Click on tabs to view various exciting activities in Merced, California.
- Applegate Park & Zoo
- 26th & R Streets
- In addition to the animals, the park has picnic areas and a nice rose garden (site of the famous Laura's Fountain. Also a 'Kiddieland' featuring a neat train (weekends, June to September). Open daily 10am-5pm. Admission fee.
Castle Air Museum- Located at what used to be the Castle Air Force Base (Santa Fe and Buhach Roads in nearby Atwater)
www.elite.net/castle-air - Open daily 9am-5pm. Admission fee. View this superb collection of 43 vintage military aircraft (WW-II to current). Also on site: museum, gift shop and restaurant.
- Grassland Wetlands
- Highways 140 or 59 in Merced County.
209-826-5188 - After generations of agricultural and industrial development, only about 5% of California's original Central Valley wetlands still exists. About a third of the remaining wetlands are located in Merced County. These wetlands support more than 550 species of birds, animals and plants.
Lake Yosemite- Lake Road
209-385-7426 - $4 entry fee per car. Enjoy boating, canoeing, wind sailing, swimming. Picnic areas with BBQ's are available for a small fee.
- Merced Multicultural Arts Center
- 645 West Main
209-388-1090 · www.artsmerced.org - Open weekdays 9am-5pm. A new multimillion dollar facility featuring three floors of paintings, sculptures, and photography.
Yosemite National Park- About 60 miles east of town via Hwy 140 (a well-maintained non-challenging highway following the Merced River which originates in Yosemite).
- www.nps.gov/yose
- University of California, Merced
- www.ucmerced.edu
- Sierra Repertory Theatre, Columbia
- www.sierrarep.org
- Playhouse Merced, Merced
- www.playhousemerced.com
- Merced National Wildlife Refuge
- 209-829-3508
- Merced Agricultural Museum
- 4498 East State Highway 140, Merced
209-383-1912 - Merced Multicultural Arts Center
- 645 W. Main Street, Merced
209-388-1090 - Chukchansi Gold Casino & Resort
- www.chukchansigold.com
- Chicken Ranch Casino
- www.california-casino-guide.com/indian casinos/chickenranch.html
- Buchanan Hollow Nut Co.
- 6510 Minturn Road in nearby Le Grand.
209-389-4594 · www.bhnc.com - Open Mon - Sat, 8am-5pm. Tours a small, nut processing and packaging plant (nuts produced in the area). Free samples and and store (gift boxes shipped).
- Hilmar Cheese Company
- 9001 Lander Ave. in nearby Hilmar
209-667-6076 · www.hilmarcheese.com - Open daily, 8am-6pm. Watch them make cheese the old-fashioned way. Also available are a full-service deli and an ice cream parlor, picnic areas and an old-timey country store.
- Red Rock Winery & Brewery
- 7990 E Hwy 140
209-722-7625 · www.redrockwinery.com - Open daily, 10am-5pm. Both a winery and a brewery and the producer of many award-winning wines and beers. Tasting room, gift shop and picnic areas.
- Dining Excursions
- www.sierrarailroad.com
- Quady Winery, Madera
- www.quadywinery.com
- Butterfly Creek Winery, Mariposa
- www.yosemitewine.com
- Gold Mine Winery, Columbia
- www.goldminewinery.com
