The Recap & ExcitementOverland Expo SoCal 2025

OC Fair & Event Center

Costa Mesa, CA

March 15-16, 2025

Event Statistics

  • 19,000+ attendees
  • 303 registered exhibitors
  • 30 presenters, trainers, and VIPs
  • 57 attending media
  • 26 staff
  • 84 classes, seminars, demos, activities, slideshows, and films; totaling 96+ session hours of instruction
  • Attendees descended on Costa Mesa, CA from all over the country. They span the country from 46 states. The highest in attendance were California, Arizona, Washington, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.
  • International attendees visited from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Israel, Mexico, and South Korea. 

Event Highlights

  • Subaru Hosted an Epic In-Booth Gathering – Subaru brought together adventurers from all backgrounds for an exclusive in-booth celebration. With great company, engaging conversations, and a shared love for exploration, the event perfectly captured the adventurous spirit that defines Overland Expo.
  • Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle Raised Over $13K – The overlanding community came together for a great cause, raising over $13,000 for the Overland Expo Foundation. Thanks to generous contributions from exhibitors and attendees, this fundraiser will help support key overland-focused charities and initiatives.
  • Saturday Happy Hour Fueled Connection & Community – After a full day of exploring rigs, gear, and expert-led sessions, attendees gathered for Saturday Happy Hour, creating the perfect setting to swap stories, make new connections, and toast to another unforgettable event. The camaraderie was undeniable, proving once again that Overland Expo is more than an event—it’s a thriving community.
  • Inspiring Films Played All Weekend – From inspiring expedition documentaries to thrilling off-road adventures, the Oasis Bar & Food Court Sponsored by Nokian Tyres, was the place to unwind and immerse in incredible storytelling. With screenings running all weekend long, attendees had a front-row seat to some of the most compelling films in the overland and off-road world.
  • Women Who Wander: A Community of Adventurers – Overland Expo SoCal’s Women Who Wander gathering was a powerful reminder of the strength and camaraderie within the female overlanding community. The panel featured accomplished travelers who shared personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs, while the meetup provided a space for women to connect, network, and inspire one another.
  • Trend Alert: Bowen Customs Flatbeds Took Over Overland Expo – Flatbed conversions dominated the show, with Bowen Customs flatbeds appearing everywhere. According to our contributing editor, flatbed conversions are poised to be the most popular mod of 2025.
  • Gozney Debuted the Tread – A portable, transportable pizza oven designed for quick heating and cooling—and of course, for delicious, on-the-go pizzas.
  • ICECO Introduced a Compact Crew Cab Fridge – ICECO unveiled a new single-zone fridge designed to fit crew cabs, right behind the center console. This versatile unit functions as either a refrigerator or freezer while accommodating four passengers, offering a compact cooling solution for food and drinks on the go. The new cooler is set for release in Spring 2025.
  • Leitner Showcased Its Most Modular Roof Rack Yet – Designed for ultimate versatility, Leitner’s latest roof rack system adapts to sunroofs, air conditioning units, and other typical obstacles, all while maintaining a sleek, low-profile design.

Photo & Video Highlights

Photo Gallery

Overland Expo SoCal 2025: Sunday Photos
Overland Expo SoCal
Overland Expo SoCal 2025: Saturday Photos

Video Gallery

What People Are Saying

From Exhibitors:

"We didn’t know what to expect coming into Overland Expo SoCal, but it completely surpassed our expectations. Sales have been going great, and we’ve seen a steady flow of interested consumers—families and couples looking for tents. We’re already reserved for next year because this event has been such a success for us." - Rob Kempf from Gazelle Tents

“Saturday was crazy! A ton of people came by to learn, and we had an incredible mix of attendees. We always see strong sales at West, but at SoCal, the pace was even faster—both we and other brands had products flying off the shelves. We didn’t know what to expect, but the demand here was incredible" - Kristi Barker from Rhino-Rack

"The Expo provided a fantastic platform to connect with fellow overlanders, industry partners, and potential customers. The Overland Expo team was helpful and pleasant to work with – from signing up to set-up, they made the process seamless. This exceeded all expectations, and we're already looking forward to participating in future events." - Melanie Ho from Longo Toyota

"This show has been awesome. The convenience factor for our small West coast-based crew is unmatched being that it’s right in our backyard. The booth space has been great, traffic has been nonstop, and yesterday was absolutely insane. We’re not selling on-site, but the engagement toward new products and overall energy at Overland Expo SoCal has been unreal. This might just be our new favorite show on the Overland Expo tour." - Paige Wilson from Optima Batteries

From Attendees:

“Overland Expo is like Disneyland for overlanders—epic rigs, great instructional workshops, and an endless amount of people to connect with." - John O. (Day Pass Attendee)

“This is my first Overland Expo and I'm blown away by everything happening here! I can't wait to check out the other events." - Katy P. (Day Pass Attendee)

“There is never enough time to see and do it all! I've gone to classes, checked out my favorite brands, and even met some of my favorite influencers. Can't wait for next year!" - Greg T. (Weekend Pass Attendee)

“I've been watching the other expos from afar and now I'm stoked that there's one in my backyard! I bought more products for my 4Runner than I should have!" - Gene N. (Day Pass Attendee)

Featured Media Coverage

News

Educational Opportunities at Overland Expo SoCal 2026

Overland Expo So Cal brings an ever-expanding educational program to Costa Mesa, California where you can learn from a vast group of industry experts and community members on just about every overlanding subject under the sun. We have eight different areas set up for overlanding education – here’s what we have planned and where to find it, along with a preview of some of the classes being offered.

February 10, 2026

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

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Full List of Exhibitors

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Photo by Brett Willhelm, Willhelmn Visual Works