Guide ToTHE COSTA MESA REGION

MARCH 13-14, 2027
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

CALIFORNIA's HIDDEN CAMPGROUND GEMS

Discover California like never before with Hipcamp’s curated destinations. From serene groves to rugged badlands, these spots offer the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty.

Ready to explore? Choose your next getaway below!

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

Pushing the boundaries of off-road innovation with proven capability and OEM-level engineering, @aevconversions continues to set the standard for expedition-ready vehicles and components built for the harshest environments. This year, AEV returns as the Title Sponsor of Overland Expo PNW, bringing an impressive lineup of adventure vehicles to the Pacific Northwest.

Attendees can get an up-close look at the all-new AEV FXL, a purpose-built overland platform designed for serious exploration. The booth will also feature a range of AEV vehicles engineered with the brand’s signature focus on quality, durability, and real-world performance — including the TruckHouse BCR, the ultimate expedition vehicle that blends premium comfort with true backcountry capability.

From stamped steel bumpers and precision-tuned suspensions to fully integrated overland solutions, AEV’s presence at Overland Expo PNW reinforces one simple idea: adventure is better when it’s engineered right.

#aev #aevconversions #truckhouse #provenworldwide
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This Father`s Day, skip the socks...😎

Give Dad a weekend he`ll keep talking about. Nights under the stars, gear to explore in person, and a community that gets him.

Use code DAD20 for 20% off, June 17–21. 🎟️

Pick his next adventure:
🏔️ Pacific Northwest — June 26–28, Redmond, OR
🏕️ Mountain West — Aug. 21–23, Loveland, CO
🌲 East — Oct. 23–25, Arrington, VA

The gift that doesn`t end up in a drawer. 👉 Tap the link in bio to grab his tickets.

*Discount valid on all passes when two or more are purchased, and all camping passes when purchased with any number of passengers.​

#OverlandExpo #FathersDay #Overlanding
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Own the road less traveled! Catch @ToyotaUSA at Booth FG19 to check out the all-new Trailhunter lineup. Talk with their experts, shop official merch, and grab Toyota swag when you complete a quick survey.

They’ll also be hosting Toyota Game Night on Friday from 7pm to 9pm in the Toyota booth with fun games for the whole family, complimentary food and refreshments, and your chance to win some amazing prizes!
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@Ford invites Overland Expo attendees to explore the capability of the Explorer® Tremor® and Expedition® Tremor®. At the Ford booth, guests can get up close with both vehicles, connect with product experts and learn how Tremor® is engineered to handle rugged terrain and elevate off-road confidence. Attendees are encouraged to snap a photo with their favorite Tremor® and share it using #TremorTour or take part in the Ready Set Adventure Scavenger Hunt for a chance to receive Ford branded giveaways. Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to register for a chance to win $2,500 toward a glamping getaway with Under Canvas® to continue the adventure beyond the show.

Disclaimer: Available Ford Accessories shown. Always consult the Owner`s Manual before off-road driving, know your terrain and trail difficulty, and use appropriate safety gear.

Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and weight distribution. Always properly secure cargo.
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@fourwheelcampers is headed to Overland Expo Pacific Northwest.

As one of the region’s premier gatherings for overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts, the event brings together brands, travelers, and adventurers from across the country - and Four Wheel Campers will be there showcasing the latest camper models and connecting with the community. Attendees who purchase a Four Wheel Camper within a week of the show will also receive $875 off their install.

For more than 50 years, Four Wheel Campers has built lightweight, durable pop-up campers designed to help explorers venture farther off the beaten path. Come take a peek at some for yourself!

Visit overlandexpo.com for more information.

#FourWheelCampers #OverlandExpoPNW #BuiltForAdventure
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@ROA_Off_Road is excited to see you at Overland Expo PNW, June 26-28 in Redmond, Oregon. Their team will be displaying some of MDC USA’s flagship rigs including the XT19HRT Off-Grid Extreme, XT12HR Off-Grid Extreme, and XT16HR Island! Each rig is off-grid & off-road ready with robust lithium power, independent suspension, and best-in-class construction.

Throughout the expo, you can step inside every model for guided walk-throughs, on-hands demos, and grab exclusive show-only pricing. Whether you’re planning to overland in America’s west or travel cross-country visiting iconic sites, swing by ROA Off-Road’s booth (#FG3) to meet their experts, and discover why MDC’s flagship line leads in durability, comfort, and adventure.
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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.