Merced, CA HyperLocal City Guide featuring Neighborhoods, Zip Codes and Yellow Pages.

Merced is known as the "Gateway to Yosemite” where travelers can enjoy short drives to Yosemite, skiing, beaches, fishing, and other outdoor attractions. The California community is in the San Joaquin Valley northwest of Fresno and is situated along the Merced River. The region is a trade and tourist center, and a farming and dairy area which includes trade in cotton and fruit. As a valley, it is surrounded by Yosemite National Park (less than two hours by car) and has many waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls. There is easy access to the Pacific coast, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and major cities.

Prefabricated wood buildings and metal products are the chief manufactures in Merced. A campus of the University of California is located in within the city.

Accommodations
Visitors can relax and enjoy the hospitality and friendly service at the Best Western Inn and several other hotels. For a Bed & Breakfast, the Bear Creek Inn is a premier lodging accommodation. With featured decor, it is historically known as “The White House” and is located on spacious grounds with gardens and fruit trees. Memorable breakfasts are served in the main dining room.

Restaurants
The Branding Iron Restaurant celebrates California's ranching history with its decorating motif in the restaurant. The name is derived from the cattle brands that are displayed throughout the dining area. Visitors can watch for a 50-year-old neon sign of a cowboy branding a calf. The sign has been designated a historical landmark by the city of Merced.
Several other restaurants to sample while in the area include a diverse selection, including: the Mansion House Restaurant, the Sir James Restaurant
and the Reineros Restaurant.

Shopping
Merced Mall is the area's largest mall and it houses more than 60 stores. The Merced Market Place shopping area encompasses noted department and retail stores. The McNamara Plaza has a variety of book and dining spots in the heart of downtown Merced. When walking in the downtown area, there are quaint shops along Main Street.

Major Attractions
The Agricultural Museum in Merced includes antique farm equipment, gas engines and horse-drawn buggy displays. One of the featured displays is a working blacksmith shop.

Applegate Park and Zoo meanders along the bank of Bear Creek and is a stopping point along Merced’s extensive bike trail network. The park has picnic areas, a rose garden, Laura's Fountain and a Kiddieland Amusement area with train. Applegate’s Zoo is home to native wild animals that have come from wildlife rescue centers.

Lake Yosemite is popular for outdoor activities, including boating, wind sailing, swimming, and canoeing. The Rancho Del Rey Golf Club is an 18 hole, par 72 semiprivate golf course that is hilly with many trees lining the fairways.

The Buchanan Hollow Nut Company has tours of the small nut processing/packaging plant. The company specializes in pistachios and other local nuts produced in the area; tours end with free samples.

The Castle Air Museum has a noteworthy collection of planes including prominent crafts such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator, the B-29 Super Fortress, the B-26 Marauder and the B-25 Mitchell Bomber. There are more than 40 vintage military issue aircraft from World War II, an indoor museum, and a gift shop.

Written by: Karen J. Lee