SocalFAQs
MARCH 15-16, 2025
OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER // COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
SAT 9-5 | SUN 9-4
ABOUT OVERLAND EXPO SoCal
OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER
COSTA MESA, CA, USA
This prime Orange County property in Southern California is located just around the corner from John Wayne Airport (SNA) and only minutes from the beautiful California coastline. The OC Fair & Event Center, the popular fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, offers a large and spacious venue with access to paved open areas and buildings throughout the grounds. It is the perfect place to experience the Overland Expo in all the glory that sunny Southern California has to offer.
- Hard pack, level surfaces in vendor area
- All attendee parking on-site
Locations & Hours
When: Overland Expo SoCal — March 15-16, 2025
Public Hours: Saturday 9 am – 5 pm • Sunday 9 am – 4 pm
Location: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA
Ways to Attend: We offer ticket options from one-day general admission passes to full Weekend Passes with Camping. For more details and to purchase tickets see Ways to Attend. All tickets must be purchased online, in advance.
AT THE VENUE
- On-site Day Pass parking is REQUIRED at the OC Fair & Event Center. Parking Passes will be available to purchase onsite for $15/car.
- No overnight parking or camping allowed with Day or Weekend Passes!
- If you are a Weekend Pass holder, an on-site parking pass must be purchased for each day of the event.
No, there will not be any shuttles available for transportation to your vehicle from the venue gates.
Although we are an event that promotes the use of vehicles and motorcycles for overlanding, there will be no rolling movement on the venue grounds. No vehicles, motorcycles, bikes, and electric scooters, basic scooters, bikes, skateboards, etc. are permitted in the vendor area.
Please note: NO ATVs, quads or side-by-sides.
Attendees with limited mobility will be able to park in our handicapped-designated areas. There are ADA accessible brick and mortar restrooms, as well as port-a-johns in the camping area. The venue is level in most areas, with pavement throughout the majority of the venue grounds. Please have your ADA placard visible for parking/camping attendant to easily assist you with location placement. We will have staff members available with carts for assisting low-mobility attendees to and from their vehicles / campsites, as needed.
Unfortunately, there will not be individual carts or wheelchairs available for rent. Please bring any personal assisted devices as needed. Please CONTACT US for more information, and we’ll do our best to make your visit as easy as possible.
The venue does have cell and internet coverage but can have trouble servicing the number of attendees during peak attendance days at times. WIFI will NOT be provided, so please bring your own internet device, if needed.
No! Drones, paramotors, and other flying apparatuses are NOT allowed, for safety reasons.
Supplies such as groceries, ice, gas, banks, etc. are located nearby at most of the surrounding intersections.
There will be a good selection of food, beverage (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and coffee trucks onsite in the Oasis Bar & Food Court available for purchase. ATMs will be available onsite.
- We host the Overland Expo Happy Hour in the Oasis Bar & Food Court on Saturday from 5pm-7pm
- Bar hours vary – see newspaper (receive at check-in) for hours
- Drinking = NO Driving. Zero-tolerance is in effect—you will not be allowed to participate in any sponsored driving / riding areas.
What is not allowed?
- NO glass bottles are allowed.
- NO hard sided coolers.
- NO outside food or drink allowed.
Alcohol brought on the grounds by exhibitors, attendees or show personnel is strictly prohibited. The OCFEC Food service Provider shall only serve alcoholic beverages on the OCFEC property.
Overland Expo is an outdoor event—be prepared for all types of weather! Every year is quite a surprise!
- Daytime: Average temp is 67°F; sunny, but mildly cool
- Nighttime: Average temp is 53°F
- Elevation: 69 feet
- Approx. Sunrise/Set: 7:00 am / 7:00 pm
NO Smoking will be permitted throughout the venue.
- Bring sun protection such as a hat, sunscreen, long-sleeved light shirts.
- Layering is highly recommended; temps tend to slightly drop after sunset.
- Drink lots of water; you must stay hydrated at all times in the sunny SoCal!
- We will have potable water stations for refilling your personal water bottles.
- Arrive with water tanks full.
- Backpacks are allowed in the exhibitor area to carry necessary supplies.
NEARBY ACOMMODATIONS & CAMPING
Check out our Guide to the Area page and book early! It’s a busy weekend all over SoCal.
There are no on-site hotels available, but there are many options nearby, at all price levels. Check out our Accommodations section of our Guide to the Area page for links and information.
*Disclaimer: if you are contacted by Expo Housing Services (http:// www.expohousingservices.com), we are in no way associated and it is a scam.
There are National Forest campgrounds around the Costa Mesa area. Sites are well-spaced and shaded with tables, grills, water, and toilets. For more information, see the Forest Service page about Cleveland National Forest here.
