Under $100: Sacramento

Start your journey in Sacramento at Tower Café, a place that merges traditional Mexican fare with the tranquility of Zen Buddhism. Sit outside on their immaculate tree-shaded patio while enjoying dishes like carnitas de mariachi — roast pork set inside a corn tortilla with eggs, jalapeños and a homemade chili diablo sauce — for just $14.95.

At the Crocker Art Museum, visitors can enjoy the works of famous Californian painters and artisans from across two centuries. Featured artists include impressionist Armin Hansen and classicist David Ligare.

Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, California © Torbakhopper | Flickr

Next, head over to one of the two Dad’s Sandwiches locations and snack on a tasty hot sandwich like the Hot Blonde, featuring chicken and avocado, with pepper plant sauce and a garlic spread, between two slices of sourdough bread for $7.75.

The California State Railroad Museum is a great place to visit to learn the history of the state’s innovation in railway transportation technology. During the summer, visitors can even take a ride on the Granite Rock No. 10 steam locomotive down the Sacramento Southern Railroad.

Western Pacific 913 at the California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento © Loco Steve | Flickr

For dinner, try Hot Italian in Midtown, where the walls are decorated with hanging old bicycles. Here, the dish of choice is the arcuri panini with cherry tomatoes and Sierra Nevada goat cheese for $12.

At night, one of the most lively and sought-after destinations in Sacramento is not a nightclub or youthful bar, but rather a blues dive. The Torch Club is the place to go to find both up-and-comers and legends alike in the blues game.

The Torch Club, Sacramento, California © Nick Ares | Flickr