Merced Welcome Center

Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 5:00pm / Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm

Spend a day, the night, or better yet the weekend. Merced is a unique city, filled with warm, friendly people that will instantly make visitors feel welcome. Merced offers a wide variety of attractions, historical sites, accommodations and dining opportunities that are sure to please. Merced is the Gateway to Yosemite. Whether summer, fall, winter or spring..Yosemite is picture perfect anytime you visit Merced.

Try planning your trip around one of the areas great events. The Merco Cycling Classic brings world-class riders from around the globe to Merced each spring. Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete is the longest existing, annually held, Tahitian Dance and Cultural Festival outside of French Polynesia is held in Merced each March.

Art and culture are thriving is this proud community. From the galleries at our Multicultural Art Center to the live performances at Playhouse Merced there is something for everyone! Come play, stay and experience Merced!

Contact Information

About Our Welcome Center

1. Why is Merced known as the Gateway to Yosemite?
The Yosemite Valley Railroad ran from Merced to El Portal at the entrance to Yosemite National Park from 1906 to 1946. Visit Yosemite from Merced and retrace the original route along Hwy 140, established in 1926 and is known as the “all weather route”. This was the first route into Yosemite that brought travelers directly to the valley floor along the Merced River Canyon. You’ll have an excellent view of geology in action!

2. What are the trees that are along Highway 59, 140, and 99?
Merced offers a blossom tour in late February to early March which features almond, peach, and apricot trees. In addition, cherries, figs, nectarines, pistachios, dried plums and walnut trees contribute to Merced’s Ag economy, which is 5th in the Nation and California. Visit the Merced Fruit Barn, Buchanan Hollow Nut Company, the Vista Ranch & Cellars, or Hilmar Cheese to get an authentic agricultural experience.

3. What is close to the California Welcome Center Merced?
Merced has a vibrant downtown that features charming shops and restaurants that offer something for everyone. Live entertainment and special events throughout the year welcome visitors from around the world.
Merced County Courthouse Museum-www.mercedmuseum.org
Applegate Park & Zoo-www.cityofmerced.org
Merced Multicultural Art Center-www.artsmerced.org
Playhouse Merced-www.playhousemerced.com
Merced Theatre-www.mercedtheatre.org
Downtown Farmers Market—www.mercedcfm.com

4. Do you have transportation to Yosemite National Park?
Yes, we have YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System). YARTS offers an alternative to driving into the park. The service runs from Merced to Yosemite on Highway 140 and connects with Amtrak, Greyhound, and Merced Regional Airport. YARTS leaves daily from the California Welcome Center Merced.

5. What majors does UC Merced offer?
UC Merced is a research university located in the heart of California’s Central Valley. UC Merced offers programs in Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. The student research areas that UC Merced offers are the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, Health Sciences Research Institute, UC Merced Energy Research Institute, and UC Solar, Center of Excellence for the Study of Health Disparities in Rural and Ethnic Underserved Populations, and Sustainability.