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

ROA Off-Road is heading to Overland Expo PNW this weekend in Redmond, Oregon! As a Title Sponsor, the team is displaying MDC USA’s four flagship rigs including the XT19HRT Off-Grid Extreme, XT12HR Off-Grid Extreme, Robson XTT MKII, and XL15-4E Off-Grid Extreme. Each rig is kitted with full-time lithium power, independent suspension, and best-in-class construction.

Throughout the show, step inside every model for guided walk-throughs, hands-on 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 the experts and discover why MDC’s flagship line leads the in durability, comfort, and adventure.

📷 @roa_off_road
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OVR Magazine is proud to be part of the ultimate gathering for overlanders, explorers, and gear lovers alike.

🎁 Special Offer for Overland Expo PNW Attendees: Visit the @ovrmag booth during the show and receive one-year FREE Digital Access to OVR Magazine`s full library of past and current issues—packed with vehicle features, gear reviews, travel guides, and more. No credit card needed!

📗 Whether you`re a seasoned trail veteran or just starting your adventure journey, swing by the OVR booth to say hello and check out their latest magazine.
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Welcome to Camp @Subaru_usa at Overland Expo PNW! Come by throughout the weekend to see the latest Subaru models, learn about Subaru Overlanding with Carey Lando and a Rally 101 with Rhianon Gelsomino!

🐶 Kick off Saturday with the Brightside Animal Shelter for a pet adoption event, and end the day with Camp Subaru LIVE! featuring singer-songwriters from Nashville. 🎵

🔥 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!

See you this weekend!
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Get ready, adventurers ⚡️ Expion360 is powering up for Overland Expo PNW next week in Redmond, Oregon! As a proud sponsor of this iconic event, @expion360 is bringing innovation, energy, and serious off-grid capability to the heart of the overlanding community.

🔋 Come check out their full lineup of premium lithium batteries, Gen-Delete power systems, and off-grid solutions built to power your pursuit. Whether you`re outfitting your rig or dreaming up your next big trip, their team will be on hand to walk you through customized energy setups and answer all your power questions.

👉 Be sure to stop by their booth for product demos, show-only promos, and hands-on insight into what makes Expion360 the trusted choice for serious explorers. Don’t miss your chance to connect—the road to adventure starts here!
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As an official media partner of the 2025 Overland Expo event series, @wildsam is excited to be heading to Oregon for Overland Expo PNW!

In every issue, Wildsam Magazine explores scenic drives, natural wonders, vehicles & gear, the folk that make the road interesting, and so much more.

Throughout the event, come say hi at Wildsam’s booth, which will feature free copies of Wildsam Magazine, a selection of their iconic Field Guides, and two rigs from Ember RV.

Let’s hit the road!
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Four Wheel Campers is proud to sponsor Overland Expo PNW—and they`re bringing some trail-ready inspiration to Booth FG17.

Come explore their latest lineup, including the all-new Hawk+ Flatbed, designed with expanded living space and increased storage for full-size heavy duty trucks. You’ll also find the minimalist-friendly Project M Topper, the versatile Hawk Slide-In, and their newest modular design, the CampOut, shown on a full-size short bed truck.

Whether you’re new to overlanding or upgrading your current setup, the @fourwheelcampers team will be on hand to walk you through floor plans, answer questions, and help you gear up for your next adventure.

🔥 Show special alert: Attendees can claim $825 off their camper installation (conditions apply).

Stop by FG17, check out what’s new, and let’s talk about your next trip!

Let the journey begin. 🏔️
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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.

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