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

4x4 Colorado is beyond excited to be back as a Title Sponsor at Overland Expo Mountain West! This is their favorite time of year to connect with the amazing overlanding community, swap stories, and check out the latest builds rolling through. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a full-time adventurer, or just planning your first trip off the beaten path, they can’t wait to meet you in person.

Stop by the @4x4.colorado booth to say hi, talk gear, and take advantage of insane, show-only deals you won’t find anywhere else. From their rugged rooftop tents to expedition-ready accessories, they’ve got everything to take your adventures to the next level.

Come for the gear, stay for the people, and leave inspired for your next journey. See you at Overland Expo Mountain West!
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🏔️ Overland Expo Mountain West is THIS WEEKEND! 🏔️

We`ve got an epic lineup planned for you. Get ready for:
✔️ 350+ brands showcasing top-tier adventure rigs & gear
✔️ Hands-on education & demos from overland pros
✔️ Happy hours, networking, parties, and special events
✔️ And lots more!

🎟️ Camping is sold out but Weekend & Day Passes are still available - hit the link in bio to grab yours!

🔥 Who`s rolling in? Let us know in the comments and tag your crew 👇
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Make a meal out of a mountain with the Tacoma. Visit the Pedersen Toyota booth at Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland Colorado August 22-24.

Toyota, Let’s Go Places!

👉 @pedersen_toyota
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⚡ OPTIMA Batteries is charging onto the Overland Expo Mountain West scene as an official sponsor!

From rugged trail rigs to fully equipped expedition vehicles, @optimabatteries is the Ultimate Power Source for battery performance and off-grid reliability.

Get a look at the newest products in the OPTIMA line, explore high-performance setups, and meet the team behind the brand trusted by enthusiasts worldwide.

📍 Whether you`re planning your next overland journey or looking to upgrade your rig, booth C7 is your destination for expert insights and premium power solutions.
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💥 Get behind the wheel at Overland Expo Mountain West!

Ready to flex your off-road skills? Don`t miss the Ram Ride & Drive on the Nothing Stops Ram Test Track — a custom-built off-road course where you can drive the Ram 1500 Rebel G/T & Ram 2500 Rebel HD and put their legendary capability to the test. Complete the course and score a free gift! 🎁

⛰️ While you`re there, check out their epic lineup of overland-upfitted @ramtrucks — built for your next adventure.

📍 Catch it during show hours at Overland Expo Mountain West (included with your passes!)

🎟️ Don`t have tickets yet? Get them now at the link in bio and start planning your adventure.
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Winnebago is heading to Overland Mountain West with their Solis, EKKO and Revel. Part of their Backcountry Series, these rigs are built for off-grid travel and designed to handle remote terrain with ease 🚐⛰️

🎁 Don’t miss the chance to enter Winnebago’s Basecamp Essentials Bundle giveaway. The prize pack is valued at $3,700 and includes campsite gear curated for comfort and adventure 🏕️

👉 Whether you’re just getting into overlanding or looking to upgrade, this is a great opportunity to connect with a brand that builds with real travelers in mind.

📍 Find them at booth C64 to explore the lineup and see which model best fits your travel style and check them out at @winnebagorvs
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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.