Defender’s adventurous spirit comes to Temecula, California.
One of the most important names in the world of off-roading, Defender has evolved into its own brand, embodying the spirit of adventure and manufacturing go-anywhere vehicles that combine luxury, sound engineering, and undeniable capability. Destination Defender is a series of festivals that gather enthusiasts and lovers of the outdoors and off-roading to celebrate Defender vehicles and participate in activities surrounding the stunning natural environments that Destination Defender festivals are set in.
This year, Destination Defender is returning to California for Destination Defender West, specifically descending on Galway Downs in Temecula, nestled in southern California’s wine country, from November 14-16. Surrounded by mountains, Destination Defender West will feature an off-road driving course, elevated culinary offerings, live music and entertainment with acts including Grammy-nominated band Kaleo, and enriching outdoor activities like a mountain biking demo course, yoga instruction, equestrian demonstrations, and photography/videography classes.
The festival is also where the winners of the 2025 Defender Service Awards, presented by Chase, will be announced, which honor charitable organizations that do meaningful work by awarding six customized Defender 130 vehicles to the winning US and Canadian organizations to bolster the support they provide to their communities. In addition to the SUVs, the category-winning organizations will also receive $30,000 thanks to the generosity of the award sponsors, as well as $5,000 from Chase for 30 finalists across the six categories to support their efforts.
Rally driver Sara Price will be present at Destination Defender West, sharing her experience as a member of the Defender Rally Team ahead of her participation in the upcoming 2026 Dakar Rally behind the wheel of the Defender Dakar D7X‑R, racing in the ‘Stock’ category of the legendary rally. The race will mark Defender’s anticipated Dakar Rally racing debut.
A display of vehicles from ‘The Great Expeditions’ collection that was previously displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, showcasing the incredible history and heritage that Land Rover vehicles carry, including the 1950 Series I “Pollyanna” that Barbara Toy drove from London to Baghdad, and the ‘Oxford’ Land Rover that took part in the 1955–56 Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition. With a cherished legacy of off-roading excellence, this year’s Destination Defender West is bringing unbridled adventuring spirit to southern California’s winemaking paradise.
Image Source: JLR
