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

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

Wanderbox 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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Why go to Overland Expo SoCal? Let the voices of the community tell you! 🤩

⚙️ 400+ Top Overland, Automotive, & Outdoor Exhibitors
📚 100+ Hours of Expert Led Classes
🤝 Connect with Fellow Overlanders
🚙 Experience Epic Trail Ready Rigs

Share what you’re most excited for at Overland Expo SoCal, we want to hear it! 👇

🎟️ Hit the link in our bio to get your tickets!

#overlandexpo #costamesaca #overlandcommunity #overlandexposocal
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Overland Expo SoCal 2026 is almost here, and @alpharexusa is proud to return as a Title Sponsor.
 
AlphaRex will be bringing its latest lighting innovations, along with a lineup of fully built vehicles that showcase real-world performance in demanding environments. No matter what your adventure vehicle looks like or where it takes you, AlphaRex builds lighting designed to go with you.
 
In addition to new product releases, AlphaRex will debut fresh merch and an exclusive drop in collaboration with @tacomabeast and Olympic skateboarder @heimana_reynolds. Limited quantities will be available at the event.
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Attention overlanders! 🥳 Our official 2026 Overland Expo SoCal Sponsor and Exhibitor list is now live. Discover which of the 360+ brands are rolling into Costa Mesa for the largest overlanding event in Southern California. 
 
Planning your weekend? Explore our education schedule online and start mapping out the classes, demos, and trainings you don’t want to miss! 📳
 
Roll call! Who are you most excited to see at Overland Expo SoCal? Tag them below! ⬇️ 👀
 
View the full list and schedule on our website using the link in our bio! 🧭 
 
#overlandexpo #overlandexposocal #overlandgear #overlandvehicles #overlandcommunity overlandevent
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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.