Guide ToTHE COSTA MESA REGION

MARCH 15-16, 2025
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

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.

FOOD & DRINK

Work in progress

Work In Progress (WIP) is a Costa Mesa coffee shop that offers some delicious breakfast burritos and sandwiches. The atmosphere is light, bright, airy and inviting. The Rosemary Latte is a crowd pleaser; but the Americano, Cold Brew, Houjicha Latte are stand outs as well.

Website

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

Sidecar Doughnuts serves specialty handmade doughnuts and coffee out of a small storefront on 17th Street.  All of the doughnuts are made daily from scratch. With incredible flavors like birthday cake and lemon poppy seed, these delights move fast.

Website

Folks Pizzeria

Folks offers red and white pizzas, which are all 14” and serve 2-3 people. Favorite red pizzas are the margherita, a great vegetarian option, and the fennel sausage with mozzarella, pecorino, parmesan, basil, fennel pollen and garlic oil. 

Website

Bear Flag Fish Co.

Bear Flag has a vision that supports healthy living, healthy eating, and an active lifestyle. This includes supporting local fisherman, and the US economy.

Website

Moongoat Coffee Roasters

The G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) of coffee comes straight from the moon. With their own roastery and a series of retail cafes located in Orange County, MoonGoat Coffee is a must-visit for coffee fiends and casual sippers alike.

Website

Eller Bakery

Eller Bakery uses only the finest heritage grains, which are grains that were grown before the introduction of intensive, scientific plant breeding in the mid-1900s, and ancient grains, which date back to almost 10,000 years ago.

Website

El Matador

One of Costa Mesa’s oldest restaurants, El Matador has been serving delicious Mexican food in its iconic location since 1966. From taco Tuesday and chile relleno, to house margaritas and huevos rancheros, there’s something for everyone.

Website

Beach Pit BBQ

Beach Pit BBQ gives guests a real Southern barbecue taste with an intense flavor derived from a special blend of woods, a perfected BBQ sauce, and home-like atmosphere. Enjoy pulled pork, classic beef brisket, St. Louis-style ribs and juicy chicken and turkey..

Website

THINGS TO DO

Not sure what you want to do, but want to know what is available in the area? Travel Costa Mesa offers a treasure trove of tips and advice on how to make the most of your stay near the California coast. Looking to get out and explore a little? Check out Visit Huntington Beach, Visit Newport Beach, and Destination Irvine. You can also take a look at this great article for the 26 Top Things to Do in Orange County.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Popular mountain biking trail suggestions from Visit Laguna Beach!

Bicycle rentals and guides available through The Cyclist in Costa Mesa or demo bikes available through Pro Bike Supply in Newport Beach. MTB Project or Trailforks also have maps and suggestions for great trails in Southern California.

HIKING

Get lost in the beauty of the Crystal Cove State Park with a great hike! Limitless options are available at Hiking Project.

Plan a hike with a picnic in the Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park. It’s easy to get away from the noise here!

For more options, here is a list of the 12 best hikes in Orange County!

SHOpping

The world-famous South Coast Plaza defines the luxury shopping experience with its extraordinary boutiques, designer shops, personal service and upscale amenities.

The CAMP excels as an innovative retail community designed to offer outdoor and action sports enthusiasts authentic shopping and dining experiences in a natural compound.

Beaches

The world-famous Newport Beach borders Costa Mesa. Newport Beach consists of more than 8 miles of beach bordering Newport Bay and extending from the Santa Ana River jetty to Crystal Cove State Park. 

Known all over the world as Surf City USA® because of its consistent waves chased by surfers, Huntington Beach attracts more than 8 million visitors each year to its world-famous municipal pier.

State Parks

With many miles of hiking and mountain biking trails leading up to the shoreline, Crystal Cove State Park is not a place you’ll want to miss! While you’re there, be sure to check out the tidepools.

Museums

The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) is a visual arts museum in Costa Mesa. The museum’s collection has a focus on the art of California from the early 20th century to present.

Nearby, The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is located in Yorba Linda, about 30 minutes away. The museum features nearly 70 major exhibits, including a replica of President Nixon’s Oval Office. 

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

Overland Expo SoCal will be taking place March 15-16 in Costa Mesa, CA and we couldn’t be more excited for this epic weekend in Southern California! ☀️

✔️ Check out hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the best overlanding, adventure travel, camping, and motorcycle gear and vehicles
✔️ Prepare for adventure with dozens of classes, demos, and activities 
✔️ Join thousands of overland enthusiasts from around the world for happy hour and other special events 
✔️ Participate in the raffle to win incredible gear prizes donated by leading brands 

🎟️ Get your tickets now and get ready for an epic weekend!

👉 Head to the link in bio for tickets and more info, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for event updates.

🔥 Tag who you want to bring, and if you’ll be there let us know!
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Overland Expo SoCal is less than 6 weeks away and we couldn’t be more excited to bring you an unforgettable weekend of adventure, education, and community 🎉

The Official Sponsor & Exhibitor List is now live! We’re proud to partner with top industry brands that fuel the spirit of exploration. From cutting-edge vehicles to innovative gear and exclusive events, these exhibitors are bringing the best of overlanding to SoCal.  

🔗 Check out who’s coming, tag the brands you’re most excited to see, and grab your tickets if you haven’t already! 

Who’s joining us for this epic weekend? Drop a 🔥 in the comments if we’ll see you there! 
 
#overlandexpo #overlandexposocal #overlandgear #overlandvehicles #overlandcommunity #overlandevent
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Tour this custom-built Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van designed for year-round adventure! 🚐

This overland-ready camper van features a one-of-a-kind, engineered bed-to-dining transformation system that maximizes space like you’ve never seen before.

Build highlights:
▪️ Versatile Modular Layout
▪️ Two Beds + Seating for 5
▪️ Full Kitchen & Bathroom
▪️ Tons of Storage Space

📺 Head to the link in bio to view the full tour on YouTube!

Huge thanks to Sveta for sharing this incredible Sprinter van build! 🙌

🎥: @mitchsini

#SprinterVan #VanConversion #Overlanding #VanLife #AdventureVan #DIYVanBuild #CamperVanLife #MercedesSprinter #VanLifeIdeas #OffGridLiving #TinyHomeOnWheels #OverlandRig #CamperVanTour #OverlandExpo
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Didn’t win the giveaway? Get your tickets and join us! 🚐🌎

Tickets for our 2025 events are going fast, and camping passes for Overland Expo SoCal are already sold out.


Whether you’re dreaming of new gear, epic workshops, or connecting with fellow explorers, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Overland Expo ✨


👇 Let us know which event you’re coming to, we can’t wait to see you!

🎟️ Tickets at the link in bio 🎟️


#overlandexpo #overlandevent #overlandcommunity #overlandvehicles #overlandgear
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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.

Photo by Brett Willhelm

THE WORLD IS WAITING.

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