This will be for campus and for going out on paved trails around my house. Suggestions on models to look for or similar quality bikes is very appreciated.

I am 5-7 and around 130 lbs.

I would also like to spend less then $250 if at all possible.


Thank you.

That's a healthy budget for what you are seeking.
IMO craigslist is the way to go (check Sacramento? and any close cities) constantly check not only bikes by owners but also in general.
Check on Sunday and due to the holiday, Monday (start checking ads now to get comfortable with the site)
If you even THINK it's a good deal and might work, DO NOT HESITATE and respond to the ad ASAP (great deals where I live can go in minutes...
You are probably looking for a MTB around 17" (frame size) but that's just a ballpark and a test ride will be necessary.

I live in a campus community and colorful simple/single speed fixies are real popular for the riding you describe.
Reserve some of your budget for a good lock (it's terrible where I live) and if the bike has quick release saddle/wheels, consider swapping those out to non quick release (deters theft, expecially of your saddle!)...

Good luck - I see simple, older, well built 90's cro-mo framed MTBs all the time for under $100 (it just takes the commitment of a day or two watching craigs....)

But seriously, IF you see a bike just posted that appears to be a great deal - DO not hesitate and reply immediately... you can reply and then google/bikepedia the bike after... and then change your mind....

also you will see a bunch of $200 bikes that were only $369/most likely $299 on sale when bought... personally $100 would be tops of what I would pay for such a bike if it was in terrific condition and perfect for the rider...

Here's an example of a reasonable fixie (might be too tall for you and definitely a lil far...lol)
Fix-D Magna Flip Flop Single Speed Bike
Edit - LOL never mind on this! It's a $99 Target bike!!!! My bad...as I note below, not real knowledeable about these! Wow what a farce posting on craigs....!!! I added the link to show what one of the bikes (style) I see many student riding as an example.
Sorry again!

Here's a beautiful, light, older (aluminum) cannondale that I had to sell recently (just too tall for me)
If I ever run across this model again in a smaller frame, it will be my go to commuter.
Bought at a garage sale, cleaned up (not bad to begin with), lightly tuned (again not bad) and switched the saddle to a new cannondale... sold in a few hours for $160

Wow that is a nice garage sale find. How much did you purchase it for? As for Fixies is there a big learning curve to them? I have heard they are somewhat harder to come to a stop.

Davis, where bikes grow on trees

Bike was $75 (but found after attending many (100s) of sales (and in this case the sale had a wheel/tire on the drive so I asked about any bikes... this was down in the basement...) saddle was an ebay steal for 18 shipped
but I have found great deals on craigs (recently a free 90s fuji mtb) fixed up for a tall friend but even the 22" frame did not suffice, sold it in a few hours for $65 (one new tire/tube and a few hours cleaning/adjusting - trigger shifters were not working after sitting for years ... solidified grease, took them apart cleaned with white lightning/trifoil back together and shifted pretty good ... chain was stretched a lil but to change out chain/cassette for occassion skip not worth it)...


as to braking, perhaps I used fixie loosely (haven't owned or built one yet) but the linked bike has front and rear hand brakes.
Generally they are simple solid builds with minimal (no shifting components) to maintain (great for students) and can be economical accordingly while snazzy looking...

Don't know where you're school is, but around here (RTP, North Carolina) there's a bike rebuilder who sells his bikes on CL. Students from NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke and NC Central buy bikes from him. His prices are inflated, but he does a nice job on the rebuilds. I'd look on CL around you for someone who re-builds old bikes. The best buys are old MTBs, usually under $200.