Overview
Merced is a city of 86,000 people (2020) in the San Joaquin Valley of California.
Located along State Route 99 which runs between the agricultural cities of the eastern San Joaquin Valley, Merced is also a gateway to Yosemite via State Route 140. Merced is less than two hours by car from Yosemite National Park to the east and Monterey Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and several beaches to the west.
3 sights · 1 things to do · 5 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Merced
Merced County Courthouse Museum
Merced's Applegate Park Zoo
Few animals here, some chickens and stuff, mostly native animals who can't be returned to their native habitat.
Merced Multicultural Arts Center
Petite art gallery displaying local and national works. You might see a Dias de los Muertos costume.
Lake Yosemite County Park
This park featuring Lake Yosemite adjacent to UC Merced can be a relaxing place to swim, kayak, picnic, or watch sunsets over the oak covered fields of the Central Valley.
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.
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 — 2 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 56 mi away (major hub). Directions
Merced is approximately 110 miles (180 km) southeast of San Francisco and 275 miles (443 km) northwest of 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 Merced County Courthouse Museum, Merced Multicultural Arts Center
- Lunch Sushi Cuisine
- Afternoon Merced's Applegate Park Zoo, Lake Yosemite County Park
- Dinner String's Italian Cafe
- Evening 17th Street Public House
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.
Understand
Climate
Get in
Merced is approximately 110 miles (180 km) southeast of San Francisco and 275 miles (443 km) northwest of Los Angeles.
By car
Merced is served by one major highway (CA 99).
By train
Amtrak serves Merced via its Sacramento-Bay Area-Bakersfield Gold Runner route with seven departures per day. There are also bus connections between Merced and Yosemite National Park. Merced Station is at 324 W 24th St.
By bus
Merced is served by Greyhound bus via its downtown station.
Place Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS)
The YARTS shuttle travels on Highway 140 from Merced to Yosemite Valley, with stops in Merced at the University of California campus, Merced Mall, the local airport, the Amtrak Station, and other locations in Merced. Ticket prices include park entry, and can be purchased from the shuttle driver.
By plane
Go Merced Regional Airport (MCE)
Has passenger service operated by Advanced Air, with direct flights from Las Vegas and Hawthorne.
Get around
By bus
- The Bus provides several routes in and around Merced.
The M5 - Merced South-East route travels between the transportation center bus stop, Greyhound bus stop, Amtrak Station, and hotels along Motel Drive and Parsons Ave.
See
- UC Merced, the University of California's newest campus opened in 2005. The campus, on Lake Road to the northeast of the city, is open to the public.
Do
Do Lake Yosemite County Park
This park featuring Lake Yosemite adjacent to UC Merced can be a relaxing place to swim, kayak, picnic, or watch sunsets over the oak covered fields of the Central Valley.
Buy
Shop Merced Antique Mall
Eat
Eat String's Italian Cafe
Eat Sushi Cuisine
Some of the best sushi in the area. Popular with the students from UC Merced.
Drink
Drink The Partisan
A Merced bar that is a favorite for locals, and for UCM students and faculty. Drink specials every night. Live bands on Saturdays. DJs on Fridays. Open mic every Tuesday. Trivia night on Wednesdays.
Drink 17th Street Public House (17th Street Bar)
Sleep
Go next
- Yosemite National Park - Less than two hours east along State Route 140 by car.
- Merced National Wildlife Refuge - Located about 20 mi southwest of Merced, this refuge hosts huge numbers of cranes, geese and other waterfowl during winter months.
Nearby
Atwater
City / town · 3 listings · 8 mi away
Chowchilla
City / town · 4 listings · 17 mi away
Hilmar
City / town · 1 listings · 22 mi away
Turlock
City / town · 5 listings · 25 mi away
Los Banos
City / town · 6 listings · 26 mi away
Gustine
City / town · 1 listings · 28 mi away
Firebaugh
City / town · 7 listings · 31 mi away
Mariposa
City / town · 13 listings · 31 mi away
My experience
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