Events · California
Overland & 4x4 Events in California (2026–2027)
Quick answer: next up
- Upcoming
- 16 events on this page, each linked to its official source.
- Nov 14–15, 2026
- Badlands Getting Started Off-Road Two-Day Package (San Diego area, November), Borrego Springs, CA
- Nov 14–15, 2026
- Rebelle U 2-Day Navigation Intensive, Ocotillo Wells, CA
- Dec 5–6, 2026
- Badlands Getting Started Off-Road Two-Day Package (LA area, December), Mojave, CA
California has more on our calendar than any other state: 16 upcoming events. 8 of them are driving and navigation classes, which makes California the place to learn. The rest are 2 shows, 5 trail runs and 1 race.
Dates and details come from each organizer's page, linked in the table. Confirm with the organizer before you book anything.
Learn to drive off-road
Badlands 4x4 Training runs a beginner two-day class at 3 upcoming dates, in Borrego Springs (San Diego area) and Mojave (Los Angeles area), capped at 10 vehicles. Upcoming dates: Nov 14–15, 2026 (Borrego Springs); Dec 5–6, 2026 (Mojave); Dec 12–13, 2026 (Borrego Springs). Rebelle U, the training arm of the Rebelle Rally, teaches navigation and driving: Rebelle U 2-Day Navigation Intensive (Nov 14–15, 2026, Ocotillo Wells); Rebelle U 4-Day Driving & Navigation Intensive (Feb 25–28, 2027, Ocotillo Wells); Rebelle U 3-Day Navigation with Rebelle Trials (Mar 18–20, 2027, Ocotillo Wells); Rebelle U 4-Day Driving & Navigation Intensive (Ridgecrest) (Aug 19–22, 2027, Ridgecrest); Rebelle U Sand Dune Driving Intensive (Sep 2–4, 2027, Imperial Sand Dunes). The sand dune intensive is built for stock 4WD and AWD vehicles. A class is a better first purchase than most gear. It teaches you what you actually need to carry.
Shows
California Overland Adventure & Power Sports Show (Del Mar) (Feb 6–7, 2027, Del Mar); Overland Expo SoCal 2027 (Mar 13–14, 2027, Costa Mesa). Overland Expo SoCal 2027 at the OC Fair & Event Center is Overland Expo's Costa Mesa show.
Trail runs
Badlands Saline Valley New Year's Run (Dec 29, 2026, Saline Valley, Death Valley National Park); OPTIMA Rally Jeep Jamboree (Jan 31, 2027, Johnson Valley); TDS Desert Safari (64th Annual) (Mar 5–6, 2027, Ocotillo Wells); Big Bear Jeep Jamboree (Jun 10–12, 2027, Big Bear Lake); Death Valley Jeep Jamboree (Nov 4–6, 2027, Death Valley). Tierra Del Sol 4WD Club calls Desert Safari the longest-running off-road event in the nation, and says proceeds go to fighting land closures. The Jeep Jamboree USA trips are guided.
Racing
King of the Hammers 2027 (Jan 21–Feb 6, 2027) runs more than two weeks in Johnson Valley, from King of the Motos through Ultra4 race week. The organizer calls the schedule provisional.
All upcoming California events
Gear for a desert event weekend
Recovery gear first, then shade and a way to air back up. One pick per category from the gear we track:
FAQ
Where can I learn to drive off-road in California?
Badlands 4x4 Training runs beginner two-day classes in Borrego Springs and Mojave, and Rebelle U teaches navigation and driving in Ocotillo Wells, Ridgecrest, Imperial Sand Dunes. Dates are in the table above.
What overland shows are in California?
California Overland Adventure & Power Sports Show (Del Mar): Feb 6–7, 2027; Overland Expo SoCal 2027: Mar 13–14, 2027.
When is King of the Hammers 2027?
Jan 21–Feb 6, 2027 in Johnson Valley, per the organizer's provisional schedule.
Other states: Utah · Arizona · Nevada · Southwest calendar 2027.
Sources
- https://caoverlandadv.com/
- https://jeepjamboreeusa.com/2027-trips/
- https://kingofthehammers.com/2027-koh-schedule/
- https://tds4x4.com/calendar/
- https://www.4x4training.com/w/product/getting-started-off-road-driving-two-day-package-11-14-26-11-15-26-sd-area/
- https://www.4x4training.com/w/product/getting-started-off-road-driving-two-day-package-12-05-26-12-06-26-la-area/
- https://www.4x4training.com/w/product/getting-started-off-road-driving-two-day-package-12-12-26-12-13-26-sd-area/
- https://www.4x4training.com/w/upcoming-schedule/
- https://www.overlandexpo.com/socal/
- https://www.rebellerally.com/rebelle-u/
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