Gateway To Yosemite

Spend a day, spend the night, spend the weekend! Merced is a unique city, filled with warm, friendly people that will instantly make visitors feel welcome. Our city offers a wide variety of attractions, historical sites, accommodations and dining opportunities that are sure to please.

Unsure of where to start? Try Merced Visitor Services and California Welcome Center, 710 W. 16th Street. Inside, our friendly staff will help you find information on all the exciting things to see and do in our vibrant community. Maps of the area, brochures, YARTS bus schedules, information on local restaurants and hotel accommodations are all available. If it's souvenirs you are looking for, the California Welcome Center has them. T-shirts, books, hats, locally grown products and UC Merced merchandise are just a few of the great items you can pick up here. Arts and Culture are thriving in this proud community, from the galleries at our Multicultural Center to the live performances at Playhouse Merced, there is sure to be something for everyone!

Try planning your trip around one of these great events. The Merco Credit Union Cycling Classic, presented by McLane brings world class riders from around the globe each spring. The Merced Downtown Grand Prix features live entertainment, exciting racing action and delicious food. Kids’ activities include the Merced Mall Pee Wee Classic and the Merced Sun Star Breakaway Zone. Be mesmerized by the thundering rhythm of drums, colorful regalia and precision dance performances at Tahiti Fete, an annual Polynesian cultural dance competition held in March at the Merced County Fairgrounds. Come celebrate with all of our graduates in May at our Annual Cap & Town Festival in Downtown Merced. Join the celebration of Merced County’s rich agricultural roots, live entertainment and rodeo at the Merced County Fair in June.  Bring the kids to Arts! Merced, where families can create works of art together at the many interactive project stations. Vendors and regional artists demonstrate and display their wares during this October cultural event. 

While you're exploring Merced, venture out into its County. Go see Hilmar Cheese, the world's largest cheese factory, visit the best military air museum in the country, Castle Air Museum, or take your family to view fascinating NASA displays from Johnson Space Center in Houston at Castle Science & Technology Center. Appreciate the architecture of California’s newest University of California campus, UC Merced or venture through the historical exhibits depicting the history of Merced County and the early settlers of the Central Valley, in the Merced County Courthouse Museum which was designed in 1875 by State Capital Architect, Albert A. Bennett.

And who can for forget, Merced is the Gateway to Yosemite. Whether summer, fall, winter or spring, Yosemite is a picture perfect destination for couples, families, or personal time.

You are invited! Come play, stay, and experience Merced!