Overview
Los Banos, also called by the Spanish name Los Baños, is a city in Merced County in California's San Joaquin Valley.
2 sights · 1 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Los Banos
Bank of Los Banos
Miller Plaza
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 96°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Merced)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MCE Merced Regional Macready Field, Merced — 24 mi away. Directions
- SCK Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Stockton — 61 mi away. Directions
- SJC Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose — 63 mi away (major hub). Directions
At the junction of State Highways 152 and 165, with Interstate 5 being within 10 miles of the city. Los Banos is 70 miles from Fresno, 85 miles from Monterey, 110 miles from Yosemite National Park, 120 miles from San Francisco, 125 miles from Sacramento, and 265 miles from Los Angeles.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bank of Los Banos
- Lunch Petro Diner
- Afternoon Miller Plaza
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
At the junction of State Highways 152 and 165, with Interstate 5 being within 10 miles of the city. Los Banos is 70 miles from Fresno, 85 miles from Monterey, 110 miles from Yosemite National Park, 120 miles from San Francisco, 125 miles from Sacramento, and 265 miles from Los Angeles.
See
See Bank of Los Banos
See Miller Plaza
Eat
Eat Petro Diner
Yes a restaurant at a gas station / truck stop. Reasonable steak/burger meals with good salad bar.
Sleep
Stay La Plaza Inn Los Banos
Go next
- Santa Nella – Home to Pea Soup Andersen's and a good stopping point for travelers on Interstate 5. About 20 minutes away.
- Hollister – 152 West to 156 West. Home to motorcycle rallies around July 4. About 50 minutes away with no traffic
- Fresno – 152 East to 99 South. Home to Fresno State University and the gateway to Yosemite from points south. About 1 hour 15 min away.
- Gilroy – 152 West. Home to Gilroy Gardens and the Gilroy Garlic Festival. About 1 hour away with no traffic
- San Francisco – 5 North to 580 West. About 2 hours away with no traffic. Make sure to allow lots of time during peak hours.
- Los Angeles – 5 South. About 4 to 6 hours away. There is not a lot of services on Interstate 5 until the Grapevine.
Nearby
Santa Nella
City / town · 4 listings · 10 mi away
Gustine
City / town · 1 listings · 16 mi away
Hilmar
City / town · 1 listings · 24 mi away
Atwater
City / town · 3 listings · 25 mi away
Firebaugh
City / town · 7 listings · 26 mi away
Merced
City / town · 20 listings · 26 mi away
Turlock
City / town · 5 listings · 31 mi away
Chowchilla
City / town · 4 listings · 32 mi away
My experience
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