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

Only 2 days until Overland Expo West, and setup is officially underway for the world’s largest overland event! 🤩
 
Flagstaff, AZ, we’ll see you May 15–17 for the largest overlanding event in the world. 🏕️
 
🌟 Meet 400+ top outdoor, automotive, and adventure exhibitors.
🌟 Learn from 220+ classes, demos, and activities.
🌟 Check out epic custom rigs.
🌟 Enjoy happy hours, in-booth parties, giveaways, and more!
 
Grab your tickets through the link in bio 🎟️
 
Who’s coming this weekend?🤠
 
#OverlandExpoWest #OverlandExpo #FlagstaffAZ #Overlanding
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Meet the expert educators teaching classes at Overland Expo West 2026! You’ll have the opportunity to connect, learn, and get insider tips from the best in the field. 💡

📚 400+ hours of classes
🎓 120+ expert instructors and presenters from around the world
🛠️ Slideshows, demonstrations, and activities

Which session are you most excited to attend this year? 🤝

Flagstaff, AZ 📍 | May 15–17 🗓️

Get your tickets now to the world’s largest overlanding event! 🏕️

#OverlandExpoWest #Overlanding #FlagstaffArizona #Education
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Join @xoverland, @overlandjournal, and @expeditionportal at Booth Q19/20 during Overland Expo West May 15-17 to meet members of the Overland Collective team, hear stories from their 25,000-mile Milestones expedition, check out their latest builds, and snag some merch! ...

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@OffRoadTravelTV is the only weekly program on television devoted to off-road adventure travel and the overland lifestyle. Join them every week as they explore backroads and byways looking for adventure and unique experiences around the globe.

In 2026, they visited Iceland to drive 4x4’s, the Virgin Islands and Hawaii to drive UTV’s, then they rode adventure bikes to the Arctic Circle and much more before they capped off the season with a trip to Bali to drive UTV’s in this jungle paradise. They also tested and evaluated dozens of products throughout the year from off-road trailers to the latest in overland gear and accessories.

Off-Road Travel TV airs every Sunday at 9:30am on the Racer network with re-airs throughout the week. Off-Road Travel TV is also available on most major streaming services and all of our episodes are available on our website at http://www.offroadtraveltv.com/video
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@outdoorX4 is proud to be a Media sponsor of Overland Expo since 2013! OutdoorX4 is dedicated to authentic vehicle-based and outdoors adventure storytelling along with the latest news and reviews in print, digital, audio, video, web, and social, and 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.

All attendees will be offered a complimentary digital subscription! Just enter coupon code ox4freedigital! You can also subscribe to our award-winning archival quality print magazine, as well as sign-up for our eNewsletters for the latest news, stories, and reviews.

Adventure is out there and OutdoorX4 is here to help you find it!
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Whether you’re a seasoned trail veteran or just getting started, @ovrmag has amazing photography, expertly curated content that is informative, and educational.

OVR: Outdoor Vehicle Recreation is proud to be a part of the ultimate gathering of explorers that love the outdoors.

Visit ovrmag.com to grab your one-year FREE Digital Access to OVR Magazine’s full library of past, current, and future issues—packed with vehicle features, gear reviews, travel guides, and more.

They WON’T ask for a credit card during check out.

#OVRmag #OVR #OverlandExpo
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@ineos_grenadier returns to Overland Expo West 2026 as a proud sponsor, bringing the best INEOS Grenadier builds in America to Flagstaff, AZ, May 15-17

As Arizona`s exclusive INEOS Grenadier dealership and the INEOS Southwest Headquarters, Arrowhead INEOS Grenadier is known for delivering premium builds, unmatched inventory, and nationwide access to the Grenadier platform.

Attendees can experience:
🔧 Industry-leading custom builds designed for serious overland capability
🚙 The best selection of INEOS Grenadier inventory in the U.S.
🇺🇸 Nationwide vehicle delivery -- shipped anywhere in the United States
💼 Flexible financing and pre-order options tailored to every adventure
Certified INEOS Grenadier experts will be onsite to walk guests through trail performance, engineering, and what makes these builds stand apart.
📍 Visit Arrowhead INEOS Grenadier at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, AZ
🗺️ Come see them at Booth Q55
🌐 http://arrowheadineosgrenadier.com

#INEOSGrenadier #ArrowheadINEOSGrenadier #OverlandExpoWest #OverlandingLife #BuiltForMore #4x4Life #FlagstaffAZ
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@fourwheelcampers is heading to Overland Expo West!

Since 1972, Four Wheel Campers has built lightweight, durable pop-up campers designed to take adventurers farther off the beaten path — and they’re bringing that legacy to one of the biggest overlanding events of the year.

Stop by the Four Wheel Campers booth to explore the newest models, meet the team, and see why generations of explorers have trusted FWC for more than 50 years. Whether you’re a longtime owner or new to overlanding, the team would love to connect. Plus, attendees who purchase a Four Wheel Camper within a week of the show will receive $875 off their install.

See you out on the trail.

#FourWheelCampers #OverlandExpoWest #BuiltForAdventure
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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.