Hotels in Merced, California

A little about Merced...

Merced is the county seat of Merced County, California in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. As of 2006, the city had a total population of 76,893. Incorporated in 1889, Merced is a charter city that operates under a council-manager government. It is named after the Merced River, which flows nearby. Merced, known as the "Gateway to Yosemite", is less than two hours by car from Yosemite National Park to the east and to the west is Monterey Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and miles of beaches. The community is served by the rail passenger service, Amtrak, a major airline, through Merced Municipal Airport, and two bus lines.

In 2005, the city became home to the tenth University of California campus, the University of California at Merced.

Applegate’s Zoo is home to native wild animals that are non-releasable, many having come from wildlife rescue centers or being handicapped. These animals are at the Zoo to help visitors learn about California's wildlife heritage.

The Center includes numerous hands-on exhibits teaching scientific principles while entertaining the students at the same time. Some of the favorite attractions include:

1492: Two World of Science from Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley
El Nino Interactive Computer Display from Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Pasadena
Planet Polluto Interactive Display from San Joaquin Valley Pollution Control District
NASA Displays from Johnson Space Center, Houston
The Blue Planet Globe
Harmonograph
Bubblemania
Butterflies around the World

Through the years, Downtown Merced has become the center of entertainment and dining for people throughout the region. It’s a place where families and individuals can meet in an “outdoor mall” setting amid new and classic architecture and tall, graceful trees.

Most stores in Downtown Merced are the small-town shop variety. Shops where friendly merchants offer friendly assistance and products and services that cannot be found elsewhere in Merced. Downtown Merced is a convenient, safe place to stroll and window shop, and to stop and enjoy music, movies and theatre. Day or night, it’s the place to be.

The crown jewel of the City park system, Applegate Park meanders along the bank of Bear Creek and is a stopping point along Merced’s extensive bike trail network.The park boasts, picnic areas, a rose garden, Laura's Fountain and Kiddieland Amusement area with train (available on weekends June to September).