CALIFORNIA BACKROADS & SIERRA ROADS • OCTOBER 18–28, 2028
California Backroads & Sierra Roads Tour 2028
11 days through the California that doesn’t show up on postcards.
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite, Death Valley, Big Sur and Malibu — from the mountains to the Pacific.
There are trips you take — and there are trips that feel like a movie unfolding in front of you. California is one of them. But this isn’t the California of postcards and mass tourism. Here, we trade traffic for empty roads, obvious routes for legendary backroads, and monotonous miles for some of the best riding roads in the United States.
The idea is simple: extract the best of California for those who truly love riding. From the Sierra Nevada to the Pacific Ocean — from Yosemite to Death Valley — from alpine roads to sunset in Malibu — this expedition was designed for motorcyclists. Instead of grinding through endless tourist stretches of coastline, we built a route with less traffic, less fog, more curves, more mountain, more riding, more real California.
The coast comes in as a visual reward. The Sierra Nevada comes in as the protagonist of the experience. It’s a Fly&Ride Premium format tour — you fly to San Francisco, and the premium BMW is already waiting for you at the hotel. Full UpSerra logistics: superior accommodations, specialized guides, support vehicle, professional photo coverage. Passport and standard motorcycle license accepted.
IN IMAGES
Meet UpSerra
UpSerra institutional video — the spirit of the operation, the team and the quality of what we deliver on every expedition.
THE ROUTE
San Francisco → Sierra Nevada → Yosemite → Death Valley → Big Sur → Los Angeles
Smart West Coast · ~3,000 km · premium asphalt · legendary backroads
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
11 days across real California
EXPEDITION MEMORY
California in images
Tioga Pass · Death Valley · Malibu · Sierra Nevada · Napa Valley.
SMART WEST COAST
Less traffic. More curves. More real California.
Instead of running the coast end-to-end in PCH traffic, we built a much more balanced route. The Sierra Nevada comes in as the protagonist — high-altitude roads with very little traffic, pristine asphalt and landscapes among the best in the world for riding.
The California coast comes in at the right dose, at the right time: Big Sur and Malibu when the morning fog has already lifted and the light is perfect. The premium BMW is already waiting for you in San Francisco — you fly in, adjust the bike and ride off.
An expedition where mountains, deserts and ocean meet in one of the most iconic regions on the planet. From the Sierra Nevada to the Pacific Ocean. From Yosemite to Death Valley. From every curve to every sunset.
Documentation — World Standard
- → Valid passport (min. 6 months validity)
- → Valid US B1/B2 visa or ESTA (schedule well in advance)
- → Standard Category A motorcycle license (+1 year) — the rental shop accepts standard international motorcycle licenses
- → International credit card with USD 2,000 available (bike deposit)
- → Flight to San Francisco (arrival by Oct 18) + LAX → home (departure from Oct 28)
- → International travel insurance mandatory (min. coverage USD 115,000)
Equipment & Experience
- → Experience with large motorcycles — the BMWs weigh 250 kg, requiring comfort with the weight
- → Helmet (mandatory in California), armored jacket, gloves and boots
- → Clothing for temperature swings: altitude (cold) and Death Valley (extreme heat)
- → Basic English recommended — bilingual guides present at all times
THE PACKAGE
What’s included
INCLUDED
- UpSerra-prepped BMW R1300GS / R1250GS rental
- 10 nights in superior-category hotels (3★/4★)
- Breakfast at every hotel
- Specialized UpSerra guiding
- Support vehicle with luggage and mechanical assistance
- Professional photo and video coverage
- Initial briefing in San Francisco
- Complete route and overnight-stop planning
NOT INCLUDED
- International airfare (home country ↔ USA)
- International travel insurance (mandatory, arranged by the rider)
- Fuel during the tour
- Meals beyond breakfast
- California tolls and ferries
- Motorcycle deposit and liability during the trip
- Optional activities (Yosemite entry fees, wineries)
- Personal expenses
- Tourist taxes and local fees — paid directly by the participant
SEAT RESERVATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
What motorcycle will I ride?
Premium BMW — the exact model is confirmed close to departure, always within BMW’s adventure/touring line. The partner rental shop accepts a standard Category A motorcycle license.
Do I need a US visa?
Most international riders need a B1/B2 visa or ESTA to enter the US, depending on nationality. The consulate interview process can take months — plan well in advance. UpSerra advises on the full process in the included pre-trip assistance.
What’s the weather like in California in October?
Excellent for motorcycles. San Francisco in October has temperatures between 14–20°C. The Sierra Nevada at altitude can drop to 5–15°C — bring layers. Death Valley in October is milder (25–35°C, without summer’s extreme heat). Big Sur and LA: 20–28°C, clear skies.
Is it a hard tour? What riding level is required?
Intermediate to advanced. The roads are all high-quality asphalt, but the variety of situations is large: altitude, technical mountain curves, desert sections with heat. The prerequisite is prior experience with large motorcycles (1000cc+).
Does the route pass through Big Sur during the day or at night?
During the day, at the ideal time. The UpSerra strategy is to schedule Big Sur for the afternoon, when the typical morning fog has already dissipated and the light is right for photos and safe riding.
Where are the bike pickup and drop-off?
Pickup in San Francisco on Day 01 (Oct 18). Drop-off in Los Angeles on Day 11 (Oct 28), the same day as the return flight. UpSerra coordinates the full process with the partner rental shop.
INVESTMENT
Pricing
Premium BMW motorcycle included. International flights to/from the USA paid by the rider.
| Modality | Price |
|---|---|
| Solo rider — single room | USD 14,600 |
| Rider — twin shared room (per person) | USD 13,800 |
| Couple — double room (total for the couple) | USD 23,900 |
Reserve your seat on the California Backroads & Sierra Roads 2028 Tour Oct 2028
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SMALL GROUP · LIMITED SEATS
It’s not about San Francisco or Los Angeles.
It’s about everything that happens between one road and the next.
Reserve your seat by talking directly with our team.
@UPSERRA_ • #ABOUTFRIENDSANDDESTINATIONS