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

Meet Michael Emery - storyteller, podcaster, vintage Land Cruiser enthusiast, and founder of @slowbaja 🌵

Michael shares a glimpse into his passion for slow travel, his deep love for Baja California, and the community that makes overlanding so special.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Michael at an Overland Expo event, your next opportunity is Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, coming up June 25-27 in Redmond, Oregon. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just getting started, this is your chance to connect with the people who make this community so inspiring.

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube and get inspired to explore slow and live well.

🎥 @yapping_about_cars

#OverlandExpo #SlowBaja #Overlanding #BajaCalifornia #VintageRigs #AdventureTravel #LandCruiser #OverlandExpoPNW
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Adventure awaits at Overland Expo and OutdoorX4 Magazine is proud to be a Media Partner of the series since 2013. As a publication dedicated to authentic vehicle-based outdoor adventure and exploration, @outdoorx4 brings together a community of enthusiasts who live for the journey.

🏔️ Whether it`s the adventure of the weekend or a lifetime, from remote backcountry trails to the spirit of self-reliant exploration as well as enjoying all pursuits of outdoors recreation, OutdoorX4 will inspire you to push boundaries while being mindful of our surroundings.

🎁 Get a complimentary 6-issue digital subscription to OutdoorX4 with the coupon code ox4freedigital at outdoorx4.com (direct link in bio)

You can also subscribe to their award-winning archival quality print magazine as well as sign-up for their eNewsletters for the latest news, stories, and reviews.

Adventure is out there and OutdoorX4 is here to help you find it!

📷 @rlngstrt
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We’re still in love with this year’s Ultimate Overland Build 🤩🔥

This 2025 @gmc Sierra HD AT4X AEV Edition is paired with an amazing @overlandexplorervehicles Backcountry Camper and some of the best overland gear in the industry hand selected by our talented builders at @aevconversions and @tinyrigco ⚙️

This epic rig will be auctioned off in November on Bring-A-Trailer with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the @overlandexpofoundation, who works to advance the overlanding community and protect the lands we’re all so lucky to explore.

🌲 Come see it in person at Overland Expo PNW, coming up June 27-29 in Redmond, Oregon.

📍Full walk-through videos and more info on each of our incredible build partners and all the components that came together to make this the 2025 Ultimate Overland Vehicle coming soon!

In the meantime, learn more about the build at the link in @overlandexpo’s bio 🔗

🎥 @andysedano_

#GMCSierraHD #GMCTrucks #AT4X #AEVEdition #OverlandExpo #OverlandExpoWest
#OverlandExplorerVehicles #TruckCamperLife #OffRoadAdventure #OverlandVehicle #TruckCamper #OverlandRig #OffRoadDreams
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Calling all Adventure Seekers! Come see @ToyotaUSA in Booth FG19 at Overland Expo PNW for your chance to win a 4Runner Trailhunter, plus a cash prize! 💸

Check out the full Toyota Truck lineup – including the all-new 2025 Trailhunter 4Runner—plus the Trailhunter Tacoma, 1958 Land Cruiser, Tundra Platinum, and Sequoia Platinum. Don’t forget to complete a quick survey in exchange for some Toyota swag!

🎉 Starting at 7pm on Friday night, come to Toyota Game Night for free food, drinks, and prizes. You definitely won`t want to miss it!

#LetsGoPlaces #Trailhunter #LandCruiser #OverlandExpo #OverlandExpoPNW
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For overlanders, remote doesn’t have to mean offline. 🚐🏔️🛻

With @homefi.info’s multicarrier hotspot, your journey through rugged terrain and backroads can be powered by reliable, on-the-go Wi-Fi. Stream, upload, and share without boundaries.

Every adventure deserves to be connected.


#homefi #portablehotspot #wifionthego
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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.