In June 2021, my boyfriend Stephen and I decided to take a spontaneous road trip with two stops: three days in Reno, Nevada and 24 hours in Sacramento, California.
While we usually spend a little more time planning our vacations, we badly needed a weekend away. Both Stephen and I had to study for upcoming exams for work. Stephen’s exam was scheduled on a Monday morning in Sacramento, but he was too busy at work to focus on studying for the test. Plus, the two of us were extremely stressed. We figured a road trip would allow us time to both relax and study. Even better, we could explore a couple of new cities!
Our three days in Reno were over before we knew it. Stephen and I found ourselves on our way to Sacramento, California where we’d spend the next 24 hours exploring and where Stephen would take his California state contractor’s license exam!
Check-In at the Hampton Inn & Suites
Whenever Stephen and I travel for only one or two nights, we almost always book a room at a Hampton Inn & Suites. All of their rooms are clean, modern, and reasonably priced. Plus, they provide a delicious complimentary breakfast and free WiFi. This is really convenient when you’re traveling for business or just stopping by for a night like we were.
Upon arriving in Sacramento, Stephen and I checked in to a King Room at the Hampton Inn & Suites at CSUS. We chose a Hampton Inn at this location because it was close to the highway and less than 10 minutes away from the building where Stephen was scheduled to take his contractor’s license exam the following day.
Our check-in process went smoothly. Stephen and I were greeted with a smile and free cookies, which we greatly appreciated after being stuck in traffic for hours on the way over! We quickly headed upstairs to our room to unpack.
Room
Our King Room was simple, but extremely clean and comfortable. In addition to the typical bed, desk, dresser, and nightstands, we were also provided with a lounge chair and portable table. The lounge chair proved to be the perfect spot for me to work while Stephen took his exam the next day.
Our bathroom was large and far more luxurious than I expected. The bathroom counter had plenty of space for two people. We were also provided with several extra towels, soaps, and even a shower cap.
Best of all, our shower was one of the best showers I’ve ever used. In fact, it was so amazing, I took a 30 minute shower for no reason!
Dinner at Oak Park Brewing Co
Even though we checked in to our hotel at 3pm, Stephen and I were hungry. We decided to head out to Oak Park Brewing Co for an early dinner!
Oak Park is a cute neighborhood in Sacramento. A college town, Oak Park has major artsy/laid back vibes. Oak Park Brewing is located on a picturesque street lined with coffee shops, bookstores, and oak trees.
Stephen and I ordered a meal and a couple of beers at a counter inside, and then headed outdoors to the patio to wait for our food. Oak Park Brewing Co was decorated with picnic tables and canopies to provide shade. It was cute and laid back- exactly what we needed after a stressful road trip!
We ordered a few 8oz pours of beers on tap to taste them, but the Pie of the Tiger Apricot Sour from Full Circle Brewing Company was our favorite. We also ordered an Oak Park Burger and Fried Chicken Tenders, both of which were delicious!
After relaxing and enjoying our tasty meal, Stephen and I walked around the neighborhood of Oak Park for a bit before heading back to our hotel so Stephen could study for his contractor’s license exam the following morning.
Lunch at Zocalo
Luckily, all of Stephen’s studying paid off, because he passed his contractor’s license exam with flying colors on Monday! To celebrate, we decided to go out to lunch in downtown Sacramento.
A quick Yelp search of restaurants brought up Zocalo, a highly rated Mexican restaurant a couple of blocks away from the California State Capitol Building. We immediately grabbed a table and ordered two celebratory margaritas.
To start our meal, Stephen and I demolished a basket of chips and salsa as well as some delicious shrimp ceviche. What can I say- sometimes snack foods are the best foods! For our entrees, we ordered a Shrimp Quesadilla and a Burrito Bowl. Both dishes were outstanding!
To wrap up our 24 hours in Sacramento, Stephen and I walked around downtown Sacramento to stretch our legs before our drive back to the Bay Area. We loved seeing the diverse architecture and lush greenery of the city.
While my visit to Sacramento was brief, it was enjoyable. I can’t wait to go back and explore the city again- hopefully for longer than 24 hours next time!
