powering your next trail, mountain pass, or coastline escape.

Big energy. Big gear. Big prizes.

Catch BFGoodrich in Costa Mesa and get ready to roll into your next adventure with confidence.
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@subaru_usa is back at Overland Expo 2026 with Camp Subaru!

🎉 Play our instant-win scratcher for a chance at exclusive gear
📸 Take home a Plantable photo printed on biodegradable seed paper
🐾 Visit the Subaru Loves Pets adoption pen and meet adoptable animals
🗺️ Grab your digital Subaru Passport, refuel at the hydration station

See you at Camp Subaru!
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Make adventure yours!

Catch @ToyotaUSA at Booth GG-1270 to check out the 4Runner Surf SEMA build, Land Cruiser, and the all-new Trailhunter lineup. Talk with our experts, shop official merch, and grab Toyota swag when you complete a quick survey.

#LetsGoPlaces #Trailhunter #LandCruiser #4Runner #Tacoma #4RunnerSurf
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Adventure takes center stage at Overland Expo SoCal — and Evotrex arrives as a Title Sponsor. Experience the Evotrex-PG5, the world’s first power-generating RV built to extend true off-grid living. Featuring 270+ kWh of on-demand power, Active Power Assist, and adventure-ready design, the PG5 unlocks a new level of freedom, comfort, and self-sufficiency wherever the journey leads.

March 14–15 | Booth 10–223 Get an up-close look at the Evotrex-PG5, meet the Evotrex team, and explore innovative solutions designed for life beyond the pavement. From live demonstrations to expert insights, discover how Evotrex powers real adventure. Join thousands of explorers at Overland Expo SoCal — and get inspired for the journeys ahead.

Follow along 👉 @evotrexnow
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As the Title Sponsor of Overland Expo SoCal, @ankersolix_official is bringing serious power to the party. Power Your Distance!

Swing by the Anker SOLIX booth (GG-1000) to get hands-on with our latest portable and home backup power solutions built for off-grid adventures and beyond. While you`re there, enter for a chance to win the Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2—your next adventure upgrade.

And don’t miss the After Party 👀 Come hang, connect with fellow explorers, and see how Anker SOLIX keeps you powered wherever the road takes you!
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Ring! Ring! The Overland Expo app is BACK! 📱🔥 Get everything you need for Overland Expo SoCal right at your fingertips.
 
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlock an exclusive 50% off onX subscription within the app! Then use the SoCal onX event map to build a personalized route to each booth you want to hit, all based on your live location at the show. 🧭 
 
Here’s what you can do in the app: 
🗓️ Build your custom itinerary
📚 Check out the full education schedule
📍 Find exhibitor booth locations
🗺️ Explore the event map
… and so much more!
 
SoCal is less than TWO weeks away! Don’t miss the biggest overlanding event in Southern California. Buy your tickets today! 🚙💨
 
🔍 Search “Overland Expo” in the App Store or Google Play and download the app now! This app will be used for all upcoming events with Overland Expo West (May 15–17), coming up next.
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@classicoverland makes its debut as a Title Sponsor at Overland Expo SoCal 2026, bringing a lineup built to stop you mid-aisle. Leading the charge is a commanding 6x6 Defender, joined by the heritage-driven Warthog Series and the fully bespoke Signature Series.

The Warthog Series stays true to utility and purpose, rooted in classic Defender DNA and built for real-world adventure. The Signature Series elevates the platform with hand-stitched interiors, premium materials, and modern performance options including LT1 power. Together, they showcase two philosophies united by craftsmanship and capability.

Throughout the weekend, Camel Trophy veteran Jim West will host live Defender heritage sessions at the Classic Overland booth, sharing firsthand expedition stories and insight into why the Defender remains the ultimate global platform.

The map suggests. You decide.

Find the Defender built for the way you travel.
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@gowanderbox is proud to be a sponsor at Overland Expo SoCal this March in Costa Mesa, California. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience a fully built Wanderbox expedition camper up close and personal. Designed and built in Colorado, Wanderbox delivers serious capability with advanced lithium power systems, expansive solar capacity, extended fresh water storage, and suspension engineered for true adventure travel.

Visitors are invited to step inside, explore the craftsmanship, and connect directly with the Wanderbox team to learn about system performance, customization options, and current production timelines. From off-grid power and water independence to interior refinement and long-range durability, the team will be on-site to walk through what sets Wanderbox apart in the expedition camper space.

For those attending Overland Expo SoCal, this is the opportunity to see how Wanderbox is built to go out farther and stay out longer.
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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.