The primary Overland Expo occasion of the 12 months will probably be occurring at Overland Expo SoCal, returning to the OC Honest & Occasion Heart in Costa Mesa in March 2026. One thing to contemplate in the event you plan on attending is that whereas day passes get you entry to courses, distributors, and demos, tenting on-site is what turns these occasions right into a full weekend immersion in overland tradition.
So, reasonably than commuting out and in of Orange County site visitors, campers get up steps away from the seller village, schooling areas, and night occasions. They get pleasure from sharing espresso, gear ideas, and journey tales, which fits a great distance towards constructing connection throughout the overlanding group.
Tenting at Overland Expo SoCal
On-site tenting has lengthy been thought-about the center of the Overland Expo expertise. As soon as vendor cubicles shut for the day, the campground comes alive with casual meetups, campfire conversations, and hands-on rig walk-arounds that don’t occur throughout present hours.
For a lot of attendees, that is the place the actual studying occurs—seeing rooftop tents deployed, kitchens in use, and suspension setups beneath real-world hundreds, not simply on show stands. So, in the event you’ve ever wished to see simply how different overlanders make the most of their gear, this could be the way in which to do it.
Tenting additionally provides unmatched comfort. Campers can step away for lunch, stash newly bought gear, or take a noon break with out leaving the grounds, maximizing time spent attending courses and exploring.
Night Occasions You Don’t Get With a Day Move
Staying on-site locations campers on the heart of the present’s nighttime programming:
- Oasis Bar & Meals Courtroom – The night hub for meals, drinks, and reside music
- In-booth after-hours gatherings hosted by choose producers
- Overland Expo Basis Charity Raffle – A Saturday-night custom supporting out of doors schooling and conservation
Along with your campsite simply minutes away, there’s no have to plan transportation or reduce the night time brief.
A Transient Historical past of Overland Expo
Overland Expo started in 2009 as a small gathering targeted on vehicle-based journey journey and has since grown into the biggest overlanding occasion sequence in North America. Right now, it brings collectively tens of 1000’s of attendees every year, mixing hands-on coaching, world journey inspiration, and one of the vital numerous collections of overland automobiles wherever.Â
Different Overland Expo Areas—and Tenting Choices
Along with Southern California, Overland Expo hosts a number of occasions throughout the U.S. Right here’s a listing so as of occurence:
- Overland Expo West (Arizona) – Affords intensive on-site tenting
- Overland Expo Pacific Northwest (Oregon/Washington) – On-site tenting sometimes supplied
- Overland Expo Mountain West (Colorado) – On-site tenting accessible
- Overland Expo East (Virginia) – One of many largest campgrounds within the sequence
Whereas facilities and layouts fluctuate by location, most Overland Expo occasions prioritize tenting as a core a part of the expertise reasonably than an add-on. Extra data might be discovered on their web site, Instagram, or Fb web page.
Costa Mesa as a Basecamp
The Costa Mesa venue offers SoCal a novel edge. Campers are minutes from the Pacific Coast, with quick access to seashores, whereas inland routes lead shortly to the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland Nationwide Forest. This prime location makes this venue an amazing launchpoint for a fair longer journey.
What Campers Can Count on On-Website
- Restrooms and water refill stations
- Communal areas like The Bivvy with charging and seating
- Meals vans serving meals all through the weekend
- Instant entry to schooling periods, demos, and vendor areas
Closing Name for March 2026
Tenting capability for the March 14–15, 2026 Overland Expo SoCal weekend is restricted, and remaining spots are anticipated to promote out. For these seeking to expertise the occasion the way in which it was meant—from dawn espresso to late-night campfire conversations—on-site tenting stays the gold commonplace. You need to use the next hyperlink to buy tickets for the occasion https://www.overlandexpo.com/socal/buy-tickets-socal/.
