Merced is 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.

Understand

Climate

Merced
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       2.6     54 37       2.4     62 40       2.1     68 43       0.9     75 46       0.5     83 52       0.1     91 57       0     96 62       0     95 60       0.2     90 56       0.8     80 49       1.3     65 41       2.1     55 37 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       66     12 3       61     17 4       53     20 6       23     24 8       13     28 11       2.5     33 14       0     36 17       0     35 16       5.1     32 13       20     27 9       33     18 5       53     13 3 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Get in

Merced is served by one major highway (CA 99).

Amtrak's Sacramento/Bay Area-Bakersfield San Joaquin train line runs six times a day, which also offers bus connections between Merced and Yosemite National Park.

In addition to this Merced is served by Greyhound bus via its downtown station.

Merced Regional Airport has passenger service operated by Great Lakes Airlines', with direct flights to and from Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Visalia.

• Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS). Shuttle operates from mid-May through late-September. 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. (updated May 2015)

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

The University of California's newest campus, UC Merced opened in September of 2005. The campus is open to the public.

• 1 Merced National Wildlife Refuge (auto tour loop located off of W. Sandy Mush Rd). The Merced National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 10,258 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, vernal pools, and riparian areas. It was established in 1951 to attract wintering waterfowl from adjacent farmland where their foraging activities were causing crop damage. Today the refuge hosts the largest wintering populations of lesser Sandhill cranes and Ross’ geese along the Pacific Flyway. Each autumn more than 20,000 cranes and 60,000 arctic-nesting geese terminate their annual migrations from Alaska and Canada to make the Refuge home for six months. The best chance of seeing the cranes is at sunrise and sunset - during the day the cranes mostly leave the refuge to feed in nearby fields. Other birds that are found in the refuge include Swainson’s hawks, tri-colored blackbirds, marsh wrens, mallards, gadwall, cinnamon teal, and burrowing owls. Most of the refuge is closed to the general public, but an auto tour loop is available that crosses several of the refuge's different habitats. 

Do

• New Energy Yoga, 755 E Yosemite Ave, ☏ +1 209-384-9642. Take a yoga class at Merced's only yoga studio and get ready for that Yosemite hike. 

Buy

• Merced Mall, 713 Merced Mall, ☏ +1 209 723-3981. 
• Merced Antique Mall, 320 W Main St, ☏ +1 209 722-6894. 

Eat

• Bella Luna Bakery Cafe, 350 West Main St, ☏ +1 209 383-1700. 

• Cafe Sol, 3361 G St. 

• Forté Frozen Yogurt, 319 West Main St, ☏ +1 209 349-8763. 

• King Asian, 360 W Main St, ☏ +1 209 383-9838. 

• Paul's Place Restaurant & Bkry, 2991 G St, ☏ +1 209 723-1339. 

• Pinocchio’s, 460 W Main Stree, ☏ +1 209 580-4418. 

• Pocket 8's, 9 W Alexander Ave, ☏ +1 209 384-0212. 

• Sam Cafe, 235 W 12th St, ☏ +1 209 383-5350. 

• String's Italian Cafe, 731 E Yosemite Ave, ☏ +1 209 383-9777. 

Drink

• The Partisan, 432 West Main St. Opens at 4, closing time varies. A Merced bar that is a favorite for both locals and UCM students and faculty. Open from Mon-Sat, drink specials every night. Live music from local/national independent musicians every Tuesday and Saturday, open mic night every Monday, Rock Band/Karaoke every Wednesday, and a DJ on Thursday and Friday. 

Sleep

• 1 Best Western Inn, 1033 Motel Dr, ☏ +1 209 723-2163, fax: +1 209 384-7272. 
• 2 Courtyard Merced, 750 Motel Dr, ☏ +1 209 725-1221, fax: +1 209 725-1222. Check-out: Noon. 
• 3 Holiday Inn Express, 151 South Parsons Ave, ☏ +1 209 384-3700. 
• 4 Motel 6 Merced North, 1410 V St, ☏ +1 209 384-2181, fax: +1 209 722-2152. 
• 5 HI-Merced Home Hostel, ☏ +1 209 725-0407. 
• 6 Vagabond Inn Merced, 1215 R St, ☏ +1 209 722-2738, fax: +1 209 723-4734. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. 

Go next

• Yosemite is less than two hours east along State Route 140 by car.

Routes through Merced

Sacramento ← Atwater ←	N  S	→ Chowchilla → Fresno
Gustine ← Jct N S ←	W  E	→ Mariposa → Yosemite N.P.
Sacramento / Emeryville ← Modesto ←	N  S	→ Madera → Bakersfield