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

Conceived on a frozen lake in the Northern United States, you may find Imperial Outdoors roaming anywhere traditional RVs won’t go. Built to exceed the boundaries of a traditional camper, Imperial Outdoors is your all-weather, all terrain home away from everything.

Come see @imperial_outdoors_rv at Overland Expo West this year at their NEW booth Q105 where they will be releasing two new series built for your Overland Journey!
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The Pinnacle of Overlanding Trailers is coming to Overland Expo West 2025. The all-new @patriot.campers ST5 Supertourer will be making its show debut.

Built in Australia, engineered and designed for the world, the ST5 redefines what’s possible in an Overlanding Trailer. Luxury living, lightning-fast setup, and unmatched durability in off road conditions.

See it in person at the Patriot Campers booth Q34 at Overland Expo West.
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Tommy Camper Vans has redefined vanlife in Arizona, setting a new standard with unmatched in-house capabilities—including a full-service dealership, professional paint shop, and custom-built roof racks—all under one roof. Known for their hand-crafted, custom camper vans, Tommy delivers unbeatable quality, pricing, and turnaround time.

At the helm is Mikey Rudman, a visionary builder driven by a mission to streamline the custom van experience. Backed by the most skilled craftsmen in Arizona, Mikey and the Tommy team are revolutionizing the way adventure vans are built—merging custom craftsmanship with efficient manufacturing processes.

🚐 Now, @tommycampervans proudly introduces “The MAV”—the ultimate luxury adventure van packed with premium features and designed for those who demand comfort and capability. Come see it in person at Overland Expo West and meet the team behind these incredible vans!

🌄 The road is calling. Tommy Camper Vans is ready to build your dream.
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Calling all Adventure Seekers! Come see @toyotausa in Booth Q30 at Overland Expo West May 16-18 for your chance to win a 4Runner Trailhunter, plus a cash prize! Check out the all-new 2025 Trailhunter 4Runner—plus the Trailhunter Tacoma and 1958 Land Cruiser. 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. We`ve got a special mystery celeb, too, so you definitely won`t want to miss it!
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Introducing ARCANE WARRIOR at Overland Expo West!

Roll up to Booth L38 in Flagstaff, Arizona, and get up close with this new brand built for overlanding. @arcanewarriorglobal gear snaps seamlessly onto any rig, giving adventurers a unified, battle ready setup that is as stylish as it is rugged.

Born in 2020, each patented piece is designed, tested, and built to withstand the wild and looks good doing it. Courage, resilience, and passion fuel every product. Stop by their booth to see how true warrior gear can transform your next expedition.

📍 Find them at Booth L38 from May 16-18

🌐 Explore the full lineup at arcanewarrior.us
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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.