It’s Friday. You just got off of work. The kids have been picked up from school. The sun is out, so it’s perfect T-shirt weather – warm enough to appreciate but not overbearing. This is one of the best times to head out of the house and take the family to the SoCal fairgrounds for the 2023 Sand Sports Super Show!
UTV Sports Photo by Kyler Smith
As we found a parking spot deep in the already filled lot, we could feel the energy in the air as we were met with the hustle and bustle of attendees making their way to the entrance. Once inside the venue, a faint scent of manure from the previous events at the grounds was accompanied by a nice, smooth coastal ocean breeze from the nearby Newport Beach.
Right out of the gate, we were immersed in a powersports retail paradise. With a wide range of off-road recreational areas within close (enough) proximity – and Baja California a mere two hours to the south, we can really believe many of the products available there have been tested and designed to withstand all the harsh environments which Mother Nature can provide. It was also pretty clear early on that no matter your level of interest in dirt recreation, there was going to be something for you to enjoy either in your backyard donut track, on a joyride down a sketchy trail, soaring across the dunes, or in preparation for your next go at the Baja 1000.
Lots of shiny new parts, bright lights, and loud music were the norm as the sun began to set over the Pacific. As we walked from one area to the next of the Sand Sports Super Show, all of our senses were met with a fresh experience. The sounds, the smells, and, of course, the sights to see were more than enough to keep us occupied into the night.
About the Author: Kyler Smith is an all around off-road adventure advocate. Whether it’s filming, photographing, or driving in the dirt, you can guarantee to find him there with sand in his shoes and a smile on his face. He is a self-proclaimed Ocotillo Wells local but he also enjoys spending time in Baja California and the Sierra Nevadas. If you see him out there, he will likely be cruising in his V8 4Runner or Suzuki Samurai.