Take the long way home.

Outdoor places and related stories

• Outdoor place · Parks, Zoos & Museums

  San Luis Reservoir Area

  O’Neill Forebay, Los Banos Creek Reservoir-Part of both the California Aqueduct and the Central Valley irrigation projects.…

• Related story · Local History

  Tuolumne County Museum

  Located in the Jail The Tuolumne County Historical society operates one of the best museums in the southern Mother Lode region.…

• Outdoor place · Outdoors

  Fishing and Floating the Merced River

  The Merced is our local river and it can be a great place to fish or float. Because access points aren’t well publicized, this page is an attempt to provide some information about them.…

• Related story · Community

  Merced's Central Park: Applegate Park, Zoo & Kiddieland Merced

  flag in park Applegate Park is Merced’s central park Located along the Bear Creek Bikeway, the park is an excellent destination on bike or foot.…

• Related story · Local History

  Madera County Museum

  Madera County Museum It’s a great time to visit the Madera County Museum---unless it is very hot! Why now and not during the summer?…

• Related story · Outdoors

  Stanislaus National Forest

  Stanislaus National Forest Merced County is adjacent to two national forests.  Flowing westward through the county, the Merced River forms the dividing line between Stanislaus National Forest and Sierra National Forest.…

• Related story · Local History

  Milliken Museum and Los Banos Historic Sites

  Photo by adam Blauert Treasure trove of artifacts With people, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.  The same is true for museums.…

• Related story · Outdoors

  Visit Hagaman Park-Merced County

  Photo by adam blauert Hagaman Park Located on a bluff above the Merced River in northwestern Merced County, Hagaman Park is especially popular with residents of the west side of the county.…

• Related story · Local History

  Turlock Museums

  Photo by adam blauert Museums in the Valley Although part of Stanislaus County, Turlock is only 25 miles north of Merced – closer than some other towns that are within the county.…

• Related story · Outdoors

  Calaveras Big Trees

  Photo by adam blauert The wonder of the Big Trees A shady grove of giant sequoias is a great place to be during the hot months of summer.…

• Outdoor place · Outdoors

  San Juan Bautista

  PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT Central Valley and the Merced river In 1806 a Spanish expedition into the Central Valley identified the Merced River as the most likely site for the first inland mission settlement.…

• Related story · Local History

  Gold Rush Towns of the Central Foothills

  PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT Gold Rush Towns of the Central Foothills Gold, silver, and other minerals have been mined throughout California.…

• Related story · Yosemite & Mariposa

  Mariposa County Museums

  Photo by adam blauert Mariposa County Museums Mariposa County’s history and natural resources provide a wealth of interesting stories, knowledge, and sights.…

• Related story · Local History

  Castle Air Museum-Atwater

  PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT Castle Air Museum Drawing visitors from across the country, Castle Air Museum is one of Merced County’s treasures.…

• Related story · Local History

  Oakdale Cowboy Museum

  PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT Ranching continues today Ranching has always been a big part of the economy and culture of central California.…

• Related story · Outdoors

  Shinzen Japanese Garden

  Photo by adam blauert Shinzen Friendship Garden in Woodward Park Several times over the last few years, my wife and I have found ourselves in Fresno with time on our hands.…

• Related story · Places & Travel

  Clovis Botanical Garden

  Photo by adam blauert Clovis Botanical  - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT It’s popular and easy to make jokes about the Fresno area.…

• Related story · Outdoors

  Moccasin Trout Hatchery

  Photo by adam blauert Fish and Game In order to provide fishing opportunities for 38 million people, the California Department of Fish and Game grows trout and salmon in 21 hatcheries throughout the state and then…

• Related story · Local History

  Merced County Historical Society Museum

  photo by adam blauert Merced County Historical Society Museum Merced County’s history comes to life in the museum operated by the Merced County Historical Society.…

• Related story · Yosemite & Mariposa

  Yosemite – The Other Three Seasons

  Photo by Adam Blauert Yosemite National Park The vast majority of Yosemite’s visitors arrive during the summer months.…

• Related story · Local History

  McHenry Mansion and Museum

  Photo by Adam Blauert Mansions in the valley built by the same brothers in law On the corner of M Street and West North Bear Creek Drive in Merced stands the Hooper House Bear Creek Inn…

• Outdoor place · Parks, Zoos & Museums

  Romero Visitor Center – San Luis Reservoir

  Photo by adam Blauert Romero Visitor Center – San Luis ReservoirDrivers heading out of Merced County over Pacheco Pass often notice the sign for the Romero Visitor Center at the San Luis State Recreation Area and…

• Outdoor place · Parks, Zoos & Museums

  Turlock Lake State Recreation Area

  Turlock Lake State Recreation Area Less than an hour from many points in Merced County, Turlock Lake large and easily accessible.…

• Outdoor place · Parks, Zoos & Museums

  Sierra National Forest

  PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT National forests Yosemite National Park is surrounded by national forest lands.…