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

Off-Road Travel TV is the only weekly cable television show devoted to the off-road adventure travel and the overland lifestyle. Each week the @offroadtraveltv crew takes viewers to spectacular off-road locations and shows them the latest gear and accessories that make the modern off-road / overland travel lifestyle so popular and appealing.

📺 Off-Road Travel TV can be seen every Sunday at 9:30am on RACER TV!
 
Overland Expo West May 16-18 is the one place you can join thousands of other passionate enthusiasts to see all the latest gear, learn new skills, meet new friends and be inspired by hundreds of new ideas and creative ways to make your travels more enjoyable.
 
🔥 Be sure to stop by and see the Off-Road Travel TV project Toyota Tundra in the Creator Area and the project Toyota 4Runner in the Goose Gear booth. Don’t miss it!
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Lexus is once again bringing uncompromising performance to Overland Expo West—and they’re bringing Kurt and Jackson along for the ride with their always-in-demand overlanding workshops. They’ll be at Booth Q25, which will also feature the LX and GX with Lexus AAP Accessories on display.

🌟 Don’t miss your chance to receive the collectible LX 700h Overtrail patch!

👉 @lexususa
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Get ready for an epic weekend at Overland Expo West May 16-18 in Flagstaff, AZ — 400+ vendors, 175+ expert-led classes & demos, incredible adventure ready vehicles and gear, happy hours, parties, family friendly activities, and the BEST community of overlanders around. 🙌🔥

Want the full experience? Camp with us! 🌄 Wake up to mountain air, make new friends at camp, and enjoy easy access to all the fun and adventure all weekend long.

🎟️ Grab your tickets at the link in bio and start planning your adventure! Prices go up 5/4 so snag `em now.
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REDARC, the mobile power and brake controller specialists, are excited to be a sponsor at Overland Expo West! Join them at Booth #Q15 and discover how @redarc_electronics cutting-edge products are powering the next generation of overlanding adventures.

⛰️ From their advanced brake controllers to their reliable 12V power solutions, they have everything you need to enhance your journey off the grid.

⚡ Don’t miss their exclusive educational sessions all weekend, where their experts will share essential insights on 12V power needs, ensuring your rig is ready for anything.

Whether you`re new to overlanding or a seasoned pro, they will help you make the most of your outdoor experience. Stop by, chat with the team, and level up your overlanding setup with REDARC at Overland Expo West! 🌲
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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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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.