The city of Merced was established in 1872, just a few years after the formation of Merced County in 1855. The arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad through the Central Valley brought a new importance to the area and to Merced. It was selected as the new county seat, replacing Snelling, because of the arrival of rail transportation. In 1875 a new courthouse was completed. That building is now the Courthouse Museum.
Primarily an agricultural region, the addition of canals and irrigation changed the crops produced in Merced County. The county has long been one of the top agricultural producers in the county with a wide variety of crops grown, as well as dairy production. The city of Merced is ideally located to provide transportation for those crops. It is a crossroads served by two railroads and three highways.
Merced has now grown to a population of more than 70,000 and continues to expand. The country’s newest university, the
University of California Merced has recently opened. The addition of the University has spurred another era of growth as the city moves into the twenty-first century. Although agriculture remains a mainstay, technology is becoming a major force.
Visit Yosemite from Merced and retrace the original route along Hwy 140, established in 1926. This was the first route into Yosemite that brought travelers directly to the valley floor along the Merced River Canyon.
Visit Merced Travel
Merced Courthouse Museum 621 W 21st St., Merced, CA 95340
The Merced Courthouse Museum is home to 8,500 square feet of both permanent and rotating exhibits which deptict the history of Merced County and the settlers of the Great Central Valley. The courthouse, built in 1875, is one of the oldest historical buildings in California. The courthouse is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Admission to the Courthouse is Free of charge.
Applegate Park and Zoo
1045 W 25th St
Merced, California 95340
Applegate Park Zoo is home to currently 75 Native California mammals, birds and reptiles, most of which came from wildlife rescue centers. The zoo is open Monday-Sunday, weather permitting. Winter hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm and Spring-Fall hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm. Admission is free for children under 3 and to all Merced Zoological Society Members. Admission for ages 3-10 is $1.25, ages 11-59 is $1.75 and ages 60+ is $0.75.
Merced Agricultural Museum
4498 E. Hwy 140
Merced, CA 95340
The Agricultural museum features antique gas engines, farm equipment, metal toys, chuck wagon, demonstrations and much more.
Castle Air Museum
5050 Santa Fe Drive
Atwater, CA 95301
With the closing of the Castle Air Force Base in 1994, came the non-profit organization called the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc. They assumed custody of the collection of aircrafts and built a museum to display the restored historic aircrafts. Come and see warbirds such as the Convair RB-36H Peacemaker, the Boeing B-52, the B-25 Mitchell, the B-29, the Avro Vulcan B-2 and so many more! The museum is open May – October from 9:00am to 5:00 pm and November – April from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Castle Science and Technology Center
460 Challenger Way # N
Atwater, CA 95301
At the Castle Science and Technology Center everyone can experience the thrill and adventure of simulated space flights, rocket construction and launches, a planetarium, CSI scenario, Columbus’ voyage and more while learning about and practicing important fundamentals of science, mathematics and technology. The Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
Playhouse Merced
452 W. Main Street
Merced, CA 95340
Playhouse Merced was founded in 1994 as the Merced Center for the Performing Arts. It has since grown into the area’s premier theatre organization, presenting a Mainstage season of at least a dozen shows annually in its two performance spaces. The youth Conservatory offers after-school instruction in theatre, voice and dance while providing educational opportunities through outreach and presents two theatre summer camps for youth. Performance schedule is Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday Matinee at 2:00pm.
Multicultural Arts Center
645 W Main St,
Merced, CA 95340
The Arts Center manages 4 professional galleries, an arts-based day program for adults with developmental disabilities, and an arts in education program. Come to downtown Merced to see high quality art in a comfortable a environment. The Arts Center is free and open to the public Monday-Friday 10:00am to 4pm and Saturday until 2pm.
UC Merced
5200 North Lake Road
Merced, CA 95343
UC Merced is the first new American research university in the 21st century, with a mission of research, teaching and service. UC Merced is the first new UC campus built since 1965; the campus opened September 5, 2005. Current schools include the School of Engineering, the School of Natural Sciences and the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts. One major goal for UC Merced is to become the greenest campus in the country. Consistent with their sister campus such as UCLA and UC Berkeley, academic research is a critical part of UC Merced's mission. The process of discovery provides students with a deeper understanding of the world and its cultural, social, natural and engineered systems. As of May 2009, six campus buildings have earned LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), with a seventh earning LEED Silver.
Lake Merced
Lake Road
Merced, CA
Lake Yosemite is a man-made reservoir owned by Merced Irrigation District. The lake's water is distributed to local growers to support the region's strong agriculture industry. The park at Lake Yosemite is operated by the County of Merced. Sailing, water skiing, and kayaking are only a few of the water related activities enjoyed at the lake. The entrance fee is $6.00 per day.
Lake McClure and Lake McSwain
Lake McClure Rd
Snelling, CA
Whether you like to fish, boat, swim, camp or just want to enjoy a picnic day at the lake, Lake McClure and Lake McSwain offer your family some of California's best water-oriented recreation areas. Whatever your favorite great escape, Lake McClure and McSwain have it in a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Lake McClure and Lake McSwain Recreation Areas are nestled in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills of Central California where bright sunny skies and pine and oak trees flourish. Only a short drive from the Central Valley and an easy drive from much of the Bay Area and Sacramento regions, the Lakes are located just east of the City of Modesto in the celebrated Gold Rush County.
Merced City Bike Paths
The City of Merced has one of the finest city bikeway systems in the nation and has recently added a number of new lanes and routes to this extensive system. Bicyclists can follow a route to just about any area in the City. We’re particularly proud of the Class 1 bike paths along Bear Creek and Black Rascal Creek. Each of these bikepaths extends from McKee Road (east) to Highway 59 (west). Detailed maps are available at the Parks and Community Services office.
Rancho Del Ray Golf Course
5250 Green Sands Ave
Atwater, CA 95301-9528
Located in the small town of Atwater California, Rancho Del Rey offers a semi private 18-hole course. The course has been described by some as a fast course. The course was designed by Bob E. Baldock and offers a new challenge around every curve in the course.
Bed and Breakfast
575 West North Bear Creek Drive
Merced, CA 95348
The Bear Creek Inn is a premier Merced bed and breakfast, historically known as "The White House". It is a Colonial-style home on spacious grounds with gardens and fruit trees. There are three suites and a cottage. Memorable breakfasts are served in the main dining room. Serving the business leisure guest, the Inn is owned by descendants of early Merced County farmers who maintain the farming history and inn keeping traditions of the Hooper family since 1850.
Traveling to Yosemite
Merced is known as the Gateway to Yosemite. Yosemite National Park is home to more than 1,200 square miles of scenic beauty in the Western Sierra Nevada Mountains established in 1890. Take a day trip or stay a few nights to see some of the most breathtaking views nature has to offer. This is a great website if you want to learn more about Yosemite, activities to do and places to stay (from rugged camping to luxurious lodging). There is truly something for everyone in this national park.
Traveling to Murphy’s
Murphy’s is often called the Queen of the Sierra. It was voted one of the top 10 coolest small towns in the United States. Many original gold rush-era buildings are still in use today, including the Murphys Historic Hotel and Lodge, a registered State Historic Landmark which once hosted names such as General Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain, Horatio Alger, and Charles Bolton, aka notorious outlaw “Black Bart.” There are many great activities to partake in including guided historic tours, hiking, wine tasting at dozens of wineries, music and theatre.
