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

Wildsam aims to take you places. In their 65+ iconic field guides, they gather intel from across the map into beautiful books about towns, cities, National Parks, iconic regions and epic road trips. Check out their newest releases—Lake Michigan Coast and Wild Alaska—at wildsam.com. ✨ 
 
Plus, @wildsam will be at Overland Expo East! Come say hi at their booth (and you may even get to take home a field guide 👀)!
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Off-Road Travel TV is the only weekly cable television show devoted to the off-road adventure travel and overland lifestyle. Each week the crew takes viewers to spectacular off-road locations and features the latest gear and accessories that make this lifestyle so appealing.

📺 Off-Road Travel TV can be seen every Sunday at 9:30am on RACER TV
 
Overland Expo East is the one place you can join thousands of other passionate enthusiasts from all over the USA to see all the latest gear, learn new skills, meet new friends and be inspired by hundreds of new ideas and creative ways to make your travels more enjoyable. Don’t miss it!

👉 Be sure to keep an eye out for the @offroadtraveltv crew and say hello!
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@ok4wd is the premier vehicle outfitting shop on the East Coast, and they’re bringing the excitement to Overland Expo East!


Join the crew Friday night at the Oasis Bar & Food Court for the OK4WD x Mountain State Overland Video Premiere! An event you won’t want to miss!


Plus, OK4WD will have exclusive deals all weekend long on top overland brands like @alucab_usa, GP Factor, and more.


Come hang out, connect with the community, and gear up for your next adventure.
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Welcome to Camp @Subaru_usa at Overland Expo East this weekend! Come by throughout the event to see the latest Subaru models, meet with the Subaru Accessories team and a Rally 101 with Rhianon Gelsomino!


Stop by the Subaru booth Friday from 7-9pm for Camp Subaru LIVE! featuring singer-songwriters from Nashville and Saturday from 10-2 for a pet adoption event.


Don’t forget to stop by and play their instant win game for a chance to win a Thule Rooftop

tent or a Ride1Up Bike!
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Thunderer Tires is proud to roll into Overland Expo East, happening next week in Arrington, Virginia—the premier event for overlanding, off-road adventure, and outdoor exploration. 
 
🛞 As an official sponsor, @thunderer_tire is showcasing its rugged lineup of all-terrain and mud-terrain tires built for those who demand reliability on every journey. 
 
👉 Stop by the Thunderer Tires booth to see the latest Thunderer Trac Grip M/T and R/T lines, learn more about innovations designed for overland rigs, and connect with experts who live and breathe adventure. 
 
🛻 This year, Thunderer is taking it up a notch with exciting activations, including an RC racecar contest that brings out your competitive side and a chance to win a free set of Thunderer tires—the perfect upgrade for your next expedition. 
 
From hands-on demos to exclusive giveaways, Thunderer Tires invites you to experience performance, durability, and the spirit of exploration at Overland Expo East.
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⛰️ Venture beyond the pavement with Foxhole Overland.

✨ From rugged backroads to starlit campsites, their campers are designed to take you further, stay out longer, and embrace true off-grid living. Every build reflects a deep love for adventure—crafted with durability, functionality, and freedom in mind.

🇺🇸 Proudly built in the USA
👉 @foxhole_overland

#foxholeoverland
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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.