ON-SITE CAMPGROUND
- Camping is festival style in a compact area; there are no hookups available.
- Camping on-site is for ground tent camping, vehicle camping, pop-up and roof top tents, smaller overland vehicles, Class B, and motorcycles only (NO RVs, NO travel trailers, NO Class A or Class C style motorhomes allowed).
- Camping is limited for small overland centric trailer setups with a length of 13 feet or less.
- The OC Fair & Event Center Campground is reserved for Overland Expo campers and exhibitors only during the event weekend (closed to the public). This campground has limited availability, so book yours early!
- Day Pass attendees (those visiting for only one day) ARE NOT eligible for camping. If you are interested in upgrading your Day / Weekend Pass to Weekend Pass with Camping, then CONTACT US.
- Organized group camping is not available. Campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like to camp with your group, we recommend you all arrive together to be placed together. You must purchase the same camping ticket in order to camp within the same area.
Camping is located north of the exhibitor footprint.
- Access is open to ground tent camping, vehicle camping, pop-up and roof top tents, smaller overland vehicles, and motorcycles only (NO RVs, NO travel trailers, NO Class A or Class C style motorhomes allowed).
- There will be restrooms within the campground.
- NO water spigots for water filling.
- Camping is festival-style on a mix of gravel and grass.
- On-site camping is in demand. In order to accommodate as many on-site campers as possible, campers will be near fellow campers.
RULES FOR CAMPING
- Pets are welcome, but please have them leashed at all times and clean up after them; make sure to read the Pet Rules.
- There will be roaming 24-hour security.
- NO open (wood or charcoal) fires allowed in the dispersed camping areas. Propane cookstoves and propane campfire units with an on and off switch only are acceptable.
- There is NO electricity. Please turn off your generators when quiet hours begin at 10:00 pm as to not disturb your neighbors.
- Camping check-in will open at 9 am on Friday morning. You may stay through Sunday night, if you desire.
- All campers must be off the venue grounds by 11am Monday morning. There are no exceptions.
- Friends Who Want To Camp Together, Must Arrive Together: There will be no reserving space for friends within the campgrounds. If you plan to camp with your friend, please plan to meet up prior to your arrival at the event grounds. All passholders within the group MUST carry the same ticket type. No day / weekend pass attendees may stay overnight in the campgrounds.
FACILITIES & AMENITIES
- There are no hookups for electricity or water in the camping areas.
- Restrooms will all be brick-and-mortar restroom facilities.
- There are NO water spigots in the camp areas for filling up trailer water tanks. Bring your own filled water containers / food / cooking gear, etc. Treat this like a true overlanding trip: be self-sufficient or plan to travel to local cities (minutes away) for food, water, etc.
FIRES
No campfires (wood or charcoal) in the dispersed camp areas due to fire danger. Propane is allowed, including portable campfire appliances – MUST have an on and off switch. NOTE: All and any fires, including propane, could be banned in the event of extreme fire danger.
GENERATORS
Quiet generators are allowed but must be turned off by 10 pm. Please be considerate of your neighbors.
FIREARMS
Venue rules state no firearms are allowed in any capacity.
AFTER-HOURS SECURITY PHONE NUMBER: (317) 518-3568
If you are in need of assistance from security after show hours (overnight), then call this number and our roaming security will immediately assist you on-site.
FRIDAY (3/14): 9 AM – 6 PM
Campers MUST arrive on Friday during staffed hours of operations and allow extra time for parking and/or camp set-up. Arrive at the camping check-in tent to receive your camping credentials. You will then be guided to your campsite.
Once check-in closes for the day, we will be unable to accommodate any late campers for arrival. If arriving outside of the camping check-in period, you are choosing to forfeit your camping pass.
TRIP AND VEHICLE PLANNING
John Wayne Airport – Orange County (SNA) is a 5-minute drive from the OC Fair & Events Center. All major car rental companies are represented at SNA, along with Uber and Lyft options.
There are numerous groups organizing overlanding trips to the show, both for a fee or for free. The following forums are good resources:
TICKETING
All ticket holders agree to the waiver and terms outlined in our Participant Release of Liability Waiver with your online registration / ticket purchase. Read and download the Waiver.
You will be prompted to review and sign your digital waiver via a link in your confirmation email, in order to receive your QR code as your ticket. All attendees agree to the waiver and terms when purchasing a ticket on-site at each event.
Note: Only the main registrant will receive a confirmation email to sign the waiver and received the QR code. The waiver will be valid for all participants within the same order. All add on items and passengers will be linked to the same QR code. Passengers will not receive email confirmations.
