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

Winnebago is heading to Overland Expo West! Join them at booth Q2 from May 16–18 to check out the EKKO, Revel, and Solis, three vehicles from their Backcountry Series built for off-grid travel and backroad discovery.

From flexible floorplans to rugged capabilities, each model is designed to help you stay out longer and go further. Come take a look inside, ask questions, and see which one fits your travel style.

🎁 While you`re there, don’t miss the chance to enter their Basecamp Essentials Bundle giveaway. Valued at $3,700, this prize pack is filled with gear to elevate your next trip—from campsite comforts to overlanding must-haves.

Whether you`re deep into the off-grid lifestyle or just getting started, the @winnebagorvs team would love to connect and talk all things travel. See you out there! 👋
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Engel Coolers is proud to be a Title Sponsor at Overland Expo West in Arizona! Swing by Booth Q55 and experience the adventure-ready durability and innovation that’s made Engel a trusted name in the overlanding community. They’ll be showcasing their full line of Overland Fridge Freezers and Coolers—built tough for the trail and ready for anything.

💦 Need to cool off? They’ve got you covered with free popsicles and vacuum insulated water bottles while supplies last!

Whether you`re a weekend warrior or a full-time explorer, Engel products are designed to keep your journey moving without compromise. Come see why explorers everywhere choose @engelcoolers and get hands-on with the gear that’s redefining off-grid cooling.

📍Booth Q55 is your Overland basecamp—don’t miss it!
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@optimabatteries is proud to be headed back to Overland Expo West for another year as a Title Sponsor!

With a full line of AGM batteries, lithium powersports batteries, and a brand-new automotive lithium battery, OPTIMA has the ultimate power solution for whatever moves you. Visit the OPTIMA team at booth #Q16 to nail down the best battery option for your next adventure and to grab one of the infamous OPTIMA backpacks. 😉
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Firestone is excited to be at Overland Expo West this year! Visit their booth at Q54 to learn more about Off-Road Truck and SUV tires, as well as Firestone Airide air suspension.

🥞 Make sure to stop by on Saturday at 9am, because Firestone will host a special brunch to share stories from Harvey Firestone’s Vagabond Trips in which camaraderie, innovation and adventure melded together to inspire an era of American road trips.

📷: @firestone
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🏕️ Camp vibes like this… but make it 2025 ✨



Overland Expo West isn’t just an event—it’s an experience. Don’t miss your chance to wake up steps from the action, surrounded by epic rigs, good people, and good times.


Whether you’re rolling in solo, with your crew, or bringing the whole setup—there’s nothing like being part of the community from sunup to sundown. 🌄


👇 Let us know if you’ll be camping with us! We can’t wait to see you in Flagstaff!


🎟️ Premium Camping is SOLD OUT, but there’s still time to grab General Camping or Large Campsite Passes before prices go up! Learn more and grab yours at the link in bio.
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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.