A Burgundy Topz club jacket draped a scooter next to other scooters on a sidewalk, photo ©Kate Dana
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Worshipping the Beast: Your Guide to Sacramento’s Legendary Scooter Rally

When October rolls around, so does the beast. The “beast,” in this case, is a vintage scooter, or any manual-shift, metal scooter 25 years or older. This means Piaggio Vespas, Innocenti Lambrettas, and other classic models like Zundapp Bellas, Heinkel Tourists, and Fuji Rabbits.

Worshipping the Beast, Sacramento’s legendary vintage scooter rally, brings together scenic rides, classic bikes, and plenty of two-stroke spirit—all thanks to The Burgundy Topz Scooter Club.

This historic event is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow scooter enthusiasts and peruse the city’s sights. Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

Fast Facts about Worshipping the Beast Scooter Rally

Two people, each on a vintage Lambretta Italian motor scooter, ride together on a street in Sacramento, CA, photo ©Kate Dana
Riding vintage scooters in Midtown Sacramento. All photos in this post are ©Kate Dana unless otherwise noted and may not be used without permission.

Fun Facts about the Burgundy Topz Scooter Club

  • Founded in 1986 in Sacramento, California
  • The club’s notorious, signature events have drawn scooterists from all over California and beyond.
  • The Burgundy Topz now boasts a second generation of riders – their kids!
Vintage Italian scooters lined up on a sidewalk during the day, photo © Kate Dana

The Burgundy Topz SC and Sacramento

The Burgundy Topz Scooter Club was founded in 1986 and has since become famous for hosting some of the most talked-about West Coast events. From their early days of hosting events like Worshipping the Beast and Scootouring, they’ve built a tight-knit community around classic scooters.

Colorful, embroidered rally patches for past events by the Burgundy Topz Scooter Club in Sacramento, CA adorn the back of a jacket, photo ©Kate Dana

After the scorching summer weather burns off and the kids are back in school, Autumn in Sacramento, with its wide, tree-canopied streets and historic, retro neighborhoods, is a fantastic time to visit California’s capital city.

Rally Itinerary and Event Details

The Worshipping the Beast weekend itinerary includes scenic rides, daytime social gatherings, and nighttime DJs. For last-minute changes or updates, check the Burgundy Topz Facebook Page and official club website for details.

Vintage Lambretta scooters lined up on a sidewalk at night, photo © Kate Dana

Friday, October 17th: Evening Meet and Greet

The weekend kicks off at 6:30 pm at The Trap, 6125 Riverside Blvd, one of Sacramento’s oldest bars, for a traditional meet and greet. Bundle up for a cool, short evening ride that ends at another secret bar somewhere in East Sacramento, TBD.

A person checks the ignition on a vintage Lambretta, photo © Kate Dana

Saturday, October 18th: Daytime Ride, Lunch, and Evening DJs

Daytime: Meet at 10:00 am Saturday at Barber’s Automotive Shop, 614 16th Street, for donuts and coffee. Be sure to get gas before! The daytime Delta ride leaves at 11:00 am with a no-host lunch at Al the Wops, 13943 Main Street, in Walnut Grove, CA.

Two people ride in a sidecar while another rides on vintage Vespa scooter, photo © Kate Dana

🍷Staying an extra day? Book Now and indulge in this amazing Clarksburg Wine Tasting Tour🍷

Nighttime: Meet at 6:00 pm at El Rincon, 3030 T Street, for tacos and other tasty Mexican treats. Originally a Richfield gas station, this tiny building, anchoring an awkward 4-way stop in Midtown Sacramento, was built in 1936.

The tiny building at 3030 T Street, originally a Richfield Gas Station, built in 1936
3030 T Street, a landmark on Sacramento’s historic registry, sat vacant for years

The evening ride departs at 7:00 pm-ish to Brownies Bar, 5858 S. Land Park Drive, with DJs Tom Joo AKA Wet Weather, Billy Schult, and Tim Slagle.

A person in a Burgundy Topz club jacket stands next to a vintage Zundapp Bella scooter, photo ©Kate Dana

Sunday, October 19th: Guido Veloce Group Annual Open House

Sunday morning’s short ride meets at 10:00 am at 5 Sips Coffee, 2104 11th Ave., across from William Land Park. The group will depart for a short ride around the city, ending at Barber’s Automotive Shop, 614 16th Street, for their annual open house.

Vintage Italian scooters lined up on a sidewalk outside a cafe photo © Kate Dana

This annual, beloved event, hosted by The Guido Veloce Group, features a pasta sauce contest, delicious Italian bread and antipasti, and a vintage car and bike show. The Burgundy Topz are known for their creative touches, and legendary members often show up with their curious vintage vehicles.

A plate of Italian food with a motorcycle shop in the background, photo © Kate Dana

What to Pack

Though the first weeks of October in Sacramento are often in the high 80s, with comfortable riding weather, and cooler afternoons and evenings. Don’t let the rumor of “Hot-tober” fool you! Pack light layers for daytime rides and a warm jacket for those crisp evening meet-ups.

Two people, on a vintage Lambretta and a Vespa, Italian motor scooters, ride together on a street in Sacramento, CA, photo ©Kate Dana

Bring comfortable riding gear, including your riding jacket, gloves, and helmet. A sharp outfit for Saturday night’s event is always a good idea. If you’re concerned about the chance of rain, bring a poncho or waterproof jacket.

