The Merced center is approximately the area of Downtown Merced and the area of Friends International Christian University.
One of the beautiful things about Merced is that all four seasons offer something special to visitors. Summer is the best time of year for fishing and floating on the lower Merced River. Day trips to Yosemite National Park are fun in the summer as there is so much to see and do in the park.
Because summer is high season in Yosemite, rates for accommodations in the park are quite high and people often have to make reservations well in advance to stay right in Yosemite Valley. By staying in Merced, which is a short distance from the park, you can find affordable hotel rooms that are close enough to Yosemite for day trips.
Spring brings abundant wildflower blooms after the winter rains and is a lovely time to visit the area to see the green hills popping with colorful flowers. The Merced River waterway is along the pathway of migratory waterfowl and songbirds and you can see these birds by the thousands. If you enjoy hunting, waterfowl hunting season begins in fall in the nearby Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Rates are low in the spring and fall so you have a good chance of finding great deals on rooms.
Winter is cold, rainy, and foggy in Merced. However, if you enjoy skiing, you can swish down the slopes at Dodge Ridge Ski Resort, which is just under two hours away and is the closest ski resort to the San Francisco Bay Area. There are also numerous other ski resorts nearby. Choosing to stay in Merced will save you money as hotel rates in Merced are the lowest during the winter months and hotels book up quickly close to the ski resorts.
Would you like to save a bit more money while visiting Merced? You can by taking advantage of discounts offered by certain hotels. The Best Western Inn Merced offers special discounts to AAA members as well as those serving in the military or government. Enjoy free Wi-Fi in your room while sipping on a cup of coffee. Each room has a microwave and you can watch free cable on the flat-screen television. In the morning, fill up on the free hot breakfast and in the afternoon cool off in the outdoor swimming pool.
The Rodeway Inn gives discounts to AAA and AARP members as well as for government employees and those in the military. You can make popcorn in the microwave while watching premium cable on the television. Cruise the internet with free Wi-Fi and take advantage of the complimentary breakfast. Take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool and refresh yourself with a cold beverage from the refrigerator in your room.
Merced has plenty of hotels that give you extra value for your money. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Merced is the perfect place to stay with your family as everyone can enjoy a free hot breakfast. Get a good workout in at the on-site fitness center or soak your muscles in the Jacuzzi. Each room has free Wi-Fi, refrigerator, microwave, and you can sleep comfortably with plush bedding and mattresses. Sleep in when you draw the blackout drapes or relax watching HD channels on the 32-inch flat-screen television.
The Quality Inn Merced offers a complimentary hot breakfast to fuel you up for the day. When you return to your room after a fun day, you can swim in the outdoor pool or relax in the hot tub or sauna. Your room has premium free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen television, and a coffee maker. When you are ready for lunch and dinner, enjoy the convenience of the on-site restaurant.
Merced is a nature lover's paradise. From exploring the amazing beauty and grandeur of Yosemite National Park to floating and swimming on the Merced River, you will be able to find the perfect outdoor activity for everyone.
However, if you just wanted to stay close to Merced, there are plenty of fun and exciting sights to see close by. Take in a bit of history of the Great Central Valley by stopping at the opulent and gorgeous Merced County Courthouse Museum. For a fuller experience, speak with the docent about a special tour of the building.
For the military aviation buff, stop by the Castle Air Museum to see over 70 vintage and present-day military aircraft that have been carefully restored. You can also view the museum's collection of wartime memorabilia, historic photos, and personal artifacts from various military operations.
You will want to stop by the Merced Fruit Barn to sample some of California's finest produce grown right in the heart of the Central Valley and Merced. You can buy gorgeous gift baskets and trays, different varieties of dried fruits and nuts, and specialty and gourmet items such as honey and jams. Grab a sandwich from the deli and stroll around the barnyard to see the fun animals that live there. You can see a tortoise, peacocks with feathers the colors of rainbows, emus, rabbits, ducks, and even a furry llama.
There is so much to see and do in Merced and no matter whether you are staying for the night, the weekend, or for an extended time, you will find a nice variety of hotels, from budget-friendly to more upscale. Enjoy planning your trip to Merced, California, and have fun visiting this charming city.
Below are reviews of the city of Merced, CA from an actual visitor's perspective.
So many new restaurants to visit. We usually stay in Fresno when visiting Merced…but this was …a nice change. Love the diversity and the food options and what looks like a growing and revitalized area.
Lupian's is a great place to have a meal.
Restaurants and coffee houses.
The Hi-Fi wine bar is a touch of class downtown. Very nice.
Nice
Don't really like Merced. To me it is an Rearview Mirror Town. Problem, family still resides there. Otherwise I would use it as a sleep over before driving on.
Easy to get around. Good places to eat. Friendly people
Easy to get around. Good places to eat. Friendly people
Love the city!
Town events like the Halloween Parade was nice.
Yosemite Lake is a prime location to have a picnic and watch the sunset. The outdoor market popup on N. Street and Main is also fun.
Love how much more vibrant it seems from the past years and the El Capitan is obviously a big part of the improvements.
Scott's Diner restaurant across the way was a great place to eat.
Merced is a beautiful town for flatlanders like me because I am able to see a lot of sites like the wildlife refuge, the original courthouse, Lake Yosemite, Bear Creek, UCMerced, and vintage downtown Merced! All this with the walking disability that I have because Merced has handicap accessibility to all these sites.
Merced is well laid out with wide streets!
Merced seems well laid out, wide streets and good signage.
The taco trucks are some of the best anywhere; h&w is the best. There are lots of fishing areas and green everywhere!
Good place to spend time close to Yosemite National Park!
Merced has beautiful landscaping I enjoy every time we visit it.
The wildlife refuges in the area are amazing and worth a visit for all birders.
Merced is an older town. Lots of vintage architecture. Has a very laid back feel. Went to several excellent and inexpensive restaurants. Would like to visit again to see more.