Discover Merced
Accommodation in Merced
When looking for a hotel in Merced, you can start with the kind of stay you have planned: Are you mainly interested in county history and art, parks and wildlife, or an event date? These different themes can help you tailor your travel plans.
Culture and history
The Merced County Courthouse Museum focuses on the history of Merced County and the settlers of the Great Central Valley. It has 8,500 square feet of permanent and changing exhibits. This means that permanent displays sit alongside exhibits whose content may change. The museum is housed in a three-story courthouse built in 1875, considered one of California’s oldest historic buildings. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Check the hours before you arrive.
Another historic landmark is the Merced Theatre, which opened on October 31, 1931. The Merced Multicultural Arts Center presents local, regional, state and national artists. La Galería features exhibitions that connect the UC Merced campus with artists, ideas and communities from California and beyond. The cultural offerings therefore differ considerably: county history, a broad range of featured artists and exhibitions connected to the campus are all represented.
Zoo and Applegate Park
The Merced Applegate Zoo is home to about 75 mammals, birds and reptiles. Many are native Californian species from wildlife rehabilitation centers. Along with the approximate number, their origins offer another indication of the zoo’s focus: many of the animals are connected with California wildlife and the work of rehabilitation centers.
Applegate Park offers a range of ways to get active, play and take a break outdoors. Facilities include a bike path, a picnic shelter, a playground, a skate park, a tennis court and volleyball nets. There are also shaded picnic areas, a small lake and open green spaces. When planning your time outdoors, you can choose among these options depending on whether you’re looking for activity, a picnic break or open green space.
Merced County Fair and Merced Fruit Barn
The Merced County Fair is a five-day agricultural fair held every June. If you’re planning your trip around the fair, check the dates and program in advance. This will let you coordinate your visit with the actual event dates rather than relying only on its recurring June schedule.
The Merced Fruit Barn offers locally grown fruit, nuts and fresh produce. Product availability may change with the seasons. Visitors can also see the farm animals there; what’s offered on site may change as well. The produce and the chance to visit the farm animals are different aspects of the experience to consider when planning your visit.
Practical information
Free parking for extended stays is available at various locations in Merced along the Hwy-140 route. These include locations near Merced Transpo and in the downtown garage. The parking locations are within walking distance of bus stops. If you plan to use these parking options, check current availability and bus travel conditions before setting out.
Explore more destinations: Atwater, Gustine, Los Banos, Winton, Stevinson.
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