Where to Stay

Sacramento offers a myriad of accommodations from luxury to budget. When visiting for a weekend rally, always consider factors like location, safety, and convenience, and, most of all, secure parking for your vintage scooter. Here are a few select locations in the Capital City.

Recommended
The inside view of room with a bed in a luxury hotel, photo ©Kate Dana

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade

✅ Fully-equipped studios

✅ Central location

✅ Delicious breakfast daily

Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade 

Visitors note: Sacramento is a beautiful city to explore, but it’s important to acknowledge safety first! Rally-goers should plan accordingly by finding safe parking for their vintage bikes and staying aware of their surroundings, especially when at night.

The inside view of room with a bed in a luxury hotel, photo ©Kate Dana

The Citizen Hotel

  • Address: 926 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Reservations: The Citizen Hotel
  • Features: Historic charm with boutique styling, located near Capitol Park.
A bed with fluffy white pillows and soft sheets across from a wall-mounted television and armchair in a hotel room, photo ©Kate Dana

Sacramento Hostel, Hosteling International USA

  • Address: 925 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Reservations:HI Sacramento Hostel
  • Features: an inexpensive, community-like option centrally located in a historic mansion.
  • Budget travelers note: HI USA’s mission as a nonprofit is to serve hostellers. Hostel accommodations are available only to visitors from outside a 30-mile radius of the hostel.
A colorful mural of Johnny Cash painted on the side of a building with a large, white, 1950's vintage car on the street below, photo ©Kate Dana

How to Get to Sacramento

Driving from the North

Driving from cities like Redding or Chico? Take I-5 South to Sacramento, a scenic drive through Northern California’s landscapes.

Driving from the South

Heading up from San Francisco or L.A.? Follow I-80 East from the Bay Area or I-5 North if you’re further south. 

As always with California road trips, it’s wise to leave extra time for traffic, tolls, and construction delays, especially on weekends.

✈️ Flying in? Check prices now and book online!

Flying into Sacramento Airport

Sacramento International Airport (SMF), 6900 Airport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95837, has daily flights from airlines like Southwest, Delta, and Alaska Air. SMF features lovely artwork from local artists, comfy lounges, and tasty farm-to-table dining options.

“Leap,” the 56-foot-long red rabbit inside SMF Terminal B, created by Lawrence Argent for the Sacramento, CA International Airport, photo ©Kate Dana

Don’t miss the huge red rabbit sculpture, “Leap,” by Denver artist Lawrence Argent. Why a local artist wasn’t selected for the focal point of the airport still leaves many confused, but apparently, people still love the creation.

Taking the Greyhound or Flixbus

For riders traveling from nearby cities like San Francisco, Reno, or Santa Rosa, the Greyhound or Flixbus can be a convenient option, with service directly to downtown Sacramento.

Sometimes, due to traffic or endless construction, buses are often delayed by up to 2 hours, so you may want to book a seat on an earlier route.

🚌 Scooter down? Book the Bus. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Riding Your Scooter: Back Roads

Scooting to a rally can be an awesome adventure! For those riding their vintage scooters, the backroads through Woodland and Davis from the Bay Area typically include CA-160, and from Chico or the north, include California Highways 45 and 70.

Smaller highways take longer but provide scenic alternatives and are safer for vintage bikes. It’s also safer to ride in groups. Be wise, take breaks, and plan an overnight stay along the route if you’re coming from further out.

Riders on vintage Lambrettas and Vespas, Italian motor scooters, ride together on the street in Sacramento, CA, photo ©Kate Dana

About Sacramento, CA

Sacramento has come a long way in the past 50 years. Once known mainly as the State Capital, the city has become a hub of culture, history, and outdoor beauty.

🎉 For a full list of places to eat and drink and things to do in Sacramento, check out 2024’s Son Of The Beast: The Ultimate Guide

Today, Sacramento boasts a mix of old and new, with stunning historic architecture alongside trendy neighborhoods filled with food, art, and music. October’s weather is ideal for riding, with sunny days and crisp fall air, perfect for taking in all the city has to offer.

A view of the Capitol building on Capitol Mall in Sacramento, CA photo ©Kate Dana

I moved here in 2007, left to live abroad in 2012, and returned in 2018, happy to be back in Sac! The Farm-to-Fork capital is funky, affordable, and fun, plus the people are pretty awesome here.

Sacramento is a convenient 2-hour drive to many places like Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Reno, Nevada, making it easy to travel out of town for festivals, concerts, and other scooter rallies.

An aerial view of the winding Sacramento river thorough green fields of agriculture and brown fields of hay and soil, photo © Kate Dana

Sacramento is a fun place to ride, and the Topz have hosted great rallies for out-of-town guests for, literally, decades. So come on!

🤩 Book Now and enjoy this Awesome Old Town and Food Walking Tour

Wrap Up

Considered by some longtime scooterists to be one of the year’s best vintage rallies, Worshipping the Beast is definitely a great event to wrap up scooter season.

Whether you’re coming for the rides, the spirited camaraderie, or to experience Sacramento’s unique charm, this is one event you won’t want to miss. See you there!

Cocameca founder Kate Dana with a vintage, orange 1973 Vespa Primavera 125 Italian motor scooter with the gold Tower Bridge in Sacramento, CA, photo ©Kate Dana

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