Since its inception in 2009, Overland Expo has grown exponentially, expanded to five events across the United States, each featuring hundreds of vendors, over 100 presenters, trainers, and VIPs, and nearly 500 session hours of education. With so much to do during the event, it can be both exhilarating and a bit overwhelming for the first-time attendee to an Overland Expo.
Here’s a brief introduction to what we have going on, along with some tips to get you going, whether you’re an Overland Expo veteran or a newcomer experiencing all the excitement for the first time.
Things to Do Before You Arrive
First things first. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, head over here and do that. With your tickets in hand, be sure to download the Overland Expo app from your phone’s app store (links below). The official app gives you access to the event map, event schedule, and an easy way to find the vendors or classes you are looking for. Once you have the app, be sure to select “Overland Expo SoCal 2026” as the event and let it download the event-specific data.
Once you arrive, the overland world is your oyster. Here are the highlights to get you on your way:
Educational Opportunities
Overland Essentials Area
Whether you are new to overlanding or need to brush up or expand on your knowledge of the fundamentals, the Overland Essentials area sponsored by Vortex Optics is your ticket. All weekend long, instructors like Graham Jackson, Connie Rodman, Lory Perfect, and Scott Brady will be teaching classes covering topics like Daily Vehicle Checks, Water Logistics for Overlanding, Keeping Your Gear Organized on the Road, Baja Borders and Checkpoints Banter, and International Overlanding: How to Take Your Adventures from Local Trails to Global Roads.
The Learning Lab
The Learning Lab sponsored by FOX offers our widest range of educational topics across all classroom areas. There you will find a mix of perennial favorite classes by longtime instructors, classes being offered for the first time, and a host of cutting-edge topics. Among the classes being offered, check out Bikepacking 101: Gear, Routes, and Riding in Southern California by David Kerstan, Of Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs – Travel Safety and Personal Security with J. P. Prins, and Back to Belize by Graham Jackson.
Backcountry and Culinary Pavilion
As the name implies, the Backcountry and Culinary Pavilion sponsored by Mohab is the hub of all education related to skills in the backcountry and leveling up your cooking skills while out there. Chef Corso will be continuing his popular Outdoor Eats classes, and Joey Carmen from Overland Bistro will be presenting Outdoor Kitchen Confidential, among a host of other popular classes.
Women Who Wander Pavilion
The fastest growing demographic in the overland community is female. The Women Who Wander Pavilion Sponsored by Kelderman Manufacturing is the place to find women-oriented programming all weekend long. Open to all, you can attend classes such as Start Somewhere: A Women’s Open Q&A with Racehlle Croft, Overlanding for Couples with Dolores Michael, Woman in the Business of overlanding by Sara Morosan
Oasis Bar and Food Court
The Oasis Bar and Food Court sponsored by Nokian Tyres at the center of the venue will host a number of exciting presentations throughout the weekend. Start your weekend off right with Chris Bradley’s How to Get the Most Out of Overland Expo orientation, see Clay Croft’s presentation Adventure Filmmaking: How to Tell Your Story and Create Impact, and please join us on Sunday morning at 11 am for the Women Who Wander Networking Event and brunch sponsored by Maxxis.
Bivvy #1
Amidst all the education, roundtables, and hands-on demos, you might want to take a moment to relax and regroup as you plan the rest of your day. Be sure to stop by Bivvy #1 sponsored by Hankook Tire. The bivvys provide a great spot in the shade with some comfy seating where you can relax, recharge, and rehydrate. Plus, more often than not, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with other attendees at the bivvy to swap stories, pointers on cool gear, and must-see educational sessions.
DIY and Creator Vehicle Areas
This area showcases a diverse set of overlanding vehicles from Bevan and Claire Walsh’s 2007 Freightliner MR 105 ambulance conversion to Nicholas Whittakers’ inventive 2011 4Runner build, and Carrie and J.P. Prins’ 2026 Nomad Euphoria XLQ. You can wander around the display vehicles all weekend, and their owners will be hosting vehicle tours for those who want a deeper dive and would like to talk to their owner/builders. Check the schedule for these unique vehicle tours.
Kids Adventure Area
The Overland Expo Foundation will be hosting the Kids Adventure Area throughout the event. This is an area for you and your kids to have some fun Overland Expo-style. Come by from 10:00 am – 11:50 am and from 1:00 pm to 3:50 pm on Saturday for the Kids’ Driving Course, where the young and the young at heart can attempt to pilot an RC car through a tough mini-obstacle course that’s been a highlight for many Overland Expo attendees. Come back on Sunday for another opportunity to run the Kids’ Driving Course gauntlet from 10:00 am to 11:50 am, followed the Overland Expo SoCal 2026 Scavenger Hunt from 1:00 pm to 3:50 pm.
Check out the Overland Expo app for a full schedule of classes.
Vendors
No doubt, the vendor area is one of the most popular parts of Overland Expo. This year, our SoCal event will have hundreds of vendors, with the list of exhibitors growing every day. Just about anything overland-related you can imagine can be found for sale, but the most enjoyable thing may be just wandering around and discovering new and interesting kit. You’ll find some in-booth demos, giveaways, and demonstrations going on in the vendor area – a further reward for wandering about a bit. The complete list of vendors can be found here.
You’ll find exclusive deals aplenty throughout the area, with some vendors offering their best prices of the year. If there is something particular you are looking for, check out our evolving show specials list to see some of the best deals to be had.
Relax at the Bivvys
In addition to Bivvy #1 that will be hosting classes all week, we have two other bivvys set aside just for you. They are the perfect place to take a seat, recharge your phone, fill your water bottle, and plan your next move.
Evening Festivities
While you will spend your days attending classes, visiting our amazing vendors, and dreaming about your next overland adventure, we’ve got plenty in store for you in the evening.
Saturday night, start off at 5:00 pm with the Happy Hour sponsored by Toyo Tires. Enjoy refreshments, live music, and a chance to get to know thousands of your fellow overlanders at the Oasis Bar & Food Court sponsored by Nokian Tyres
After Happy Hour winds down stick around for the Overland Expo Foundation Raffle which kicks off at 5:30 pm. The mountain of raffle prizes grows bigger and bigger every event with some truly impressive gear that just might be going home with you. It’s no exaggeration that this is one of the most popular parts of the event. Raffle tickets go toward the Overland Expo Foundation’s work in the community.
READ MORE: 9 Must Have Items for Overland Expo SoCal
Women Who Wander Networking Event
Aimed at providing women-oriented education, networking, and training, The Women Who Wander program has grown to be one of the most exciting and popular parts of Overland Expo. In addition to the Women Who Wander education opportunities offered throughout the event, there will be a Women Who Wander networking event and brunch sponsored by MAXXIS Tires on Sunday at 11:00 am.
We will have mimosas ready for you to join us for a morning of networking Q&A with a host of experienced women involved in the overland community, a themed bingo game, and a presentation and Q&A with special guest Jess Stone. The event will take place at the Oasis Bar and Food Court, sponsored by Nokian Tyres.
Ready to Join Us?
Now that you know what to expect and what can’t be missed, click the link below to make sure you join in on the fun in just a few short weeks in Costa Mesa, California.
