Amusement Parks
While you will not find the Disneyland Resort in this area, there are several amusement parks that are just a short drive away. Water parks, roller coasters, even children's fairytale parks are close enough to visit for the day.

Campgrounds
Being located so close to the Sierra Nevada mountain range has its advantages when it comes to camping and outdoor fun. From Yosemite National Park to several mountain and foothill lakes, rivers, and forests, you could camp at a different campground every weekend, and not even come close to seeing them all. To add to the camping experience, the coastal range and shoreline offers camping as well.

Caverns
Families and adventurous people alike will enjoy the cavern tours in our nearby foothills. Tours that are designed for the entire family are offered at every cavern. For adventure seekers, most of the caverns offer adventure tours that will take you deeper into the caves, often rappelling on ropes deep into the darkness.

Historic Sites
History comes alive in Merced and its surrounding areas. Remnants of the local Native Americans, missions of the Spanish settlers, towns of the infamous California Gold Rush, even the homes of famous writers such as John Steinbeck and Mark Twain are only a short drive away. Experiencing historical places, and walking in the footsteps of the pioneers brings true meaning, enjoyment, and understanding to history in a way that simply reading books cannot.

Lakes
The lakes in the Merced area offer an array of activity from fishing, to boating, to water sports, even camping and picnicking. The best part is that there are several lakes to choose from, and many are closer than you might think.

Parks
There are many different parks including river parks, forests, and wide open spaces. You can fish, camp, picnic, and even hike, depending on the park. One thing is for sure, they are a wonderful place to spend the day.

Train Rides & Whitewater Rafting
A train ride through our nearby Sierra Nevada mountains, or a thrilling ride down its rivers, whatever your brand of fun it is only a short drive away.

Trips in Season
Seasonal trips are often very special. They can produce memories that will last a lifetime. The most special part of a seasonal trip is that you only have a small window of opportunity to see it. Each year the scene may be totally different, offering once in a lifetime experiences.

Wildlife Refuges
Who needs the zoo when you can see the animals living completely wild, in their original habitat. The central valley and central coast has miles of natural habitat that has been set aside for the local animals. The best part is that people are allowed to visit these wildlife refuges, and enjoy the animals. A word of warning, these animals are truly wild, they are best viewed from a distance.