Once you have signed your digital waiver, you will receive a QR code. This QR code will be your ticket for admission. If multiple tickets have been purchased together, then all tickets will be linked to a QR code and may be accessed by scanning at the entrance gate. All tickets will show the purchaser’s name. However, not to worry, there is no need to change the name (or transfer the ticket) to each person as it can simply be scanned at the of arrival.
You will be prompted to review and sign your digital waiver via a link in your confirmation email, in order to receive your QR code as your ticket. All attendees agree to the waiver and terms when purchasing a ticket on-site at each event.
As all Overland Expo Events have dramatically grown within the past few years, all of the camping will sell out early. Camping packages are extremely limited in number. Please be sure to secure your registration early to avoid any inconvenience.
Weekend and Day Passes usually do NOT sell out; unexpected circumstances may limit ticket sales for high-attendance days. Day / Weekend pass prices will increase closer to the event start date, as well as for on-site purchases. Please purchase in advance to avoid any additional fees and delays.
Parking passes will be purchased on site upon arrival.
CLASS SELECTION
Details coming soon!
If you have any further questions that we may assist you with, please CONTACT US for more information.
REFUNDS
We have been hit with extreme weather during past Overland Expos, continued through it all and had a great time to boot. We are a show by adventurers, for adventurers. We do not give refunds due to weather—it does not stop the show, it just makes the training and overall experience more epic! It is valuable to note that weather is expected to be lovely during this time of the year in SoCal.
Refund And Transfer Policy:
- We have to strictly adhere to our refund policy in order to organize the highest quality event and to run our business; we’re sure you understand.
- Open Refund Policy Prior to 60-days out from opening day: All tickets are refundable or transferrable to another event prior to 60-days out from the opening day of each event. After that open refund period has closed, all tickets are non-refundable and are non-transferrable to another event, and all sales are final including passenger passes and any order add-ons (merchandise, raffle tickets, etc.).
- Within 60-days from the opening day of each event, all sales are final, non-transferrable to another event and non-refundable.
- If you request to downgrade your pass within 60-days out from the opening event date, you will be choosing to forfeit the value difference between the passes.
- Events take place rain or shine. Tickets will NOT be refunded or transferred to another event due to inclement weather.
Purchase Protection
- You have the opportunity to protect your order with Purchase Protection. If you happen to need a refund due to a qualifying circumstance, you can receive a refund by filing a claim with Purchase Protection. See qualifying circumstance and terms here: https://www.purchaseprotection.com/
- Purchase Protection cannot be added after you submit your order.
- If you have selected Purchase Protection and need to file a claim, please do so here: https://www.purchaseprotection.com/claims/
Attendee to Attendee Ticket Transfers:
- It is the responsibility of the person currently registered for Overland Expo to find someone to acquire their ticket. You may want to visit the Facebook Event Page to find someone to take your spot, or to find a ticket that is being offered for transfer.
- Overland Expo will not manage a waitlist, nor will we act as “match-maker” to help anyone find a ticket.
- All Weekend, Day Pass, and Camping tickets purchased by one person will display that name only. No need to transfer a ticket to a spouse or someone else, for check in purposes. The transfer process will only prompt them to purchase the ticket from you. Tickets may be scanned in with the same name one at a time at the gate.
IF IN NEED OF TRANSFERRING DAY / WEEKEND / CAMPING PASSES, PLEASE FOLLOW THE TRANSFER PROCEDURE BELOW:
- In the confirmation email click the link to ‘Set Up Account Now’. Or log-in HERE with the email used at registration (first time user will need to set-up a password)
- Click Registration at the top of the page
- Click on your order
- Locate the ticket/registrant to be transferred
- Click ‘Edit’ to change the name, email and any other relevant information on the ticket
- Save the updated information
- The new ticket holder will be prompted to purchase the ticket in the system before releasing it from you.
- We recommend Resending the confirmation email with the updated information.
- Once information has been finalized and saved, the new registrant will receive the updated confirmation email and new ticket.
- Tickets may be scanned in with the new name at the gate.
- If you need any assistance with changing your registration, please contact CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Event cancellation or postponement:
- If the event is postponed, attendees that don’t request a transfer to another event will be automatically transferred to the postponed dates.
- If the event is cancelled, attendees will be offered transfer options at the time of cancellation to Overland Expo’s discretion.
*We reserve the right to change this policy at any time.*
- In the confirmation email click the link to ‘Set Up Account Now’. Or log-in HERE with the email used at registration (first time user will need to set-up a password)
- Click Registration at the top of the page
- Click on your order
- Locate the ticket/registrant to be transferred
- Click ‘Edit’ to change the name, email and any other relevant information on the ticket
- Save the updated information
- The new ticket holder will be prompted to purchase the ticket in the system before releasing it from you.
- We recommend Resending the confirmation email with the updated information.
- Email us if you have any questions.
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.