Merced
Around Merced
Photo: Mark Miller · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · California · 296k people
Merced
“Gateway to Yosemite”
The gateway to Yosemite, rooted in the valley.
UC Merced GoldUC Merced BlueValley Green
Welcome to Merced, the heart of the Central Valley. You'll find a friendly community surrounded by almond orchards and the Merced River. Come say hi and share what you love about this place.
Clubs for Merced
No clubs for Merced yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Merced. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Merced. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- UC Merced campus Newest University of California campus, known for modern architecture.
- Castle Air Museum Vintage aircraft collection at the former Castle Air Force Base.
- Lake Yosemite Popular local lake for picnics, fishing, and boating.
- Applegate Park and Zoo Small community zoo with a playground and picnic areas.
- Merced County Fairgrounds Hosts the county fair and other community events.
- Merced National Wildlife Refuge Winter home to thousands of waterfowl and cranes.
- Outdoors Walk the Merced River Trail
- Outdoors Picnic and swim at Lake Yosemite
- With kids Applegate Park and Zoo
- With kids Merced County Fair
- Evenings Grab a drink at a downtown bar
- Evenings Catch a show at the Merced Theatre
- Locals love Taquerias
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Merced County Fair June The big summer fair with rides, livestock, and concerts.
- Merced Summer Concert Series July Free outdoor concerts in downtown parks on summer evenings.
- Merced Art Hop First Friday Monthly downtown gallery walk featuring local artists.
- Castle Air Museum Open House April Annual air show and vintage aircraft display at the museum.
- Merced Harvest Festival October Celebrates the valley's fall harvest with food and music.
Merced has a classic Central Valley climate: hot, dry summers and cool, foggy winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect — mild days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “The Valley”
- The Central Valley region
- “The river”
- The Merced River
- “The UC”
- UC Merced
- “The county”
- The Merced County Fair
Getaways
- Yosemite National Park Iconic granite cliffs and waterfalls, about 2 hours away.
- Sonora Gateway to the Sierra foothills and gold country.
- Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk and redwoods, a fun day trip.
- San Jose Tech museums, shopping, and big-city attractions.
Local flavour
Teams
- UC Merced Bobcats NAIA
Also rooting for San Francisco 49ers (NFL), Golden State Warriors (NBA), San Francisco Giants (MLB), San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Carne asada burritos Common in local taquerias
- Hmong papaya salad
- Almond products From local orchards
- Fresh valley fruit Seasonal from the Central Valley
Where people go
- Farmers markets Fresh produce and local goods
- Almond orchards Iconic agricultural landscape
- Dairy farms A major part of the local economy
- Merced River recreation areas Swimming, fishing, and picnicking
- UC Merced campus A modern landmark and community hub
Heritage and traditions
Merced is proud of its agricultural heartland, diverse communities (Hmong, Sikh, Hispanic), and its role as a gateway to Yosemite.
This time of year in Merced
- Fall harvest Autumn Almonds, tomatoes, and other crops are harvested across the valley.
Say it like a local: “The 99” — Highway 99, the main north–south route through the Central Valley.
Festivals
- Hmong New Year November–December One of the largest Hmong New Year celebrations in the US, with traditional music, dance, and food.
- Vaisakhi April Sikh harvest festival celebrated with a parade and community gathering in Livingston.
- Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival May–June A traditional celebration in Gustine with sweet bread, processions, and community meals.
Landmarks with a story
- Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Livingston One of the oldest Sikh temples in the US, established in the early 1900s by Punjabi immigrants.
- Merced Theatre A restored 1920s vaudeville theatre on Main Street, hosting performances and events.
- Merced County Courthouse A 19th-century courthouse with a distinctive clock tower, a symbol of local government.
- St. Patrick's Catholic Church A historic parish in Merced, serving the community for over a century.
Food traditions
- Hmong sausage Grilled sausage seasoned with lemongrass and herbs, a staple at Hmong gatherings and markets.
- Portuguese sweet bread A rich, lightly sweet bread from Gustine's Portuguese community, often served at festivals.
- Sikh langar Free communal meals at gurdwaras, open to all, reflecting the Sikh tradition of service.
- Dairy fresh ice cream Local dairies produce ice cream and other dairy treats, a sweet summer favorite.
Music and arts
- Mariachi music Popular at celebrations and festivals, reflecting the region's Mexican heritage.
- Merced Symphony A community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Hmong traditional music and dance Performed at New Year and cultural events, preserving heritage.
A little history
- 1872 Merced founded as a railroad town
- 1941 Castle Air Force Base established
- 1970s Hmong refugees began settling in Merced
- Early 1900s Sikh immigrants arrived to work in agriculture
- 2005 UC Merced opened as the newest University of California campus
Rivalries
- Merced vs Atwater High school football rivalry that fills the stands.
- Merced vs Los Banos Another heated high school football matchup.
- Game day High school football (Friday Night Lights)
- Game day Merced County Fair rodeo
- Outdoors Walk the Merced River Trail
- Outdoors Picnic and swim at Lake Yosemite
- With kids Castle Air Museum's open cockpit days
- With kids Hmong New Year festivities
A mix of English, Spanish, Hmong, and Punjabi is spoken. The local accent is a general Western American accent, with Spanish loanwords and agricultural terms woven into everyday talk.
Only here
- One of the largest Hmong New Year celebrations in the US.
- The Castle Air Museum has a huge collection of military aircraft.
- The Sikh Gurdwara in Livingston is one of the oldest in the US.
- The almond bloom in February turns the valley pink and white.
New here? A few tips
- Summer is hot, often over 100°F; winter brings dense tule fog.
- Learn about the diverse communities: Hmong, Sikh, Hispanic, and more.
- Try the local food: tacos, Hmong sausage, and almond products.
- Get used to the agricultural smells, especially during harvest.
- Highway 99 is the main north–south route; it can be busy.
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Part of Bay Area
Nearby
Every areaMariposaCaliforniaSmall-town heart at the edge of the wild.ModestoCaliforniaHeart of the Central Valley, where the orchards meet the Sierra.SonoraCaliforniaGold Country calm, where the Sierra meets the past.FresnoCaliforniaSun-soaked fields and friendly facesStocktonCaliforniaWhere the Delta meets the valley's bounty.Gold CountryCaliforniaWhere the foothills keep their goldSan JoseCaliforniaWhere innovation and sunshine are always in seasonSalinasCaliforniaWhere the fields meet the sea
Merced, CA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.