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Major city · United States

Merced

One night as a Yosemite gateway, or skip: the town itself is a 3-hour stop. Base here only if Yosemite beds are full.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Merced is a San Joaquin Valley farm city of about 86,000 people on Highway 99, and the practical reason to sleep here is Yosemite: the park's Highway 140 entrance is under two hours east by car, and the YARTS shuttle runs from the Amtrak station into Yosemite Valley in summer. Downtown is small — a courthouse museum, a modest art centre, a zoo, a handful of bars and restaurants — so most travellers use it as a bed before or after the park, not as a destination.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
avoid Jul–Aug (35 °C (95 °F)+ afternoons), Dec–Feb fog
Airports
MCE · FAT · SFO
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Merced911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Merced, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Sit-down mealSit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and sales tax.$15–30
  • Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–18
  • BeerDraught beer in a downtown bar$6–9
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare$12–18
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$140
  • Mid-range bedChain motel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
  • High-end bedChain motel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$240

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Yosemite gateway on Highway 140Amtrak San Joaquins stopUC MercedMerced County Courthouse MuseumWinter waterfowl at Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Airports
MCE Merced Regional Airport (Small field with Advanced Air service from Las Vegas and Hawthorne; check current schedule.) · FAT Fresno Yosemite International (About 1 h 30 min south on Highway 99; the nearest full-service airport.) · SFO San Francisco International (About 2 h 30 min west; use it if you fly in from overseas.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    17°C (63°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  5. May

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    33°C (91°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    35°C (95°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)), coolest Dec (2°C (36°F) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Merced: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

13°C (55°F)

3°C (37°F)

8 rd

Feb

17°C (63°F)

4°C (39°F)

7 rd

Mar

20°C (68°F)

6°C (43°F)

7 rd

Apr

23°C (73°F)

7°C (45°F)

4 rd

May

28°C (82°F)

11°C (52°F)

2 rd

Jun

33°C (91°F)

14°C (57°F)

1 rd

Jul

36°C (97°F)

16°C (61°F)

0 rd

Aug

35°C (95°F)

16°C (61°F)

0 rd

Sep

32°C (90°F)

14°C (57°F)

1 rd

Oct

26°C (79°F)

9°C (48°F)

2 rd

Nov

19°C (66°F)

5°C (41°F)

4 rd

Dec

13°C (55°F)

2°C (36°F)

7 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the default: sights and the Yosemite road are spread out and buses are thin. The Bus (M5 and other routes) links the Amtrak station, Greyhound stop and Motel Drive hotels. Downtown is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Yosemite National Park (Highway 140 entrance)

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h

Drive CA-140 east via Mariposa, about 1 h 30 min to the Arch Rock entrance

The reason most people sleep in Merced. Leave by 07:00 in summer; parking in Yosemite Valley fills early.

Yosemite Valley by YARTS shuttle

go

Door to door: About 2.5 h to the Valley

YARTS bus from the Amtrak station, UC Merced, Merced Mall and the airport

Runs roughly mid-May to late September; the ticket includes park entry. Check the current season and timetable.

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Drive about 30 min southwest of town

Best Nov–Feb for cranes, geese and other waterfowl; a self-drive loop, so bring binoculars.

Atwater

skip

Door to door: About 20 min

Drive or Amtrak north on Highway 99, about 15 min

A neighbouring farm town with little for a visitor; only worth it if you are already passing.

Los Banos

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive west on CA-152, about 45 min

A Highway 152 stop on the way to the coast; not a day out on its own.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Motel Drive / Highway 99 strip

Chain motels (Best Western, Courtyard, Holiday Inn Express) south of downtown; easiest for a car and a one-night stop.

Downtown / Main Street

Walkable to the courthouse museum, bars and restaurants; fewer beds, older buildings.

North Merced near UC Merced

Newer rooms and student cafés; about 10 min drive from the Amtrak station.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–100 excl. bed
Mid
$100–170 excl. bed
High
$170+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Chain motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$130US$130
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130US$260
YARTS return ticket to Yosemite Valley, per person2 × US$50 · checkUS$100
Yosemite park entry, per vehicle, 7 days1 × US$35 · checkUS$35
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$56
Trip total≈ US$306 per person per day, bed includedUS$611

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Diner breakfast$10–18
Burger or taco lunch$10–16
Sit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and sales tax.$15–30
Draught beer in a downtown bar$6–9
5 km taxi or rideshare$12–18
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Merced is a working farm city, not a resort town: daytime downtown and the motel strip are fine, but avoid walking alone after dark away from Main Street and keep bags out of sight in a parked car.
  • Summer afternoons regularly pass 35 °C (95 °F); carry water and plan indoor stops midday.
  • Winter tule fog on Highway 99 cuts visibility to a few car lengths: slow down, use low beams, allow extra time.
  • Some motels on the Highway 99 strip sit next to vacant lots; read recent reviews before booking the cheapest room.
  • Yosemite's Highway 140 entrance can require a timed reservation in peak season: check the park's official site before you drive.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Merced Police non-emergency
209-385-6905
Poison control (US, 24 h)
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MercedMerced

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Merced Police non-emergency209-385-6905

Embassy

No embassies in Merced; consulates-general are in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Amtrak San Joaquins, Merced → Sacramento: about $30–40, roughly 2 h 30 min (check)
  • Amtrak San Joaquins, Merced → Bakersfield: about $25–35, roughly 2 h 30 min (check)
  • YARTS Merced → Yosemite Valley: about $25 one way, includes park entry, about 2.5 h (check)

Say or show

  • 324 W 24th St — Where is the Amtrak station?
  • Table for two, please — A table for two, please
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is the park entrance included? — Is the park entrance included?
  • How far is Yosemite from here? — How far is Yosemite from here?
  • Thank you — Thank you

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Merced. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (35 °C+ afternoons), Dec–Feb fog · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for MCE and FAT: last connections, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street, the courthouse museum and Applegate Park, UC Merced and Lake Yosemite.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (courthouse museum, zoo, arts centre) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Yosemite gate fixtures: YARTS season, Highway 140 reservation rules, dawn departure times.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources