The Gustine Historical Society~Gustine Museum
Photo by adam blauert
The Gustine Historical Society
Wishes to discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge about the history of Gustine and the West Side.
It collects artifacts, memorabilia, documents, books, maps, periodicals, articles, photographs and items pertaining to Gustine and its surrounding area.
These artifacts are housed in the Wilbur and Irene Gomes Gustine History Center and in creative exhibits in the Gustine Museum.
Location
Gustine Museum 397 Fourth Street Highway 33 Gustine, CA 95322
Phone (209) 854-2344
www.gustinehistoricalsociety.org
Jail House
The Gustine Museum is housed in the former Merced County Justice Court/Jail building.
Built in 1911, this historic building served the City of Gustine until abandoned in 1980, when the Police Department moved to new quarters. It was leased to the Gustine Historical Society in 1985.
After extensive restoration, it reopened in 1990 as the Gustine Museum. In 1996 the building was designated a California Point of Historic Interest.
Open Thursdays and Sundays
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Admisssion Free -
History-Center-- photo by adam blauert
Wilbur and Irene Gomes Gustine History Center
323 Sixth Street Gustine, CA
Phone (209) 854-6455
The History Center…
dedicated on July 4, 1997, owes its existence to the generous contribution of long-time activists Wilbur and Irene Gomes.
This remarkable center showcases a wide array of resources, including an archival library, Gustine newspapers dating back to 1911, obituaries, biographies, histories, maps, Gustine school registers, Indian lore, and an extensive collection of photographs.
For visitors' convenience, the center is open on Thursdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Additionally, appointments can be arranged by contacting (209) 854-3120.
To correspond with the center, please use the following mailing address:
PO Box 222, Gustine 95322.
For any inquiries, please dial the new phone number: 209-854-6455.
YOSEMITE LAKE IN MERCED
OPEN Mon-Fri 7:30 AM and Weekends 7:30 AM - Closed at Dusk
(Next to UC Merced)
Yosemite Lake 2023
Just down the street from UC Merced....enjoy the beauty!
YOSEMITE LAKE - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Lake Yosemite
Only seven miles from the center of Merced, Lake Yosemite has long been a popular spot for picnics, family outings, group activities, fishing and boating.
Lake-Yosemite- - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
It isn’t the largest lake in Merced County, but it is close to home and has extensive recreational facilities.
Most facilities are accessed from Lake Road, but a secondary fishing access point is located at the end of Old Lake Road.
Lake Yosemite’s water comes from the Merced River
It is diverted into the Main Canal by the Crocker-Huffman Dam, halfway between Snelling and Merced Falls. Surface area of lake: 500 acres.
Playground - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Rentals Available at Lake Yosemite
Facilities and activities:
Boat ramp and marina
Concessions booth (summer weekends only)
Flush restrooms
Drinking fountains
Picnic areas with tables, shelters, and BBQ grills
Camping area for youth groups
Swimming beach
Playground
Dogs allowed? No
Horses allowed? No
Hunting allowed? No
Fish species: Bass, bluegill, and catfish. Trout are stocked in the early spring, but don’t last through the summer because of water temperatures.
Yosemite Lake - 2021 by Brad Haven
Rentals
Non-motorized boats are available on summer weekends from the concession stand.
Nearby parks:
The closest camping is available at McConnell State Recreation Area, and Lake McClure and Lake McSwain.
Recreation organizations
The Lake Yosemite Sailing Association organizes sailboat events and races, maintains a docking area, and teaches sailboating skills.
Membership is open to all who have an interest in sailing.
Boat ownership is not required and new members can learn to sail by crewing on boats owned by other members.
The LYSA also offers a Sail Camp for youth aged 8 and up during the summer months. http://www.lakeyosemitesailing.org/
Lake Yosemite - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Lake McSwain and Lake McClure
PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
photo by adam blauert
Lake McSwain and Lake McClureLake McSwain and Lake McClure: These two sister reservoirs on the Merced River are operated as a unit by the Merced Irrigation District. Both provide excellent fishing.
Lake McSwain may be tiny in comparison to Lake McClure, but sometimes has better trout fishing. Gigantic Lake McClure is especially popular for waterskiing, wake boarding, and houseboats.
A 15-mile trail between the Bagby Recreation Area (Highway 49) and Briceburg (140) provides good river fishing, hiking, and mountain biking.
bike park
Location: Lake McClure Road near Merced Falls
Distance from Merced: 30 miles
Distance from Los Banos: 66 miles
Operating authority: Merced Irrigation District
Surface area of lake: McClure 7,110 acres, McSwain 308 acres
Facilities and activities
Boat ramps, marina, fish-cleaning stations
Flush restrooms
Drinking fountains
Campgrounds/group campgrounds with BBQ grills/fire rings, shelters, hot showers, RV hookups
Picnic areas with tables, shelters, and BBQ grills
Group picnic areas and shelters
Swimming beach
Playgrounds
Store, laundry facilities, dump station
Dogs allowed? Yes
Horses allowed? No
Hunting allowed? No
Fish species: bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, shad, sunfish, trout
Rentals: Boats and personal watercraft including houseboats
Website: http://www.lakemcclure.com/
Visit the Parks of Merced City
Photo by adam blauert
Merced City Parks
The City of Merced maintains a wide range of neighborhood, regional, and community parks within the city limits. Many of these parks are located along Merced City Bikeways.
Information on bike routes is included in the descriptions below.
Applegate -photo by adam blauert
The city’s largest parks include
Fahrens Park
Joe Herb Park
McNamara Park
Merced Dog Park
Rahilly Park
Youth Sports Complex
Neighborhood Parks
...are located within a half mile walk of nearly every home in Merced. To find a park in your neighborhood, click on this link to view a map on the City of Merced’s website:http://www.cityofmerced.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=7595
This map also shows parks that the City plans to build in coming years.
Kiddieland - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Applegate Park
Applegate Park is Merced’s central park. Located along the Bear Creek Bikeway, the park is an excellent destination on bike or foot.
It offers 32 acres of recreation with a zoo, outdoor theater, picnic tables, bbq grills, volleyball nets, tennis/basketball courts, a skate park, rental facilities, a large playground, a rose garden, fountain, and the Kiwanas-sponsored Kiddieland amusement park.
Plenty of parking is located around the park.
Many community events are held at Applegate, including concerts and plays in the summer.
Fahrens Park - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Fahrens Park
Stretched out along both Faherns and Black Rascal Creeks, this park boasts a brand new disc golf course and plenty of shade.
Fahrens Park - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Fahrens Park features a frisbee course
Location: Along Buena Vista Drive between R Street and Highway 59.
Size: 48 acres
Facilities:
bike rider
Restrooms and drinking fountains
Picnic tables, BBQ grills
Playground
Disc golf course (course map: http://www.cityofmerced.org/documents/discgolfMap8x11.pdf)
Bikeway connections: Located along the Rascal Creek Bikeway. For a map, go to:http://www.cityofmerced.org/documents/MercedCityBikePlan.pdf
For information about the bike trails of Merced, click here.
Joe Herb Park
Adjacent to Golden Valley High School, this park provides a large area for recreation in southeast Merced. City league softball games are often held on the lighted softball fields.
Location: 2200 Yosemite Parkway, Merced
Size: 27 acres
Facilities:
Restrooms and drinking fountains
Picnic tables and shelters, BBQ grills
Playground
Concessions stand
Baseball/softball diamond
Horseshoe pits
Soccer fields
McNamara Park
Centrally located in south Merced, McNamara Park offers a broad range of recreational activities and plenty of shade.
Location: 1040 Canal Street, Merced, Ca
Size: 9 acres
Facilities:
Restrooms and drinking fountains
Picnic tables and shelters, BBQ grills
Playground
Concessions stand
Recreation hall
Baseball/softball diamond
Basketball courts
Horseshoe pits
Soccer fields
Swimming pool
Dog Park - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Merced Dog Park
Looking for a place to allow your dog to play off-leash with other dogs? The Merced Dog Park has well-fenced areas for both small dogs and larger dogs.
For information about the local dog club:
M-DOGS (Merced Dog Owners Group)
Location: Yosemite and R Streets
Merced Dog Park - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Size: 8 acres
Facilities:
Restrooms and drinking fountains
Pet waste bag dispensers
Picnic tables
Bocce ball courts
Bikeway connections: Located along the Fahrens Creek Bikeway. For a map, go to:http://www.cityofmerced.org/documents/MercedCityBikePlan.pdf
Dog Park - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Rahilly Park 3
Rahilly Park
A shady creekside park in the center of north Merced, Rahilly Park has long been a favorite with families.
To avoid confusion, note that Google maps and other online map sources may refer to this park as “Black Rascal Park.”
Rahilly Park - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Rahilly Park
Location: 3302 Parsons Avenue, Merced
Size: 17 acres
Facilities:
Restrooms and drinking fountains
Picnic tables and shelters, BBQ grills
Playground
Soccer fields
Bikeway connections: Located along the Rascal Creek Bikeway. For a map, go to:http://www.cityofmerced.org/documents/MercedCityBikePlan.pdf
Youth Sports Complex
Location: 1800 Block of Wardrobe Avenue, Merced
Size: 12 Acres
Facilities:
Restrooms and drinking fountains
Concessions stand
Baseball/softball diamond
Soccer fields
Top 5 Local Things to do in Winter in and Around Merced County
Winter in the central valley
The coldest months of the year often seem like a dead time for events and activities unless you’re going to mountains to ski or play in the snow. Despite that impression, there are actually a lot of great things to enjoy during this time of year within an hour’s drive or less.
1. Ice skating
Ice skating at Fields of Ice in Turlock has brought ice skating to our part of the Central Valley. Located at 716 N. Daubenberger Road, this open-air rink can be enjoyed during the day or under the stars as long as it isn’t raining. The rink will be open this season through January. Ice skate rentals are included in the admission price and just about anyone can figure out how to propel themselves on the ice with a little practice – especially if you ever had any experience riding a pair of inline skates (rollerblades). It’s an especially fun activity with a group of family members or friends.
2. Performing Arts
Photo by Adam Blauert
Winter is a great time to enjoy live music or theater. In addition to performing arts within our own county, the Modesto, Turlock, Fresno, and Sonora areas offer a huge range of live entertainment.
Photo by Adam Blauert
For a list of performing arts venues and organizations within an hour’s drive, click here.
3. Wildlife refuges
Photo by Adam Blauert
Before large numbers of humans settled in the Central Valley, much of the valley’s floor was a great wetland in the winter months – a permanent home for many species and a winter home for many more. Large areas that are currently managed as wildlife refuges continue to provide both year-round and seasonal wetland habitat.
Photo by Adam Blauert
While the refuges are interesting throughout the year, they are especially enjoyable in the winter months when millions of migratory birds arrive. “Birdwatching… really??!??” I know that’s what some readers are thinking at this point. Visiting a wildlife refuge in the winter can actually be an unforgettable experience. If you’ve done it yourself, you know what I’m talking about.
Don’t imagine this as sitting around for hours waiting for a single tiny starling or sparrow to show up.
As you stand on a viewing platform in the crisp evening air and watch great flocks of ducks and geese silhouetted against an orange-red sunset sky, it seems like you’ve stepped into another world – even though you’re only a few miles from civilization.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Evening is usually the best time to visit. As the day ends, multitudes of ducks and geese return from feeding. The refuges offer auto tour routes, short hiking trails, and viewing platforms to enjoy the avian show.
The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge in Los Banos is also home to a large herd of magnificent tule elk. Although they aren’t always close to the fence of their large enclosure, I’ve been able to spot them every time I’ve visited and sometimes they’ve been very close to the viewing platform.
Photo by Adam Blauert
No matter when you go, wear warm clothes and bring a camera and/or binoculars. The closest refuge is the Merced National Wildlife Refuge, seven and a half miles west of Highway 59 on Sandy Mush Road. It offers a five mile auto tour route, three short trails, and viewing platforms. About seven miles north of Los Banos on Wolfsen Road, the San Luis NWR offers two auto tour routes, several short trails, viewing platforms, and a beautiful new visitor center with exhibits about local wildlife.
Photo By Adam Blauert
If you arrive before evening, you can see both elk and birds in one day and also check out the visitor center (open 8AM to 4:30PM every day except federal holidays). The refuges are open daily from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
Admission to both refuges is completely free.
4. Museums
Museums are great places avoid the cold in the winter and to cool off in the summer. Merced County has a wealth of local museums, and so do the surrounding counties.
Photo by Adam Blauert
The Merced County Historical Society’s exhibits in the beautifully restored 139 year-old courthouse at 21st and N Streets is a great place to start if you’ve never seen it before or if you haven’t been there in a long time.
A new exhibit debuts every few months. For complete information about current events click here.
The other rooms contain exhibits of the county’s history from the Yokuts people to the present time.
Other museums within the county and an hour’s drive include:
Merced: Multicultural Arts Center
Los Banos: Milliken Museum
Atwater: Bloss House Museum
Livingston: Livingston Historical Museum
Dos Palos: Dos Palos Museum
Gustine: Gustine Museum
Chowchilla-Fairmead: Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County
Madera: Madera County Museum
Modesto: McHenry Mansion
Turlock: Carnegie Arts Center and Turlock Historical Society Museum
Oakdale: Oakdale Cowboy Museum
Fresno-Clovis: Kearny Mansion, Meux Home Museum, the Clovis-Big Dry Creek Museum, the Fresno Art Museum, and the Discovery Center
Mariposa: California State Mining and Mineral Museum and the Mariposa Museum and History Center
Oakhurst: Fresno Flats Historical Museum and Park
Raymond: Raymond Museum
Sonora: Tuolumne County Museum
La Grange: La Grange Museum
It’s quite an impressive list. If you’re wondering where to start, here are five of my favorites:
Castle Air Museum – huge collection of military aircraft, WWII to present
California State Mining and Mineral Museum – mining history and lots of stunning mineral specimens
McHenry Mansion – beautifully restored 1882 Victorian mansion, one of the best preserved in the entire Central Valley
Fresno Flats Historical Museum and Park – extensive collection of restored pioneer buildings and artifacts, lots of space to explore and picnic
Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County – amazing fossils of massive creatures that lived here in the past
Because museums often reduce their hours during the colder months, call to verify before you visit. Admission to many museums is free of charge, while others require a small per-person fee.
5. Blossom Tours
Photo By Adam Blauert
As winter draws to a close, local orchards put on one of the most impressive displays of blossoms that can be seen anywhere. Usually beginning in the second half of February, these blossoms can usually be enjoyed by driving (or riding your bike) on rural roads in Merced County. For more info about blossom tours, click here.
Photo By Adam Blauert
The University of California’s Cooperative Extension program has compiled several excellent tour routes for different parts of the county. The maps are available for free on their website: http://cemerced.ucanr.edu/Blossom_Tours_262/.
Top Five Things to do in and around Merced County
What to do in Merced?
It’s a commonly heard complaint, “There’s nothing to do in Merced.”
Having lived here most of my life, I have to disagree. In fact, there are so many things that I want to do, I often hear about things that I want to do but have to decline because there’s already something on the calendar.
On an ongoing basis, Merced offers a wide range of activities to participate in: recreational sports teams, youth groups and clubs, music lessons and performing arts groups, community service classes at Merced College including art and physical activity, churches, and annual events such as parades and the Merced County Fair.
These are five of the best things to do in the City of Merced and they can be enjoyed year-round. For our area’s best seasonal activities, try the following links:
For something to do on the spur of the moment, here are five of my favorite options:
1. Visit a Museum or art gallery
Castle Air Museum has one of the best collections of historic aircraft in the country. 53 aircraft from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War are on display daily including the B-17, B-29, B-52, and SR-71.
For a full list of planes on display, visit the museum’s website: http://www.castleairmuseum.org/ondisplay.html
Photo by Adam Blauert
Castle Air Museum is a place where history truly comes alive.
Visitors have close-up views of the planes from paved, handicapped-accessible walkways.
An indoor museum contains many additional Air Force and Army Air Corps artifacts and a B-52 simulator.
Photo by Adam Blauert
The museum holds annual “open cockpit” days when visitors can view the insides of many of the aircraft. The museum also has a gift shop and café.
You can see the planes every day of the year except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Summer Hours (May –October) are 9-5 and Winter Hours (November– April) are 10-4.
For current admission rates and special events-(click here) or call 209-723-2178.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Located in Merced’s landmark 1875 courthouse is a great place to learn about local history. The museum’s displays cover the history of the county from human settlement of the Central Valley to the present day.
Displays include Yokut Indian artifacts, early ranching and farming, artifacts from Merced’s Chinatown, a display of Merced County schools and a turn-of-the century classroom, “Old Betsy” – Merced’s 1859 fire engine, the restored 1875 courtroom, and displays of home life in the 1800’s through early 1900’s.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1-4. Admission is free and knowledgeable volunteer docents are available to provide tours. The building is wheelchair accessible and is located at the intersection of 21st and N Streets.
The Merced County Historical Society hosts a wide range of history-themed events throughout the year.
Check the website for a current schedule and for more information about the museum: http://www.mercedmuseum.org/.
You can also call (209) 723-2401.
Showcases local artists and their creations in a variety of mediums. Special exhibits change several times a year. Currently on display is the 7th Annual California Centered Printmaking Show, featuring prints made by over 40 California artists.
Art classes for all ages are offered throughout the year by the Merced County Arts Council.
The Arbor Galley section of the Center is owned and operated by local artists.
Photo by Adam Blauert
You can enjoy (and purchase) beautiful paintings, ceramics, photography, textiles, sculpture, glass, turned wood, jewelry, giclee prints and greeting cards.
For more information, and for a schedule of events, classes, performances, tours, and special events, go to http://www.artsmerced.org/
or call (209) 388-1090.
The Arts Center is open 11AM-7PM Wednesday-Thursday and 10AM-5PM Friday-Saturday.
Arbor Galley is open 11AM-6PM Tuesday-Friday and 10AM-2PM on Saturdays.
Admission to both the Arts Center and Arbor Gallery is free.
2. Visit a local park
Offers picnic tables and BBQ grills, indoor and outdoor facility rentals for large events, boating, fishing, playgrounds, and a swimming beach and concessions in the summer.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Photo by Adam Blauert
Rental paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks have been available in the past and may be available again this summer.
The park is open daily during daylight hours and is located 7 miles north of downtown Merced at the end of Lake Road.
For more information go to Merced County Parks --(click here)
Photo by Adam Blauert
Applegate Park is Merced’s central park
Located south of Bear Creek between M and R Streets, this 32-acre park offers picnic tables and BBQ grills, a playground, the Applegate Park Zoo, amusement park rides at Kiwanis Kiddieland, facilities for tennis, basketball, softball, and volleyball, a skatepark, an open air theater, a rose garden, historic Laura’s Fountain, rental facilities, and plenty of shade.
It’s also adjacent to the Bear Creek Bikeway.
For more information go to Applegate Park -http://www.cityofmerced.org/depts/pw/parks_division/applegate_park.asp.
Located on the Merced River in the lower foothills near Snelling, Henderson is Merced County’s best county park.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Only 20 miles from Merced, it’s an easy drive. The park offers picnic tables with BBQ grills, large indoor and outdoor rental facilities for large events, playgrounds, a softball diamond, horseshoe pits, and fishing.
3. See wildlife
The Applegate Zoo showcases wildlife native to Central California.
In addition to being the only zoo between Fresno and Stockton, it’s also the best place to see local species including mountain lion, black bear, mule deer, bobcat, raccoon, fox, heron, owl, egret, hawk, kestrel, raven, and wild turkey.
Courtesy of the Merced Zoology Society
The zoo also has several exotic species and a petting zoo. The zoo is open from 10-5 daily in the spring and summer and from 10-4 in the fall and winter, weather permitting.
The only days it is regularly closed are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission price information, (click here).
Seniors receive free admission on the morning of the second Tuesday of each month.
Courtesy of the Merced Zoology Society
The zoo is located on R Street between Bear Creek and 25th Street. A parking lot is located on the corner of R and 25th.
For more information, visit the zoo’s webpage at (Click here) or call the Merced Zoological Society at (209) 725-DEER.
The Merced National Wildlife Refuge
A great place to see the birds that flock to the Central Valley in the winter months.
From November through February, millions of migratory birds make their home here. Other species make it their permanent home and the refuge can be enjoyed throughout the year, but the winter months are when it really puts on a show.
Photo by Adam Blauert
The refuge is open daily from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Evening is usually the best time to see birds returning from feeding (winter mornings are often foggy).
The refuge is part of a complex that includes the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos.
Located along the Pacific Flyway, an important migration corridor for dozens of species of waterfowl and other birds, the complex is an important stopping-place for Ross’ geese, Aleutian cackling geese, snow geese, green-winged teal, mallard, northern pintail, gadwall, American wigeon, northern shoveler, and white-fronted geese.
The refuge complex constitutes the largest contiguous freshwater wetlands remaining in California.
You can find the Merced National Wildlife Refuge on Sandy Mush Road, 8 miles west of Highway 59.
A 5.2 mile auto tour route circles the heart of the refuge with four viewpoints, two observation decks and access to three hiking trails. Visitors are asked to remain in their vehicles except at these points.
Meadowlark Trail – 1.5 mile loop
Cottonwood Trail –0 .5 mile loop
Bittern Marsh Trail –0.6 mile loop
The refuge is also a popular waterfowl hunting destination during the winter months. The sections where hunting is allowed are separate from the designated viewing area.
For a map of the refuge-(click here)
You can find a lot of general information about the refuge at: http://www.fws.gov/Refuge/Merced/
or you can call (209) 826-1445.
In addition to the many avian species, a herd of magnificent tule elk can be viewed in the San Luis Unit on Wolfsen Road north of Los Banos.
Once hunted nearly to extinction, stable populations now live in several areas throughout the state. The San Luis Unit also has a brand new visitor center – a great place to learn more about the refuge and its species.
4. Enjoy an evening downtown
Downtown Merced is undergoing a renaissance. With the construction of the Regal Hollywood Main place Stadium Cinema, the restoration of the Mondo Building and the Merced Theatre, and the opening of UC Merced, new life has come to our historic downtown.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Main Street offers live theatre and music, a wide variety of dining options, shopping, and regularly scheduled community events.
Located close to Applegate Park, the Merced County Historical Society’s Museum, and including several theater venues, you can enjoy a variety of entertainment and education on a single trip.
“The Original” Merced Certified Farmers’ Market, a separate operation, is open every Saturday morning Corner of 16th St. & Canal St. 8am - 12pm - Year-Round.
For more information go to http://mercedcfm.com/.
The Merced Art Hop
...is offered four times a year on Saturday evenings from 5-9PM. Downtown stores are open and feature the works of local artists. You can wander around, enjoy a meal, and listen to live music along the Downtown’s sidewalks.
For more information about the Art Hop, go to http://mercedarthop.com/.
5. Enjoy some live theater at the Playhouse Merced or the Merced Theatre
For the last 20 years, Playhouse Merced has entertained Merced with an average of 10 major productions of new and classic musicals and plays every season, along with many other performances, classes, and events.
Photo by Adam Blauert
For more information and to learn about current and future performances, go to http://www.playhousemerced.com/index.html or call (209) 725-8587.
After many years of hard work, the Merced Theatre Foundation completed a stunning restoration of the Merced Theatre in 2012.
For the past year, the Theatre has offered a remarkable selection of live music, comedy, and classic films on a weekly basis.
For more information and current events, go to http://www.mercedtheatre.org/
or call (209) 381-0500.
Top 5 things to do in the summer in and around Merced County
The days are long and hot, and many of us – especially our kids – have extra time to get out and do things.
Here’s five recommendations for some of the best local things to do during the hot months:
#1 – Go swimming
There are lots of places to cool off in the water in Merced County and we’ve updated our swimming page with details for this summer. CLICK HERE for local swimming
#2 – Celebrate Independence Day at one of our county’s big 4th of July events
Atwater has always celebrated Independence Day in a big way. That tradition continues this year with a parade, entertainment, food, bounce houses, a live concert, and a fireworks show. This year’s parade theme is “Back to the 80s” and celebrates the entertainment and events of that decade. For more information, go to http://www.atwater4thofjuly.com/.
Gustine: This year’s Gustine’s parade will begin at 10:30 AM and will feature a flyover by the Flying Eagles, squadron VFA-122 from Lemoore Naval Air Station. The parade will be followed by activities for children in Henry Miller Park. Food and drinks will be available from a variety of food venders. The celebration will conclude with fireworks at Gustine High School after dark.
Lake McClure. You can bring food and beverages to enjoy before and during the show. For more information go to http://www.lakemcclure.com/
Livingston offers live music, a fireworks show that is billed as the largest in the valley, a carnival, and a car show. The events stretch from July 1st through 4th. For more information, go to http://livingston4thofjuly.com/.
#3 – Beyond the Fourth of July, there are lots of other community events to enjoy throughout the summer
“The Original” Merced Certified Famers’ Market: http://mercedcfm.com/
The Merced College Farmers’ Market - http://www.mccd.edu/news/latest-news/items/famers_market_sept_2018.html
CHOWCHILLA’s MUSIC IN THE PARK
BEGINS THURSDAY, JUNE 20
The City of Chowchilla has released the schedule of summer park concerts for 2019. The weekly Thursday night concerts will be presented in Veterans Memorial Park on the Barragan Family Stage.
There are some favorites returning along with some bands making their first appearance in the concert series. Concerts begin June 20 and continue to August 1. Because of the Independence Day Holiday there will be no concert on Thursday, July 4. All shows will begin at 7:30 PM.
We will have a larger dance patio installed before this year’s concert series so come prepared to listen, clap your hands, tap your feet, and dance into the night this summer on Thursday nights in downtown Chowchilla.
June 20 – Danny Milsap Band – Honky Tonk Country
June 27 – Bill Clifton’s Chicken & Whiskey Band – Rhythm & Blues
July 11 – The Monsanto Band – High Energy Latin Sounds
July 18 – Michael Walker Band – California Country Rock
July 24 – Yard Dogs Band –50’s and 60’s Classic Rock & Roll
August 1 – QPOP Radio Band with the Blow-Pops Horn Section – Groovy 60’s & 70’s Rock & Roll
CHOWCHILLA’S MOVIES IN THE PARK BEGINS FRIDAY, JUNE 21
Mark your calendars and plan to be in downtown Chowchilla on four special Friday nights this summer as the City of Chowchilla presents FREE family-fun movies that will delight audiences of all ages.
“Movies in the Park” returns to Veterans Memorial Park on Robertson Boulevard at 6th Street starting Friday, June 21. Show times start at SUNSET. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, sleeping bags and enjoy a fun night watching an outdoor movie on the BIG inflatable screen with full sound filling the park. This summer enjoy the following movies.
June 21 – How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
June 28 – Holes (2003)
July 12 – Cool Runnings (1993)
July 19 – Monsters, Inc. (2001)
City of Merced
Sports and fun for kids of all ages. Flag Football, Baseball and lots of fun activities.
For more information - https://www.cityofmerced.org/depts/parks_n_community_services/
Outdoor movies: City of Merced Parks and Recreation.
For more information - https://www.cityofmerced.org/depts/parks_n_community_services/
Merced Shakespearefest ‘s performance https://www.mercedshakespearefest.org/
#4 – Enjoy the waterslides at a nearby waterpark
For a memorable day you can enjoy these waterslides nearby:
Wild Water Adventure Park (Clovis): https://www.wildwater.net/
Island Water Park (Fresno): http://www.islandwaterpark.com/
#5 - Rafting adventure
For the wildest kind of water adventure, raft one of our amazing local rivers with a professional whitewater rafting company, or rent equipment to raft the gentler lower section of the Stanislaus River on your own:
Guided whitewater trips: The Merced and Tuolumne Rivers provide some of the best rafting in the state. Rafting these rivers is an unforgettable experience, full of thrills and excitement. The following companies lead trips of various lengths and difficulty levels.
The Tuolumne River can usually be rafted all summer, while the Merced River is more dependent on the amount of snowmelt and the rafting season often ends in July.
ARTA: http://www.arta.org/ / (209) 962-7873
All-Outdoors California Whitewater: http://www.aorafting.com/ / (800) 247-2387
Mariah Wilderness Expeditions: http://www.mariahrafting.com/ / (800) 462-7424
O.A.R.S.: http://www.oars.com/california / (800) 346-6277
Sierra Mac: http://www.sierramac.com/ (800) 457-2580
Whitewater Voyages: http://www.whitewatervoyages.com/ (800) 400-7238
Zephyr Whitewater: http://www.zrafting.com/
Stanislaus River raft and tube rentals: Starting at the historic town of Knights Ferry, a 6-mile stretch of the river can be easily floated without a guide. Two companies rent rafts, oars, and life jackets. Rafts can accommodate entire families and it is an adventure that any age can enjoy. The raft companies provide transportation back to Knights Ferry after you have completed your float down the river.
River Journey - http://www.riverjourney.com/ / (800) 292-2938
Sunshine Rafting - http://raftadventure.com/ / (800) 829-7238
Swimming Pools in Merced County area
Swimming Pools
Community swimming pools are located throughout Merced County. Programs include swimming lessons, recreational swimming, and pool rentals.
A variety of local swim leagues provides the opportunity for youth to improve their swim skills and compete in swim meets. Scroll down to explore the possibilities.
Atwater - (209) 357-6320
Delhi - (209) 656-2000
Dos Palos - (209) - 392-2178
Gustine - (209) 854-6471
Hilmar - (209) 667-6947
Livingston - (209) 394-8830
Los Banos - (209) 826-3801
Merced - (209) 385-6855.
Local Swim Leagues
Swimming is also possible at the following reservoirs, state, and county parks
Swim At UC Merced
Aquatics Center
Summer Facility Hours
Monday - Friday - 6:30-11am, 4:30-7:30 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Sunday - 4:30-7:30 pm
Memberships, designed for your convenience, can be easily purchased at the Gallo Recreation & Wellness Center, Aquatics Center during our hours of operation , or online.
All Members
Locker Rooms are available for use. Day-use lockers are available, but must be emptied each day.
Upon arrival to the Aquatics Center, please present your CatCard or Membership card for scanning at the ticket office next to the Aquatics Center Entrance. We are a touchless facility, so please have your barcode ready to be scanned. If your CatCard does not have a barcode on it, don't worry, please use the MobileID for your CatCard. Once you have logged in to the MobileID, please select the Gym to display your barcode.
Please use the provided showers before entering the facility.
Upon leaving the pool, it is recommended to shower.
Atwater
Recreational swimming is offered Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 PM and Saturday from 12 to 4 PM. Swim lessons for children are also available.
Location: 2201 Fruitland Avenue, Atwater, CA 95301
For current information, including swim lesson schedules, call Atwater’s Department of Parks and Community Services at (209) 357-6320.
We are offering 3 sessions: June 12 thru June 23, July 3 thru July 14 and July 17 thru July 28. We offer: 11am, 12am, 1pm,3pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6pm classes each class is for one hour a day Monday thru Friday. Each session cost $45 per child.
Delhi
Located at Delhi High School, the Delhi pool offers recreational swimming, family swim nights, and swim lessons during the summer months. During the summer of 2016, the pool will be open from June 28th through August 6th.
Swim hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 4 PM. Admission is $1. A special family swim night is offered every Friday, with the pool open from 5 to 7:45 PM. Admission on family swim nights is $0.75 per person.
Location: Delhi High School, 16881 W. Schendel Road, Delhi.
For more information, contact the Delhi Unified School District at (209) 656-2000.
Dos Palos
The pool at Dos Palos High School offers swimming lessons and recreational swim hours during the summer months.
Recreational swim hours: 12-4PM M-F, $1/person
Adult lap swim: 7-8:30PM, $1/person
Location: Dos Palos High School, corner of Mabel Avenue and Palo Alto Street.
For current information call City of Dos Palos Parks and Recreation at 392-2178.
Gustine
The Gustine Aquatics Center at Henry Miller Park offers the following programs during the summer months: water aerobics, open swim, night swim, and pool rental.
Location: Henry Miller Park, corner of 3rd Ave. and 6th St., Gustine, CA
For more information call Gustine City Hall at (209) 854-6471.
The pool is open from 9 to 10 AM Monday through Thursday for adult lap swim. Open swim is held Monday through Friday from 12 to 4 PM.
NIght swim is offered on Tuesday andThursday nights form 6 to 8 PM. Admission is $3/person or $2 for senior citizens.
You can save money by paying in advance and for those who want to swim frequently, unlimited visit passes are available.
Water aerobics and swim lessons are also offered - see the City of Gustine webpage for more information: http://www.cityofgustine.com/newsView.aspx?nid=2963.
Hilmar
Located in Hilmar Park, the pool offers swimming lessons, recreational swimming hours, water aerobics, and lap swimming.
Location: Hilmar Park, corner of Lander Avenue and Falke Street.
Morning lap swim: 6:30-8 AM, Monday-Friday
Combined lap swim and water aerobics: 12-1 PM, Monday-Friday
Evening lap swim: 6:30-PM, MWF
Recreational swim: 1-4 PM Tuesday - Friday, 12-3 PM Saturday
Water boot camp: 7:30-8:30 PM, Tuesday and Thursday
Swim Lessons 4:30-6:30 PM Monday through Thursday in 2-week sessions
To sign up for swim lessons or for more information call the pool at 667-6947 between 1 and 4 PM on a weekday.
Hilmar Hammerheads Swim Team
Website - http://www.hac.teampages.com/
Livingston
The Livingston High School pool - 209-394-8830
FOR 2017 THE SWIMMING POOL IS CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION.
Location: 1617 Main Street, Livingston, CA 95334
For more information call Livingston City Hall at 209-394-8830.
Los Banos
Swimming lessons and open swim hours are offered at the Los Banos County Park during the summer months.
Location: 1414 South 7th Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
For more information call the Los Banos School District at (209) 826-3801
Merced
The City of Merced operates city pools at
Ada Givens Park
McNamara Park
Stephen Leonard Park.
These pools are available to rent for private events. Swim lessons are offered for children of all ages starting with a “parent and me” class for toddlers as young as six months.
Merced College offers a variety of swim programs during the summer and throughout the year.
City of Merced Swim Lessons: Four two-week sessions are offered from June through early August. Five levels of instruction include:
Parent and Me (Ages 6 months to 3 years)
Tiny Tots 1: (Ages 3 to 5 years)
Tiny Tots 2 (Ages 4 to 6 years)
Beginner Prep: (Ages 6 to 10 years)
Stroke Technique: (Ages 7 years and up)
Call the city at 385-6978 for more information and current schedules.
City of Merced Recreational Swim Programs
The City of Merced offers swimming during the summer at McNamara Park, Golden Valley High School, and Merced High School.
Swim lessons are offered for children of all ages starting with a “parent and me” class for toddlers as young as six months. Merced College offers a variety of swim programs during the summer and throughout the year.
City of Merced Swim Lessons: Three two-week sessions are offered from June through July. For the summer of 2016, there are still some lessons available at MacNamara Park in the mornings. Five levels of instruction include:
Parent and Me (Ages 6 months to 3 years)
Tiny Tots 1: (Ages 3 to 5 years)
Tiny Tots 2 (Ages 4 to 6 years)
Beginner Prep: (Ages 6 to 10 years)
Stroke Technique: (Ages 7 years and up)
Call the city at (209) 385-6855. for more information, schedules, and to sign up.
City of Merced Recreational Swim Programs: On summer afternoons, the Memorial Plunge at McNamara Park and the Golden Valley High School pool are open for recreational swimming.
Recreational swim hours:
Golden Valley High School: Saturday and Sunday, 3-6 PM
MacNamara Park: Thursday-Sunday, 3-6 PM
The cost for admission - please call.
Youth under age 18 swim free on Fridays at MacNamara Park.
City of Merced Pool Rentals:
For more information, call the city at (209) 385-6855.
Rentals are available from May through August.
Location of City of Merced Pools:
Memorial Plunge at McNamara Park: Corner of 11th and K Streets, Merced
Golden Valley High School Pool: 2121 E. Childs Ave., Merced, CA 95341
Merced High School Pool: 205 W. Olive Ave., Merced, CA 95348
Merced College Pool: Merced College’s Community Service Department provides recreation classes for all ages. Programs for children include swimming lessons, diving lessons, and water polo. Adult recreational lap swimming is offered throughout the year.
For more information, call (209) 384-6224.
Local Swim Leagues
The Merced County Swim League consists of ten teams from Merced County and surrounding communities. Merced is also home to the Merced Skimmers Swim Team, which practices regularly at Merced College.
Skimmers offers youth programs and master swimming for adults.
Contact Information
Merced Skimmers
Website: http://www.mercedskimmers.com/
Merced County Swim League
Atwater stingrays
Los Banos Tigersharks
Website: https://lbtigersharks.swimtopia.com/
Pumpkin Patches and Fall Farm Events
Photo by Adam Blauert
You can always find pumpkins at every grocery store this time of year, but it’s a lot more fun to go and pick one out at a pumpkin patch. There are a lot of great local farms offering a wide range of pumpkins, squash, gourds, and exciting harvest-themed activities.
In the Merced-Planada-Plainsburg-Le Grand area, the Bear Creek Pumpkin Patch has teamed up with the Vista Ranch and Cellars this year. They’ve set up a beautiful and extensive selection of pumpkins near the main parking lot at the Vista. Varieties include carving pumpkins of all sizes, heirloom pumpkins, mini pumpkins, and colorful squash and gourds. You can also buy local produce and taste local wine during your visit. Picnic tables are available and wood oven pizzas are served from 11 AM to 4 PM on weekends. Educational field trips and private parties can be scheduled in advance.
Location: 7326 East Highway 140, Merced
Hours open: Daily 9 AM – 6 PM
More information: (209) 722-8200 / http://vistacellars.com/pumpkin-patch/
Photo by Adam Blauert
Located right inside Merced, the Merced College U-Pick Pumpkin Patch sells pumpkins raised on the Merced College Farm, with sale proceeds benefitting the farm program.
Location: Community College Drive on the Merced College Campus
For more information, contact Steve Bell (209) 384-6251
Proceeds benefit the Merced College Farm
Photo by Adam Blauert
Located between Merced and Atwater, Hunter Farms is again offering an exciting range of pumpkins and fun activities.
Centered around a historic barn, Hunter Farms has a lot of great backdrops for family photos, plus hay rides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, a trike track, a hay pyramid to climb, a time-travel tractor train ride, and panning for gemstones. There’s also room to eat a picnic lunch during your visit. School field trips, birthday parties, and other group events can be scheduled in advance.
Location: 2985 SP Avenue, Atwater
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM weekdays, 10 AM – dusk
More information: (209) 394-4444http://www.hunterfamilyfarms.com/pumpkinpatch.html
Photo by Adam Blauert
The Los Banos Pumpkin Patch is the place to find great pumpkins on the Westside. In addition to a big selection of pumpkins, there are backdrops for family photos and a unique “barrel train” that runs on weekends. Proceeds from the sales help kids attend camp. School field trips can be scheduled by calling in advance.
Location: Paradiso Motors Parking Lot on Pacheco Blvd(Highway 152) at the I Street intersection
Hours: Monday-Friday noon – 9 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 9 PM, Sunday 11:30 ish (after church) – 9 PM
More information: (209) 826-7575
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Banos-Pumpkin-Patch/246000048786070?v=info
Photo by adam blauert
Turlock’s R.A.M. Farms is the perfect destination if you live in the north part of our county. They offer more than 60 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, plus a gigantic 15 acre corn maze! Open every day during daylight hours, you can also choose to explore it in the dark on a special “Freaky Flashlight Night” – offered Friday and Saturday nights. Halloween-themed “Movies Under the Stars” are also offered on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at dusk. Other attractions include a “scary shed” and pumpkin bowling. Birthday parties and educational trips can be scheduled in advance.
Location: 716 N. Daubenberger Road, Turlock
Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 AM – dusk, Friday – Saturday 10 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 8 PM
Contact information / more information: (209) 668-2425 / http://www.ramfarms.com/pumpkin-patch/
Blossom Tours
After the first rains of the winter season, the foothills start to turn green. By late March, wildflower displays are common, usually lasting into May. In the high elevation subalpine and alpine zones of the Sierra, the wildflower displays arrive in June and last through July or August.
Fall brings vibrant leaf displays especially in the aspen groves.This transformation starts in late September and lasts through much of October.All of these are sights well worth seeing at some point in your life and returning to again and again if possible.
Closer to home, the orchards of the Central Valley put on their own extraordinary blossom show from the end of February through the beginning of March.
The best website available for blossom information and driving tours (you can also ride your bike along these routes) is offered by the UC Cooperative Extension at:http://cemerced.ucanr.edu/Blossom_Tours_262/.
These tours are a great way to enjoy the beauty of our local outdoors in the early spring.
Photo by Adam Blauert
The UC Extension’s estimates for blossom dates are as follows:
Almond blossoms usually peak between February 25th and 28th +/- 10 days, depending on weather.
Apricot blossoms can be expected between March 1st and March 10th +/- one week.
Peach and nectarine blossoms peak approximately March 10th +/- one week.
Their website offers several different tours including:
A Peach Blossom Tour of Northern Merced County (Atwater, Winton, Cressey, Ballico, Delhi areas)
An Almond Blossom Tour of Northern Merced County (Atwater, Winton, Cressey, Ballico, Delhi areas)
An Almond Blossom Tour of Eastern Merced County (Planada, Plainsburg, Le Grand areas)
An Apricot and Almond Tour of the Los Banos Area
Photo by Adam Blauert
The descriptions and maps for these tours can be found at: http://cemerced.ucanr.edu/Blossom_Tours_262/.
Almonds, apricots, peaches, nectarines, pistachios, and walnuts are the most common tree crops grown in Merced County.There are a very limited number of plums, prunes, figs, cherries, and Asian pears.
To learn how to identify the blossoms, the UC Extension has a downloadable guide:http://cemerced.ucanr.edu/files/40706.pdf.
The download doesn’t have photos, but you can find some at:http://cemerced.ucanr.edu/Pictorial_Guide_to_Fruit_and_Nut_Crops_Grown_in_Merced_County/.
There are also written descriptions on the Fresno County Blossom Trail site:http://www.goblossomtrail.com/.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Although not described on these sites, pistachio and walnut blossoms are small, not very showy, and greenish in color.The other trees are your best bet for photos.
These blossom drives provide endless vistas for photography.The best days for beautiful views are afternoons and mornings when the sun shines through the dark clouds of a departing storm and the days directly following storms.Warm afternoon to evening light adds warmth to the scenes.
The Fresno County Blossom Trail website has a gallery of photos that gives some examples of how photographers have successfully captured beautiful images of blossoms:http://www.gofresnocounty.com/BlossomTrail/Pictures.asp
If you’re already familiar with local blossom trails and are looking for something different, the Fresno County Blossom Trail offers some additional varieties of blossoms set against the foothills of eastern Fresno County.Fresno County has a larger number of plum, apple, and citrus trees.
For a map, information, and places to stop along the trail go to http://www.goblossomtrail.com/.
To enjoy a blossom drive, here are a few suggestions:
Pack water, jackets, snacks, cameras, and sunglasses.
Print out the map of your route (see the above links).
Be aware that bees are working in the orchards and be careful to avoid being stung.If you are allergic to bee stings, bring any bee allergy remedies that your doctor has prescribed for you.
Stay out of the orchards unless you have permission to enter them.The orchards are private property and you don’t have to enter them to get great photos.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Later in the season, the produce of our local farms is available from local vendors:
Merced Certified Farmers’ Market:http://mercedcfm.com/
Merced Fruit Barn:http://www.mercedfruitbarn.com/
Vista Ranch and Cellars - Merced:http://vistacellars.com/
Buchannan Hollow Nut Company – south of Merced:http://www.bhnc.com/
Riverdance Farms - Livingston:http://riverdancefarms.com/
Le Grand Farmers Market:https://www.facebook.com/legrandfarmersmarket
Marchini Farms Fruit Stand - Le Grand:http://www.jmarchinifarms.com/products/radicchio.html
Hilmar Cheese:http://www.hilmarcheese.com/
Wolfsen’s Meat and Sausage - Gustine:http://www.wolfsensausage.com/
Pageo Lavender Farm - Turlock:http://pageolavenderfarm.com/
Turlock Certified Farmers’ Market:http://www.turlockmarket.org/
Rodin Ranch Famers’ Market - Modesto:http://rodinranch.com/
Modesto Certified Farmers Market:http://modestocfm.com/
Fresno County Fruit Trails downloadable map and information:http://cemerced.ucanr.edu/files/71388.pdf
Madera Wine Trail:http://www.maderawinetrail.com/
Mariposa County Wineries:http://www.sierrawines.com/ava.aspx?id=24
Tuolumne County Wineries:http://www.sierrawines.com/ava.aspx?id=25
Some of these are featured on the downloadable map provided by Merced County Country Ventures:http://www.country-ventures.org/
Top 5 Things to do in the Spring in and Around Merced County
Photo By Adam Blauert
Springtime
According to the system by which seasons are calculated, spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20th this year. Signs of the new season, however, start with the first blossoms on flowering trees in town and in the county’s orchards.
The almond trees are the first major orchard tree to bloom, usually starting by mid-February and peaking towards the end of the month. Their bloom was early this year and is already over, but the peach bloom is currently in its prime.
1. Blossom tours
Blossom tours are a great way to enjoy the outdoors at the time when winter is fading into spring. Looking for something relaxing to do in the outdoors?
Photo By Adam Blauert
Take a drive on the rural roads of our county and enjoy the blossom display. For the driving directions and a map to the county’s driving (or biking) tour of peach blossoms, use the following links provided by the UC Extension program:
Description: http://cemerced.ucanr.edu/files/40627.pdf
Map: http://cemerced.ucanr.edu/files/40628.pdf
Peach blossoms are a vibrant pink and they photograph nicely, especially in the warm light that often comes as sunlight breaks through clouds. For an enjoyable drive, pack water, jackets, snacks, cameras, and sunglasses.
Photo By Adam Blauert
Remember that orchards are private property and you should stay along the road unless the property owner invites you onto his/her property. You can enjoy the blossoms and get great photos without venturing from the side of the road. You can find a lot of additional information about blossom tours by clicking here. This is something to do the first week of March before the blossoms fall. Not all orchards bloom at exactly the same time, so some will already be losing their blossoms when you go, but you are guaranteed to find some that still have vibrant displays through the second week of March.
2. Bike Ride
Enjoying a bike ride on a local bike path is another one of the joys of spring. The temperature is nice, the skies are usually blue, and plants and trees are coming back to life. It’s a beautiful and comfortable time to be outdoors. Explore the town on one of the city’s bike paths. My favorites are the Bear Creek loop between McKee Road and G Street and the path that follows Lake Road between Yosemite Avenue and Lake Yosemite.
Photo By Adam Blauert
More experienced bikers can enjoy riding rural roads throughout the county, but the bike paths provide a safe environment for riding with family members, especially small children.
For a downloadable map of bike paths in Merced:
City of Merced city bikeway map (click here)
Merced bike paths on Google Maps (click here)
For more information about bike routes throughout the county, click here .
3. Wildflower driving tours
After the orchard blossoms fall to the ground, wildflower season kicks into gear in our local foothills. You can enjoy them easily on a short driving trip to Mariposa County. Although late March through early May is usually the best time for wildflowers, this year they have arrived early.
Photo By Adam Blauert
I recommend heading up to Mariposa County on Highway 140 and then exploring some of the back roads such as:
Old Highway (the original Highway 140 between Catheys Valley and the Mariposa Fairgrounds)
Yaqui Gulch Road
Ben Hur Road
Indian Gulch Road
Bear Valley Road
Old Toll Road
Pendola Garden Road
Mt. Gaines Road
Hunters Valley Road
Briceburg Road
Twelve miles east of downtown Mariposa, the Briceburg road is a left-hand turn from Highway 140. It is often one of the best places to see California poppies. The Merced River Canyon between Briceburg and the entrance to Yosemite can also have very nice displays.
All you need is a full tank of gas, a map of Mariposa County, water, jackets, snacks, cameras, and sunglasses.
You can pack a picnic lunch or try one of the many restaurants in Mariposa. You can see great wildflower displays from the side of the road without trespassing, so please make sure that you obey all posted signs and avoid venturing onto private land.
4. Local hikes
You can enjoy more wildflowers and more views on foot. Here are five favorite places to hike in the spring:
Hite Cove: Probably the most popular wildflower hike in our area, this trail starts 20 miles east of Mariposa on the east side of Highway 140.
Photo By Adam Blauert
After the highway crosses the South Fork of the Merced River, look for a parking area on the west side of the roadway. The trail starts by climbing a paved roadway and then becomes a narrow dirt path with a steep drop-off down to the river. Some of the best wildflowers are usually found along the first half mile, so you don’t have to hike far. If you’re up for a longer hike, however, you can follow it for 3 ½ miles to Hite Cove, a bend in the river where a mining community thrived in the 1860s. A few rock walls and pieces of rusted iron machinery remain.
Table Mountain (Tuolumne County): Located near Jamestown, this hike involves a steep climb to the top of the iconic table that follows Highway 108 and the course of an ancient channel of the Stanislaus River. The trail climbs through oaks to the flat tabletop for excellent views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Wildflowers shows on top of the table can be excellent, especially in wet years. The round-trip hike is about 3 miles with 400 feet of elevation gain.
For more information and maps, call the Bureau of Reclamation at (209) 536-9094 or go to http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/. There is no fee to park or use this area.
Pacheco State Park: Although most of the best wildflower hikes are located in the Sierra foothills, the Coast Range also often has some great displays.
Photo By Adam Blauert
Pacheco State Park, located on the south side of Highway 152 about 15 1/2 miles west of I-5, has nearly 30 miles of hiking trails where wildflowers may be enjoyed. For more about Pacheco State Park click here.
For more information go to http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=560
or call (209) 826-1197
The day use fee is $10/vehicle.
Path of the Padres: Also on the west side of the Central Valley, the Path of the Padres is another of the top local wildflower destinations. This trail starts at Los Banos Creek Reservoir and is only accessible on guided hikes, offered regularly in February, March, and April of each year.
For reservations, call (209) 826-1197.
The docents who lead these hikes know a lot about the area’s human and natural history and participating in a hike is a great way to learn. There is a $12/person fee for the guided hike, which lasts most of the day and totals about 5 ½ miles round trip after crossing the reservoir on a pontoon boat.
There is a per person fee for the guided hike, which lasts most of the day and totals about 5 ½ miles round trip after crossing the reservoir on a pontoon boat. For more info click here.
Knights Ferry: In the sleepy hamlet of Knights Ferry, pedestrians can still cross the Stanislaus River on a historic covered bridge. The stone and brick walls of buildings from the 1850s and 1860s line the river and an easy pathway along the river provides beautiful views of the town and the canyon. The path is only a 3 mile round trip walk, but it packs in a lot of beautiful scenes.
The trail starts on the north side of town at the end of the main road along the river near the stone and brick shell of the old Tulloch Mill.
For more information, call the Knights Ferry Information Center at 209-881-3517. There is no charge for parking or access to the river, trail, and historic buildings.
There is no charge for parking or access to the river, trail, and historic buildings.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Some of the best foothill hikes are guided outings and classes organized by the Sierra Foothill Conservancy. During the spring months, they offer hikes and classes for all ages and abilities on the preserves and conservation easements that they manage in Mariposa, Madera, and Fresno Counties.
The Mariposa County easements are less than an hour’s drive from Merced.
For more information and a calendar of events:
http://www.sierrafoothill.org/
or call (209) 742-5556.
5. Local camping
Another way to take advantage of the nice weather is to go on a camping trip. There are lots of places to camp locally and they are most enjoyable in the spring and fall.
Photo By Adam Blauert
You can get from home to your campsite in less than an hour if you book a site at one of the following parks:
Lakes McClure and McSwain: http://www.lakemcclure.com/ / (855) 800-2267
Lake Don Pedro: http://www.donpedrolake.com/
New Melones: http://www.recreation.gov/ / (877) 444-6777
McConnell State Recreation Area: http://www.reserveramerica.com
Hensley Lake: http://www.recreation.gov/ / (877) 444-6777
Eastman Lake: http://www.recreation.gov/ / (877) 444-6777
San Luis Reservoir: http://www.reserveramerica.com
Photo By Adam Blauert
All of these are located between the floor of the valley and the 1,500 foot elevation level, so weather is similar to Merced.
Beware of rattlesnakes (possible at all except McConnell). Some allow dogs, and fires may be allowed depending on the location and the dryness of the landscape.
Always check current conditions in advance. McClure, Don Pedro, and New Melones are my personal favorites for lakeside camping (Eastman and Hensley currently have extremely low water levels due to the drought).
Photo By Adam Blauert
McConnell is the best place to camp along the lower part of the Merced River.
Yosemite National Park Winter Activities
photo by Adam Blauert
There is plenty to do in the wintertime in Yosemite.
Now is a good time to take advantage of "No Fee Day" in Yosemite National Park.
It may be a little chilly so be sure to dress warmly.
Tire chains and emergency supplies
Make sure you pack them for travel as weather can be unpredictable!
Winter Snow recreation
Downhill skiing and snowboarding: Badger Pass Ski Area has offered downhill skiing since the 1930’s.
Today it is a family-friendly place with slopes ranging from easy to challenging, equipment rentals, and lessons for all ages and abilities. http://www.yosemitepark.com/badgerpass.aspx
Ice skating
The Curry Village Ice Rink in Yosemite Valley has been a popular place to ice skate since 1928.
All ages enjoy the ice and skate rentals are available in all sizes. Ice skating is surprisingly affordable and most people find it far less difficult that they might expect.
For more information go to: http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activities_WinterActivities_IceSkatingRink.aspx
Snow play
Yosemite Valley and Crane Flat are great places for kids to play in the snow. At an elevation of 6,000 feet, Crane Flat has more consistent snowfall.
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing Both of these forms of over-snow transportation provide fun recreation, exercise, and opportunities to get away from crowds. Snowshoes can be rented at Badger Pass, the Crane Flat Store, and the Curry Village Ice Rink (Yosemite Valley). Cross-country skis can be rented at Badger Pass.
Lessons and overnight group trips are available at Badger Pass.
For more information on snowshoeing go to: http://www.yosemitepark.com/BadgerPass_Snowshoeing.aspx
and for cross-country skiing go to:
http://www.yosemitepark.com/BadgerPass_CrossCountrySkiing.aspx
The park maintains overnight accommodations at Glacier Point and Ostrander Lake for those ready to attempt a challenging trip. Popular day trips include visiting the Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Merced giant sequoia groves.
Top 5 things to do in the Fall in and around Merced County
Fall is my favorite season in the Central Valley. There’s nothing I look forward to more than the end of our nearly endless summer. It’s not that I hate summer; it’s just that it lasts so long!
Fall is the time of year when it’s comfortable to do just about anything outdoors. As the season progresses, a warm layer or two is necessary, but it is still often comfortable to be outdoors unless there is fog or rain. Fall offers crisp mornings and evenings, cleaner air and clearer skies, changing leaves, and rain.
The arrival of fall isn’t all that different from the arrival of spring. The weather is similar and in both seasons nature has something spectacular to offer. Here’s my five top recommendations for things you can do locally in the fall, plus a one additional idea:
#1 Pumpkin Patches and Fall Farm Events (October)
#2 Fall Colors Bike Rides and Walks (mid to late November)
#3 Get Ready for Viewing Wildlife at Our Local Wildlife Refuges (entire fall season)
#4 Astronomy Events (October – December)
#5 Fall Hikes (as soon as the weather cools off – usually October – November)
Bonus #6 Local Camping (best in October, but often possible in November, especially the first half)
1. Pumpkin Patches and Fall Farm Events
Photo by adam blauert
With farming being a major part of the local economy since our county’s establishment, it’s not hard to find good pumpkin patches and fun fall farm events. In addition to being able to buy a wide range of pumpkins, gourds, and squash for decoration and carving, our local pumpkin patches also offer corn mazes, hay rides, and a wide range of other fun activities, including great backdrops for family photos.
For more information about five exciting pumpkin patches in our area, click here.
2. Fall Colors Bike Rides and Walks
PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
You don’t have to go far to enjoy brilliant fall colors. Merced has been a part of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City U.S.A. program for 35 years. It’s one of only 141 towns or cities with this recognition in a state of 38 million people. What this means is that our city has made a concerted effort to plant and maintain trees – trees that provide shade, reduce energy costs, beautify our city, and provide brilliant fall colors throughout November.
You can enjoy these trees as you drive or walk around town.
The display is often so good that Sunset Magazine featured it back in 2009, with a beautiful photo of trees along the Bear Creek bike path forming a canopy of vibrant organs, reds , and yellows.
The entire Bear Creek Bike Path between McKee Road and R Street is one of the best places to walk or bike beneath glowing autumn leaves.
For a downloadable map of bike paths in Merced, go to www.cityofmerced.org/documents/bikepathmap.pdf.
For more information about bike routes throughout the county, click here
3. Get Ready for Viewing Wildlife at Our Local Wildlife Refuges:
Winter is by far the best time of year to see wildlife. Within our county is the extensive San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes the Merced National Wildlife Refuge on Sandy Mush Road, and the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge adjacent to Highway 165 north of Los Banos. There are also several units of state wildlife refuge lands and state parks, mostly on the west side of the county.
PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Located along one of the world’s greatest migration routes – the Pacific Flyway – our refuges are the winter homes for millions of birds that spend the summer in Canada and the Arctic. There are also many that live in the refuges year-round, and a magnificent herd of tule elk at the San Luis Refuge. What makes the wintertime the best season to visit the refuges is the multitudes of wintering birds. The best time to visit is usually late December through early February and all the refuges are open to the public completely free of charge.
For more information about the areas that you can visit, click here Merced County Events Wildlife Refuge page.
PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
The reason why I recommend fall as a time to “get ready” for winter viewing is that the refuges are much easier to appreciate if you know what you are looking at. The San Luis Refuge Complex and the nearby state refuges and state parks are the permanent or temporary homes of over 200 bird species, in addition to mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects. If you don’t know much about this multitude of local species, it can be confusing. The more you learn, the more enjoyable and interesting the refuges become. You’ll spend less time flipping through a thick species guidebook trying to figure out what you’re looking at. Although I’ve spent a fair amount of time learning local species over the last few years, the more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to learn.
To learn local species, I heartily recommend a visit to the Great Valley Museum at Modesto Junior College. The museum reopened this year in the college’s new Science Community Center building. The exhibits recreate local habitats in meticulous detail.
You can see the same species you’d see at a refuge, but here you see them up-close and without having to catch them in between movements. Informative signs provide the names and interesting information about each. Although the majority of the museum’s visitors are elementary-age students, the exhibits are designed to be interesting and informative to all ages.
The museum also has a planetarium with interesting shows – usually offered on Fridays and weekends. For more information, click here Merced County Events Great Valley Museum page. Visiting is a fun, interesting experience, and it will make your next trip to a refuge more meaningful.
Although winter is often the most exciting time to visit the refuges, there are still things to see in the fall, especially the elk at the San Luis Refuge. They can be seen from the 5-mile auto tour route that surrounds the elk enclosure and from the viewing platform near the end of the one-way auto tour route.
The refuge has begun holding Tule Elk Day annually in mid-October. If the date has already passed - it is worth remembering for next year. The event features van tours inside the elk enclosure to see the elk up close. The van tours and access to the refuge are both free to all visitors!
Migratory birds begin to arrive in November and the Merced National Wildlife Refuge is holding a Crane Day event on November 14th to celebrate the arrival of the Lesser Sandhill Cranes.
You can sign up for guided bus tours of the refuge by calling the refuge’s headquarters at (209) 826-3508. The tours are offered at 8AM and 10AM and there is no charge for the tours or for refuge access!
4. Astronomy Events:
Fall and winter bring the clearest skies to our area. In between storms can be a great time to enjoy the night sky. The Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Modesto’s Great Valley Museum, and the Downing Planetarium at Fresno State University all offer nighttime astronomy programs from October through December. Upcoming astronomy events include:
Fresno State University’s Downing Planetarium: Planetarium shows and telescope viewing from dusk to 8PM. For more information go to https://www.fresnostate.edu/csm/downing-planetarium/weekendshows.html or call (559) 278-4121. Advanced ticket purchase through the website is recommended.
Great Valley Museum “Science Night at the Museum”: The night features telescope viewing provided by the Modesto Junior College Astronomy Club, planetarium shows, and access to all the museum’s exhibits.
For more information, call (209) 575-6196.
For more information about the museum - https://www.mercedcountyevents.com/parks-zoos-museums-2/mjcs-great-valley-museum-and-planetarium
Or. go to the official website at http://www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/gvm/. Parking and telescope viewing are free, planetarium shows and museum admission are regular price.
For museum admission click here for prices and discounts.
Sierra Foothill Conservancy “Beginning Astronomy” at the MacKenzie Table Mountain Preserve. Bring your own binoculars. Flashlights, snacks, warm drinks, folding chairs, and blankets are recommended. There is a ¼ mile walk from the parking area to the viewing area.
Advanced registration is required because spots are limited.
For more information and to register, go to http://www.sierrafoothill.org/ .
You can also call the Conservancy at (559) 855-3473.
The MacKenzie Table Mountain Preserve is located on Auberry Road near Millerton Lake.
Driving directions are located on the Conservancy’s website. Allow at least 90 minutes travel time from Merced.
For all nighttime astronomy events, dress warmly!
5. Local Hikes:
By the end of summer, the hills surrounding our valley are usually dry and bare. They may not be particularly attractive in 100 degree heat under a dirty beige sky, but as soon as the weather changes and a storm clears out the air, the views can be outstanding.
Here are five favorite places to hike in the fall – the first three are the same as my springtime recommendations and the remaining two are new:
Table Mountain (Tuolumne County): Located near Jamestown, this hike involves a steep climb to the top of the iconic table that follows Highway 108 and the course of an ancient channel of the Stanislaus River. The trail climbs through oaks to the flat summit for excellent views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The round-trip hike is about 3 miles with 400 feet of elevation gain. For more information and maps, call the Bureau of Reclamation at (209) 536-9094 or go to http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/. There is no fee to park or use this area. Dogs are permitted, but horses and mountain bikes are not allowed on this trail. From Highway 108 in Jamestown, turn north on Rawhide Road. After two miles turn left on Shell Road. Shell Road is paved until the last ¾ mile. The surface change happens at an unlocked gate. Close it after you have driven through. The parking lot is found beyond a second unlocked gate. If the road is in poor condition you can always park at the first gate and follow an extension of the trail that parallels the final stretch of the road.
Pacheco State Park: With 30 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding, Pacheco State Park is best in spring, but can also be nice in the fall. My recommendation is the 5-mile round trip hike to the outstanding views from the top of Spikes Peak. The total elevation gain is about 500 feet. The park is located on the south side of Highway 152 at the top of Pacheco Pass, about 15 1/2 miles west of I-5. For more information go to http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=560 or call (209) 826-1197. The day use fee is $10/vehicle. Horses and mountain bikes are allowed, but dogs are not.
Knights Ferry: In the sleepy hamlet of Knights Ferry, pedestrians can still cross the Stanislaus River on a historic covered bridge. The stone and brick walls of buildings from the 1850s and 1860s line the river and an easy pathway along the river provides beautiful views of the town and the canyon. The path is only a 3-mile round trip walk, but it packs in a lot of memorable vistas. The trail starts on the north side of town at the end of the main road along the river near the stone and brick shell of the old Tulloch Mill. For more information, call the Knights Ferry Information Center at 209-881-3517. Knight’s Ferry is located on the north side of Highway 108 between Oakdale and Jamestown. The drive takes about an hour from Merced. There is no charge for parking or access to the river, trail, and historic buildings. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but horses and mountain bikes are not.
Eastman and Hensley Lakes: Located in the foothills east of Chowchilla, the trails at these two lakes welcome hikers, mountain bikes, dogs, and equestrians. Although the lakes are at extremely low levels right now, these trails are still pleasant places to walk in the hills on fall days. Eastman Lake’s Lakeshore Trail runs 4 miles along the shore of the lake, but you don’t have to walk the whole route. Hensley Lake’s Buck Ridge Trails are a network of 8-9 miles of interconnected trails. The route is obvious and you are unlikely to get lost if you stick to the trails, but the junctions are not always well marked. Both lakes are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and can be found by exiting Highway 99 in Chowchilla at Robertson Boulevard and heading east towards the foothills. Signs will guide you to your destination. Both lakes are about 20 miles from the highway and travel time from Merced is just over an hour. The day use fee at each is $4 per vehicle. Horses, dogs, and mountain bikes are all allowed on the trails. For more information:
Hensley Lake: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=L268006 / (559) 673-5151
Eastman Lake: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=L268004 / (559) 689-3255
Williams Peak: This is the hardest to find of my five recommendations, and you are unlikely to see very many other hikers. The trail follows an old dirt road to the 3,205 foot summit of Williams Peak. The summit offers views all over Mariposa County and out to the Central Valley. There’s an abandoned and dangerous fire lookout tower on top of the peak – it’s not safe to climb, but you can enjoy the views from around its base. Williams Peak is on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. For more information, call the BLM’s Mother Lode Field Office at (916) 941-3101. To find the trailhead, take Bear Valley Road about 8 ½ miles from Hornitos. Turn left on Hunters Valley Mountain Road (not Hunters Valley Road, which you’ll see about two miles before the correct turn). The road is dirt and gravel, but passable by all vehicles unless there’s been a lot of bad weather recently. Drive a total of 2.2 miles from the turnoff and park when you see the road split with a metal gate on the left branch. The gate has a large metal “Williams Peak” sign, so there’s no chance you’ll miss it. Park nearby and follow the road beyond the gate for about 2 miles until you reach the summit. The elevation gain is about 750 feet. Drive time from Merced is about an hour.
No matter where you hike, watch out for poison oak. It is commonly found throughout the foothills surrounding our valley and its leaves may be green, red, orange, purple, or any mixture of in-between hues.
The stalks may also be bare of leaves and hard to identify.
For that reason, avoid touching plants unless you are sure that you know they are not poison oak.
The easiest way to identify poison oak is by its leaves, which grow in groups of three and are often waxy. They may be lobed (like many true oaks), but not always. The only other common plant with groups of three leaves is blackberry, which can usually be identified by thorns on its vines and hairs along the edges of the leaves.
Also watch for rattlesnakes and ticks. Although rattlesnakes are unlikely to be seen if the temperature is below 65 degrees, you should still be vigilant.
Check yourself for ticks after your hike.
Bonus #6 Local Camping:
Photo by adam blauert
Another way to take advantage of nice fall weather is to go on a camping trip. I’ve included this “bonus” sixth thing to do in the fall because the most reliable part of the fall for camping has already passed this year. If you watch the weather carefully, there will probably still be a couple of weekends when the weather is mild enough for a camping trip, but this is most likely a good fall event to plan for October 2016.
There are lots of places to camp locally and they are most enjoyable in the spring and fall. You can get from home to your campsite in less than an hour if you book a site at one of the following parks:
Lakes McClure and McSwain: http://www.lakemcclure.com/ / (855) 800-2267
Lake Don Pedro: http://www.donpedrolake.com/
New Melones: http://www.recreation.gov/ / (877) 444-6777
McConnell State Recreation Area: http://www.reserveramerica.com
Hensley Lake: http://www.recreation.gov/ / (877) 444-6777
Eastman Lake: http://www.recreation.gov/ / (877) 444-6777
San Luis Reservoir: http://www.reserveramerica.com
Briceburg Merced River Recreation Area: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/folsom/mercedriverrec.html / (916) 941-3101 (no reservations offered, and currently closed due to bridge repairs, the area will likely reopen in January 2016)
That said, fall camping requires taking weather into consideration. Check the forecast before you go and plan your trip for clear skies and moderate night temperatures.
No matter how comfortable the daytime temperatures will be, bring warm layers for nighttime. You’ll definitely want a campfire at night as well and folding chairs so you can easily warm yourself around it.
Although most areas allow campfires in the fall, dry season campfire restrictions may remain in place due to the drought, so make sure you call the campground in advance to make sure they are allowed.
To sleep comfortably, warm sleeping bags are a must and it is a good idea to have extra blankets. Inflatable air mattresses, while excellent for padding, are not so good for keeping warm.
An air mattress in direct contact with the ground will quickly absorb the temperature of the ground, so it is necessary to put a couple of insulating layers between the mattress and your sleeping bag (additional sleeping bags, foam pads, comforters, or blankets will work).
An air mattress with a cot frame that elevates the mattress off the ground is also helpful. Keep your plans flexible and turn your camping trip into a day trip if the weather forecast predicts cold nights.
All of the campgrounds listed above are located between the floor of the valley and the 1,500 foot elevation level, so weather is similar to Merced.
Beware of rattlesnakes, though they are less frequently seen if the temperature is below 65 degrees. Some campgrounds allow dogs.
McClure, Don Pedro, and New Melones are my personal favorites for lakeside camping (though all lakes have extremely low water levels due to the drought).
McConnell is the best place to camp along the lower part of the Merced River and Briceburg is a great spot along the upper river.
MJC’s Great Valley Museum and Planetarium
Photo by Adam Blauert
What’s the best new thing within an hour’s drive of home? It’s the recently reopened Great Valley Museum and the brand new William R. Luebke Planetarium at Modesto Junior College. An impressive state-of-the-art museum about local species and habitats, it is housed in the beautiful new Science Community Center at MJC. Planetarium shows are regularly scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays.
The original Great Valley Museum closed a couple of years ago in preparation for the move to the Community Science Center. It reopened in April 2015, reborn with extensive world-class displays of local wildlife and their habitats.
Although the majority of visitors are Modesto-area elementary students, the museum’s exhibits are designed to be interesting to all ages. My wife and I learned a lot during our recent visit.
Photo by Adam Blauert
The museum’s displays meticulously recreate local habitats with every major species represented. You see the animals up close. They can’t fly or run away, so it’s much easier to observe their features than in the wild. Informative signs provide the names and interesting facts about them. Although a few displays are still being completed, the majority are finished.
The attention to detail is spectacular. The more you look, the more you notice less-visible species hiding amidst the plant life – just the way it is in nature. This is a great place to learn about the species before you go out to observe them at one of our local wildlife refuges.
Photo by Adam Blauert
The largest displays depict local wetlands. The wetlands displays are surrounded by smaller displays of birds and mammals of all sizes including elk, pronghorn, mountain lion, raptors, fish, and extinct species such as grizzly bear, gray wolf, and jaguar.
There’s a nice collection of Native American artifacts and a display about giant fossil salmon and tortoises excavated at Turlock Lake by CSU Stanislaus. The museum also offers “Science on a Sphere.” A system of four projectors displays moving images on a large globe suspended from the ceiling.
During our visit it was being used to display satellite imagery of historical global weather patterns, including El Nino events from the past few decades. The museum has an extensive list of educational programs they can project on the sphere. It’s an outstanding teaching tool for understanding our how our planet functions.
Want to learn more about the elements of the periodic table? The museum has an interactive periodic table with short video clips about each. Nearby is a large wall-mounted periodic table with physical examples of almost every element.
The second major feature of the Community Science Center is the planetarium. The night sky can be projected on the 40-foot dome to teach students about the night sky and our universe. The regularly scheduled planetarium shows are one-hour scientific programs about features of our universe.
They are projected across the entire ceiling dome – producing a far more exciting effect than a flat movie theater screen. Each Friday-Saturday there are usually three programs to choose from – each aimed at a different age range. We saw Ultimate Universe during our recent visit.
Photo by Adam Blauert
It was a visually fascinating and up-to-date overview of the universe.
The staff and volunteers are friendly, welcoming, and informative. The price is reasonable: $3/ages 4-12, $5/ages 13-54, $4/age 55 and up, or $15 for a family of up to 6 members. Planetarium shows are $4/ages 4-12, $6/ages 13-54, and $5/age 55 and up, with discounts for MJC students and staff. Parking is $2 on weekdays, free on weekends.
Current hours are Tuesday-Thursday 12-4PM and Friday-Saturday 9AM-4PM.
For more information go to http://www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/gvm/ or call (209) 575-6196.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Group tours and school field trips can be arranged for all ages. In addition to regular exhibits, and a wide selection of planetarium and Science on a Sphere presentations, there’s a large Discovery Room for hands-on science activities.
It’s close enough to home for school and club field trips. The Nature Shop has a large selection of science-themed books and gifts, most of which focus on local wildlife and habitats.
We spent close to 3 hours at the museum and look forward to returning again soon. In addition to the indoor exhibits and the planetarium, there’s a large water fountain in front of the building with jets that spout water at various angles and heights in computer-programmed patterns.
We had as much fun watching it as a toddler who happened to be there at the same time. The programming makes the water seem playful, reminding us of the play we’ve seen demonstrated by animals such as dolphins and dogs.
Photo by Adam Blauert
The Science Community Center also houses a Foucault pendulum, a four-story DNA model, and large scale models of our universe’s planets. Sculptured mountain lions and tule elk guide the entrances.
Near the fountain, a two-ton granite sphere floats atop a water jet. Gradually spinning, you can change its direction with a surprisingly minimal amount of effort.
The outside of the planetarium is decorated with twelve large etchings on metal plates showing the stars that make up some of the best- known constellations. The stars are incorporated into images of the figures that the ancients associated with them.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Designed by MJC art professor Dr. Richard Serros, they depict the interaction of mythology, imagination, and early astronomy. The stars are represented by LED lights that are lit at night. You wouldn’t see them shine during a regular visit to the museum, but the museum hosts a “Science Night at the Museum” on the first Friday of every month during the fall and spring semesters (except January).
During these events, planetarium shows are offered, the museum’s exhibits are open, Science on a Sphere shows will be presented, and the MJC Astronomy Club offers free telescope viewings on the top level of the Science Community Center.
For more information about “Science Night,” call the museum at (209) 575-6196. If you go during the fall, winter, or spring, dress warmly so you can enjoy the telescope viewing and the museum’s outdoor exhibits.
Parking is free during these events.
The Great Valley Museum and Luebke Planetarium are part of the Community Science Center at Modesto Junior College’s West Campus, located at 2201 Blue Gum Avenue in Modesto. You can see it on the west side of Highway 99 as you drive through Modesto. To find it, exit Highway 99 at Carpenter Road/Briggsmore Avenue.
If you’re coming from Merced, turn left across the freeway on Carpenter Road. If you’re coming from the north, take the same exit, but turn right onto Carpenter. Either way, you’ll be on Carpenter for less than half a mile. From Carpenter, turn right on Blue Gum Avenue (right after you pass Collegiate Lane).
Photo by Adam Blauert
Turn right again in less than a half mile at the 4th Street stoplight. The parking lots are to the right and you should be able to spot the three-story museum building with its large planetarium dome to the left.
If you’re interested learning more about science, these additional locations are also highly recommended:
Wildlife Refuges – the ideal destination to follow a visit to the Great Valley Museum – especially exciting in the winter months when millions of migratory birds spend the winter in our valley. To combine a refuge visit with your trip to the Great Valley Museum, the closest refuge location is the viewing platform on Beckwith Road, about eight miles west of Modesto. For directions and more information, go to: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=81654. More extensive viewing opportunities are located at the Merced National Wildlife Refuge (birds) on Sandy Mush Road and the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge (birds and tule elk) on Wolfsen Road, north of Los Banos. For more information about these refuges, go to Merced County Events page about wildlife refuges.
Madera Fossil Discovery Center – a great place to learn about extinct creatures that lived in our Valley 800,000 years ago. For more information go to Fossil Discovery Center.
Applegate Zoo – the place to see local wildlife up close – including mountain lion, bear, bobcat, fox, and deer. There’s also a petting zoo and gift shop. For more information go to Merced County Events about Applegate Zoo.
Forestiere Underground Gardens
Underground gardens
Our valley’s summer heat is intense and unrelenting. By the time that cool fall days finally arrive, they are welcome and refreshing.
With this year’s heat already here, it’s time to start thinking about ways to beat the heat. We’ve got a lot of choices in the air conditioning age – many more than our ancestors did.
One of the best options to have survived the test of time is Fresno’s Underground Gardens. From 1906 to 1946, Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere carved a unique underground home beneath 10 acres of hardpan in northwest Fresno.
Forestiere’s subterranean habitation is one of the most intriguing and innovative structures in the state.
Photo by adam blauert
Italy
Although inspired by the ancient catacombs of Italy, Forestiere created something entirely new – an underground world full of life. He built large courtyards lit by skylights – windows to the aboveground world that also made it possible to grow a wide variety of trees and vines.
Rooms were constructed at three different levels with temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees cooler than on the surface.
Baldassare was so pleased with his work that he kept building, eventually intending to open an underground resort. Remarkably, he did it all in his spare time with hand tools, a scraper, and two mules. Although his death in 1946 prevented the resort from becoming a reality, much of his remarkable underground world can be enjoyed by visitors today.
Located on Shaw Avenue, just east of Highway 99 in Fresno, the Underground Gardens are an easy trip from Merced County. Tours are offered March through November.
The tour schedule is as follows
March: Saturday and Sunday – tours at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3
April and May: Wednesday through Friday – tours at 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3; Saturday and Sunday – tours at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Wednesday through Friday - tours at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day
September and October: Wednesday through Friday – tours at 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3; Saturday and Sunday – tours at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3
November: Saturday and Sunday – tours at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3; Friday through Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend tours are offered at the same time to conclude the season.
Special sunset tours will be offered this May by reservation only.
Tours are about an hour long and wheelchairs up to 26 inches in width may be accommodated. Tours operate as long as it isn’t raining and the ground has had long enough to dry from any recent rainfall.
Photo by adam blauert
On a cool day, you may want a sweater or lightweight jacket. On an extremely hot day you may find that some of the rooms are warm, even if they are 10-30 degrees cooler than the outside temperatures.
Feel free to carry a bottle of water during your tour. You can also bring a camera and take photos for personal use, though rights to the photos remain with the Underground Gardens.
For more information
Website http://www.undergroundgardens.com/
Tickets
Adults: $15
5-17: $7
4 and under: free
Seniors 60 and older: $13
College students and active duty military: $12
The Forestiere Underground Gardens are one of the most unique, yet under appreciated architectural wonders of California. Forestiere was a self-taught genius who combined determination, hard work, innovative architecture and engineering, horticultural skill, and creative design with a spiritual symbolism that reflected his deep Catholic faith.
He was lucky to live in an age where red tape and complicated regulations had not yet made it nearly impossible for a determined and gifted person to experiment with innovative structures in his spare time. Yet many of the principles that he used in his underground world are being rediscovered as energy efficient and cost effective ways of keeping cool.
To find the Underground Gardens, exit Shaw Avenue and head east. Start looking for the sign immediately because the Gardens are only four blocks from the freeway on the south side of Shaw. You’ll have to find parking on the street which may require walking a bit on a busy day. From Shaw Avenue the Forestiere site doesn’t look like much. That’s okay, because what you’ve come to see is below the street level.
Creativity on display
No matter what you expect, the reality will probably still surprise you. In the midst of a city of lookalike tract homes and interminable shopping centers, the Forestiere Underground Gardens are a breath of fresh air. Not only are they visually interesting and a source of inspiration for creatively-minded visitors, the story of their construction is an inspiring tale of the results of hard work.
If Baldassare Forestiere could build a beautiful underground world with determination, two hands, two mules, a scraper, and 40 years, what can you do with all of the resources you have access to?
© Copyright 2013 Adam Blauert
San Luis Reservoir Area
O’Neill Forebay, Los Banos Creek Reservoir-Part of both the California Aqueduct and the Central Valley irrigation projects.
San Luis Reservoir
San Luis State Recreation Area
San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, Los Banos Creek Reservoir: The San Luis San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, Los Banos Creek Reservoir-Part of both the California Aqueduct and the Central Valley irrigation projects.
Three Units
State Recreation Area is made up of three units. San Luis Reservoir is the largest and is used primarily for fishing. Part of both the California Aqueduct and the Central Valley irrigation projects, it is the largest off-stream reservoir in the United States.
At full capacity, it measures nine by five miles at its widest points.
O'Neill Forebay
O'Neill Forebay
The O’Neill Forebay, a smaller lake below the San Luis Dam, is open to all kinds of recreation and offers the best fishing in the area.
Although this area can be windy, the O’Neill Forebay is more sheltered than the San Luis Reservoir. O’Neill Forebay is considered to be one of California’s premier fishing areas.
The State record striped bass was caught in O’Neill Forebay in 2008. It measured 52.5 inches and weighed 70.6 lbs.
Los Banos Creek Reservoir
Located a few miles to the south, receives much less visitation. It is best-known for springtime ranger-led hikes along the creek in the spring.
With a 5mph speed limit, Los Banos Creek Reservoir is Los Banos Creek primarily enjoyed by anglers.
A shoreline trail is provided for fishing access.
Los Banos Creek
Location
San Luis Reservoir and the O’Neill Forebay are located on Highway 152, a few miles west of I-5. Additional access is available from State Highway 33.
Los Banos Creek Reservoir is located on Canyon Road, southwest of Los Banos and I-5.
Distance from Merced
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay: 48 miles
Los Banos Creek Reservoir: 42 miles
Distance from Los Banos:
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay: 12 miles
Los Banos Creek Reservoir: 6 miles
Operating authority: California State Parks
Surface area of lake: San Luis Reservoir 12,700 acres
O’Neill Forebay 2,250 acres
Los Banos Creek Reservoir 623 acres
Facilities and activities
Boat ramp
Chemical/flush restrooms
Drinking fountains
Visitor center
Campgrounds/group campgrounds with BBQ grills/fire rings, shelters, hot showers
Picnic areas with tables, shelters, and BBQ grills
Group picnic areas and shelters
Swimming beach/area with showers
Dump station
Hiking trails (additional trails available in the adjacent Pacheco State Park)
Wildlife viewing areas
OHV recreation area (south side of Highway 152 at Jasper-Sears Road. Novice-level trails for both green and red sticker vehicles are provided)
Dogs allowed? Yes
Horses allowed? Yes, and many equestrian trails are available at the adjacent Pacheco State Park.
Hunting allowed? Yes
Fish species:
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay: bass, bluegill, crappie, perch, shad
Los Banos Creek Reservoir: bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. Trout are stocked in the early spring, but don’t last through the summer because of water temperatures.
Boat rentals: No
For More information and special events
Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=558
O’Neill Forebay hosts a Kids Fishing Day in the spring. The popular Path of the Padres is a Ranger-led hike along Los Banos Creek that is offered from February through April.
Hikers enjoy a creekside walk through wildflowers and learn about the history, wildlife, and plant species of the area.
Nearby parks
Pacheco State Park is adjacent to San Luis Recreation Area and offers hiking and equestrian trails. Ranger-led wildflower hikes are offered in the spring.
The California Aqueduct Bikeway begins at San Luis Creek and goes 70 miles north to the Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area with rest stops ten miles apart and chemical toilets
San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, Los Banos Creek Reservoir-Part of both the California Aqueduct and the Central Valley irrigation projects.
Tuolumne County Museum
Located in the Jail
The Tuolumne County Historical society operates one of the best museums in the southern Mother Lode region. Located in the old Tuolumne County Jail, the museum’s exhibits are spread throughout the thickly-walled brick cells and the former living quarters of the jailer’s family. Constructed in 1857 and rebuilt in 1866 after a prisoner set it on fire, the jail was used continuously until 1961.
Visitors today not only get a great museum experience, but also get to tour a historic jail. If you visit on a cold day, note that the glass in the windows of the cells is not original – when prisoners were housed in the building they had to live with the outside conditions – a far cry from incarcerations today!
Old Jail Cell Window
Excellent collection of history
The museum’s excellent collection of old photos and artifacts brings the past to life – mining, logging, railroads, ranching, and rural life. The exhibits are interpreted by clearly-written signs. Located in Sonora, the county seat of Tuolumne County, the museum displays not only Sonora’s history, but also that of other communities from the Tuolumne foothills to the top of the Sierra Nevada.
A detailed map located near the museum’s entrance identifies all of the current and former settlements in Tuolumne County.
Museum Exhibits
Historic guns
The historic gun collection is one of the best I’ve seen. Part of the display is a selection of ammunition in just about every caliber and gauge. If you’ve ever wondered how all the sizes compare, this is the place to find out.
For those interested in the history of the High Sierra, an exhibit focuses on the history of nearby Sonora Pass (today’s Highway 108) and the pioneers who developed it as a trans-Sierra crossing.
The museum is located at 158 West Bradford Avenue, two blocks from the city center. Directional signs on Highway 49 make it easy to find.
The hours are 10-4 Monday through Friday and 10-3:30 on Saturdays. Helpful volunteers are available to answer questions and show visitors around.
Museum Exterior 1
Enjoyable reading
The TCHS has published a number of excellent books of local history. On my recent visit I picked up copies of Sonora Pass Pioneers and When Steam Was King, both of which increased my knowledge about the development of Sonora Pass and railroads in the Sierra foothills. They’ve also given me many hours of enjoyable reading. Special events including frequent presentations by local historians and an annual Lamplight Dinner fundraiser are also offered.
In addition to the exhibits, an extensive research library is available for family historians and anyone interested in digging more deeply into the county’s history. The research library is open on Tuesdays from 9AM to noon. A donation is requested to help cover the cost of maintaining the collection and the facility.
Just over an hour’s drive from most locations in Merced County, the museum is an easy day trip and can be combined with a visit to Sonora’s downtown, the Moccasin Hatchery, Jamestown, Columbia State Historic Park, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, or any of the caverns in nearby Calaveras County.
For more information about the museum or the research library,
please to: http://tchistory.org/index.html or call (209) 532-1317.
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.
Starting in the high country of Yosemite National Park, the river flows westward for 145 miles before joining the San Joaquin near the town of Newman. The following is a list of access points in Merced County starting at the western end of the river and working east towards Mariposa County.
Safety:
Fishing is generally a safe river recreation as long as you do not wade out into the river.Swimming, boating, and floating the river on rafts or tubes are more hazardous activities.They are not recommended except in designated swimming sites such as the Hatfield and McConnell State Recreation Areas.Do not venture out into the river unless you are a strong swimmer, you wear a life jacket, you are sober, and you have a first aid kit and plenty of emergency supplies.
If you’ve never floated a river before, find someone experienced to go with.
The river has several rapids and places where rafters and boaters may be swept into trees and vines.There are also places where the river splits into multiple channels and it can be difficult to choose the safest route.High water flow, especially in the spring and after storms, may make the river extremely dangerous.Mid to late summer is usually the safest time to go, but this is not always the case.
Rivers have dangerous underwater hazards that can snare and drown swimmers and boaters.Every year California’s rivers claim lives!Think carefully before getting in the river and observe any posted safety warnings.
Some of the best online information about floating the river can be found at:https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/5042/.
Access Points:
George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area: Located near the river’s confluence with the San Joaquin, this state park offers the last access point to the river.Camping, picnicking, fishing, wading, and swimming are all permitted.Located at 4394 North Kelly Road which is technically in the town of Hilmar, the closest population center and supplies is actually Newman.
Photo by Adam Blauert
For more information go to http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=556.
A brochure that covers both Hatfield and McConnell State Recreation Areas can be downloaded at:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/554/files/McConnellHatfield.pdf
You can also call the park office at (209) 826-1197 for more information.
Hagaman Park/Highway 165:
The signs posted by Merced County at Hagaman Park tell visitors that they should stay out of the river, but the brochure produced by California State Parks to provide information about its two parks along the river (Hatfield and McConnell) lists it as one of the places you can take your raft or canoe out of the river if you are floating it.
The result is confusion.I don’t recommend Hagaman Park as a place to access the river, but if you are interested in doing so, contact Merced County Parks and Recreation first: (209) 385-7426.
Photo by Adam Blauert
You can also find park information at http://www.co.merced.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=1410.
Hagaman Park is located at the intersection of Highway 165 (Lander Avenue) and River Road.Highway 165 crosses the river and all potential access points near the highway are marked “No Trespassing.”
McConnell State Recreation Area:
This state park offers camping, picnicking, and some of the best access for fishing, wading, and swimming on the lower river.Located off El Capitan Way at the end of McConnell Road, the closest population centers and supplies are Delhi and Livingston.
For more information, go to http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=554.
A brochure that covers both McConnell and Hatfield State Recreation Areas can be downloaded at:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/554/files/McConnellHatfield.pdf
You can also call the park office at (209) 394-7755 for more information.
Bridges:
Highway 99 Bridge:All potential access points along the highway are marked “No Trespassing.”
Santa Fe Avenue Bridge: Like Highway 99, all potential access points along the highway are marked “No Trespassing.”
Oakdale Road Bridge:There’s plenty of parking near the bridge and you can walk across the original 1912 bridge (now only open to foot and bike traffic), but the potential river access points are signed “No Trespassing.”It’s clear that some people do access the river here, but you’re liable to citation for trespassing if you do.
Highway 59 Bridge: Although official signs at this location delineate the fishing regulations for this part of the river, the landowner has informed me that any access at this point will be considered trespassing. Don’t access the river at this location."
Snelling Road Bridge:Like the Highway 59 Bridge, land on both sides is private, but access has been allowed from the corridor along the highway.If you access the river here, be aware of all posted signs which may limit access in the future.The bridge is located on Snelling Road, 0.7 miles south of the junction with Highway 59.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Snelling:
I’ve talked to a lot of people who have fished the river at the end of 3rd Street in Snelling, but there are currently “No Trespassing” signs posted.If you visit, check the signs before you access the river.
This area is accessed by turning south on 3rd Street (near the Chevron gas station) and following the road for a short distance.It becomes a rough dirt road near the river.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Henderson Park:
This county park is located 1 mile east of downtown Snelling on Merced Falls Road.It offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and plenty of river access.Signs warn visitors about the dangers of river access, but do not prohibit it.
Photo by Adam Blauert
For more information go to http://www.co.merced.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=1454
or call (209) 385-7426. This is one of the most picturesque spots on the lower river. A $3/car entry fee is charged on weekends and holidays.
Other access points
First access point east of Snelling: Set your odometer to zero at the intersection of 3rd Street and Highway 59 in Snelling. Highway 59 becomes Merced Falls Road at the junction with County Highway J59. The second access point to the river is 1.6 miles beyond 3rd Street and Highway 59. After you pass the J59 junction and Henderson Park, look for the first yellow sign indicating a left curve. There is a small parking area and a sign indicating fishing regulations on the right side of the road.
MID Cuneo Access:Located at mile 2.5, you will see a sign, a fenced gravel parking lot, and a restroom. The river is a short walk from the parking area along a trail.This access point may be closed seasonally, even when fishing is allowed.
Access between Cuneo and Crocker Huffman:At mile 3.3 begins a series of parking areas along the bank of the river to mile 3.6. The first one is located by an electrical pole and mailboxes for 5706 and 5996 Merced Falls Road. The parking areas end across from a sign indicating the entrance to 5996 on the left side of the road.These areas have been “No Stopping Any Time,” since Summer 2014 due to litter and traffic problems.According to Merced County, you can stop briefly to drop off fishing gear or rafts, but then must move your vehicle beyond the signs.
MID is currently constructing a new parking and access area that should be opening just east of this access point.The estimated opening date is sometime later in 2015.
MID Crocker-Huffman Fishing Access:After a 40 mph curve, you’ll see a fenced gravel parking lot and a sign indicating MID ownership at mile 4.1. If you pass A-1 Bait and Tackle, you’ve driven too far. A hike of about ¼ mile from the parking area will take you to the dam. Note that fishing regulations are different for the area above the dam and the area below. Consult the DFG’s fishing regulations to make sure that you are in compliance.This access point may be closed seasonally, even when fishing is allowed.
Photo by Adam Blauert
PG&E River’s Edge Fishing Access:This access point is 6.2 miles beyond Snelling, next to the PG&E hydroelectric plant. This access point allows you to fish above the spillway of the Merced Falls Dam. Note that swimming, float tubes, and boats are not allowed because of the proximity to the dam.
Hornitos Road Bridge Area:After Merced Falls Road turns sharply north, make a right turn on Hornitos Road. Turn again when the road splits for Lakes McSwain and McClure (left) and Hornitos Road (right). There are a number of places to park near the bridge. This area is 6.4 miles from 3rd and Highway 59 in Snelling. This is a popular place to fish from the shore or to launch float tubes or canoes.
Photo by Adam Blauert
PG&E Lake McClure Road Access:7.2 miles east of Snelling on Lake McClure Road, a right hand turn just before you reach the entrance gate to Lake McSwain and Lake McClure Recreation Area leads to another PG&E access point directly below the Lake McSwain Dam.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Mariposa County Access:
Beyond the McClure Road access point, the river is a part of Lakes McSwain and McClure. It becomes a free-flowing river again at the eastern end of Lake McClure where it is crossed by the Highway 49 Bridge.There is no road along the next 8.4 miles of the river.A very rough trail follows it (washed out on the Highway 49 side) but you can follow it cross-country on the northern side of the river until it becomes a true trail again.The eastern side of the trail is accessed from the end of the Briceburg Road.
There is no bridge across the confluence of the North Fork of the Merced, which can only be waded safely in low water conditions.The Briceburg Road follows the next 5 miles of the river beyond the trail up to where it joins Highway 140.From that point onwards, Highway 140 parallels the river closely into Yosemite National Park.
There are many views of the river from the road and many places to fish.Floating the river above Lake McClure is not recommended as there are many dangerous class III-IV rapids and a small waterfall near the confluence of the North Fork.
Rafting services
Several whitewater rafting companies offer guided trips to this area:
ARTA:Merced/Tuolumne - http://www.arta.org// (209) 962-7873
All-Outdoors California Whitewater:Merced/Tuolumne/Stanislaus/Cherry Creek - http://www.aorafting.com// (800) 247-2387
O.A.R.S.:Merced/Stanislaus/Tuolumne - http://www.oars.com/california/ (800) 346-6277
Whitewater Voyages:Merced/Tuolumne - http://www.whitewatervoyages.com/(800) 400-7238
Zephyr Whitewater:Merced/Tuolumne - http://www.zrafting.com/
From the end of the road in Yosemite, trails follow the river past Vernal and Nevada Falls to its sources in the wilderness of the park.
Avoiding Trespassing:The safest spots for legal river access in Merced County are Hatfield, McConnell, Henderson, and the access points maintained by MID and PG&E. The others are privately owned, but have not been posted or fenced in the past (this is always subject to change). This seems to indicate that the landowner is allowing access, however you may risk trespassing if you access the river at these points.
Taking Care of the River: Unfortunately, several of these access points have been trashed by previous users. Despite the work of volunteers to clean up the garbage, the problem continues. If the situation doesn’t improve, more access points may close or be posted “No Trespassing.”
Make sure you pack out your garbage and do anything you can to help keep these areas clean.
Photo by Adam Blauert
Fishing Regulations:Make sure you check fishing regulations for the area in which you plan to fish:http://www.dfg.ca.gov/. They change at the Crocker Huffman Dam.Although they are usually posted at the areas between the dam and the Highway 59 Bridge, conditions are always subject to change and may not be posted.
Other fishing and boating resources:
Fishing and Boating Resources at http://www.takemefishing.org/
Department of Fish and Wildlife Regulations: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/
Department of Boating and Waterways Regulations: http://www.dbw.ca.gov/
Reservations for State, Federal, and Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds: http://www.reserveamerica.com
The goal of this page is to provide useful and accurate information about river access. If you find something that is inaccurate or discover that conditions have changed, please inform the author atadamblauert@yahoo.com
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. It offers 32 acres of recreation with a zoo, outdoor theater, picnic tables, bbq grills, volleyball nets, tennis/basketball courts, a skate park, rental facilities, a large playground, a rose garden and fountain, and the Kiwanas-sponsored Kiddieland amusement park.
train
Plenty of parking is located around the park. Many community events are held at Applegate, including concerts and plays in the summer.
fountain
Location
Applegate Park is located along Bear Creek and the Bear Creek bikeway, between M and R Streets. The southern edge of the park follows 25th Street, P Street, and 26th Street.
Parking is available along the southern edge, N Street, and a parking lot on R Street near the Zoo.
applegate
Applegate Park Zoo
Merced Open Air Theater
Sports Facilities (Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball)
Skatepark
Playground
Fitness Equipment
Rental Facilities
playground
zoo 1
Applegate Park Zoo
The zoo specializes in local wildlife and activities for children, showcasing species native to the Central Valley and the foothills. From commonly-seen birds such as egrets and hawks to the elusive mountain lion, the zoo offers a cross-section of native wildlife.
Most of the animals have been relocated from wildlife rescue agencies.
Although owned by the City of Merced, the zoo is operated by the nonprofit Merced Zoological Society.
zoo 2
Friendly, trained volunteers are available to answer questions. This is a great place to get a close-up view of local species before heading out to a nearby wildlife refuge.
zoo 3
Hours and Admission
The zoo is open from 10-5 daily in the spring and summer and from 10-4 in the fall and winter, weather permitting. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
For the latest Zoo hours and cost for admission, click here
Location
The zoo is located on R Street between Bear Creek and 25th Street. A parking lot is located on the corner of R and 25th.
goats
Activities
Petting Zoo and Goat Feeding: Friendly (and hungry) goats can be fed with goat food for sale at the zoo’s gift shop until the day’s supply runs out. Visitors who wish to feed the goats are advised to visit before 2PM.
The zoo also offers a small petting area where kids can play with chickens, rabbits, ducks, kittens, turtles and guinea pigs.
Field Trips: The Merced Zoological Society can arrange guided visits to the zoo for school groups.
Zoo Camp and Special Events: The zoo holds two one-week zoo camps for children aged 6 to 9 and a “Trick or Treat in the Zoo” on Halloween.
bobcats
Sometimes it is the "small animals" that are fun for the little ones!
This is a safe and fun option for families with small children. A storytime for kids aged 3-5 is offered every Saturday from 11-12. A number of other special events happen throughout the year.
savana
Birthday Parties
The zoo can be rented for birthday parties. Facilities include the Rossotti Ed-Zoo-Cation Center building with tables, chairs, refrigerator, freezer, and silverware. Table coverings, napkins, plates, cups, and invitations in an animal theme design are provided.
racoon
Zoo Parent Adoption Program
Groups can participate in the Zoo Parent Adoption Program which allows them to help feed and care for the zoo’s animals.
Gift Shop
The Zoological Society operates a gift shop that specializes in educational toys, books, and gifts. All proceeds help support the zoo’s operations.
buck
Species
Mammals: black bear, mule deer, bobcat, raccoon, red fox, silver fox, opossum, goat, capuchin monkey
fox
screach owl
Birds: albino scrub jay, black crowned night heron, black swan, burrowing owl, cattle egret, emu, great egret, great snowy egret, green heron, great horned owl, harrier hawk,
owl
deer
ibis, kestrel, killdeer, magpie, northern flicker, peacock, raven, red tailed hawk, snowy egret, screech owl, Swainsons hawk, wild turkey, whistling (tundra) swan, wimberl, white faced ibis
Reptiles: tortoise, turtle
City of Merced- Applegate Zoo info (click here)
or contact the Merced Zoological Society at Mercedzoological@sbcglobal.net /
(209) 725-DEER (725-3337)
Kiddieland: Merced Kiwanis
Oporates the local Kiddieland amusement park since 1957. With six rides including a train that loops around Applegate Park, Kiddieland is a great place to take children on weekend afternoons.
Friendly Kiwanis volunteers operate the rides on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5PM starting in March of each year.
Kiddieland 1
The amusement park remains open through October. Snacks are available at a refreshment booth. Kiddieland can be also be rented for private parties.
For more information about Kiddieland, click here
Location: Near the intersection of 25th and Q Streets.
Kiddieland 2
Additional information: Check out the Kiwanis webpage at http://greatermercedkiwanis.org/kiddieland Kiwanis is a worldwide volunteer organization whose motto is “serving the children of the world.”
Merced Open Air Theater
The most popular outdoor entertainment venue in Merced County, the Open Air Theater is the site of free concerts and plays throughout the summer. The theater can be rented for private events. Visit the City of Merced’s webpage for rental information: City of Merced Rental information.
Open Air Theater
Merced Shakespearefest stages Shakespeare plays at the Open Air Theater every summer. For more information go to: http://www.mercedshakespearefest.org/index.htm
Location: The theater is located in the middle of the park along the bikeway.
Sports Facilities
Volleyball nets are located in the eastern half of the park, between M and O Streets.
Tennis and basketball courts are located in the center of the park, near Kiddieland.
Skatepark: The skatepark is located in the center of the park, near O and 26th Streets.
Skatepark
Bikeway: Applegate Park is located along the Bear Creek Bikeway, which runs from McKee Road to Highway 59.
This route connects with other bikeways and bike lanes in Merced.
For a map, go to http://www.cityofmerced.org/documents/bikepathmap.pdf
Also check out our page titled Bike Paths in Merced County for additional bike routes throughout the county.
Playground: A large playground is located in the center of the park along 25th street between Q and P Streets. The playground includes swings, a large climbing structure with slides, and benches.
Rental Facilities: The Rossotti Ed-Zoo-Cation Center, Merced Open Air Theater, Scout Hut, Picnic Shelters, Gazebo and Rose Garden can all be rented for group events.
Visit the City of Merced’s webpage for rental costs and forms: City of Merced Rental information.
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? Well, the museum has many things – including one of the best collections of history in the Central Valley – but the one thing it doesn’t have is air conditioning. In fact, it’s often closed in the summer because of the heat.
Photo By Adam Blauert
Don’t let that be a deterrent
I was blown away by the museum’s extensive collection and the successful way in which it brings to life the history of our valley. It’s a “new favorite” on my list of local places.
Although not air conditioned, it is heated, so you can visit in comfort throughout the cooler months. If you plan to visit around the holidays, call and make sure the museum will be open. The museum holds special events throughout the year and is specially decorated for Christmas.
Like the Merced County Historical Society Museum, it is located in county’s old courthouse. You can find it at 210 W. Yosemite Avenue – only about 30 miles south of Merced.
The main floor is divided up into rooms based on important themes in Madera County history. Although there are some differences between its history and Merced County’s history, there are also many similarities.
The major exhibits include Native Americans, pioneers, agriculture and ranching, logging, early photography, a reproduction of a turn-of-the-century general store, and the involvement of Madera County citizens in America’s wars.
Every possible display space has been used to showcase a truly amazing collection of artifacts – including many things I haven’t seen in any other museum.
Some of my favorites include a full-size reproduction of a logging flume, an excellent collection of Native American basketry, an altar cloth from the temple in Madera’s Chinatown, and an example of a “duster” worn by stagecoach passengers to protect clothing from dusty roads.
Photo By Adam Blauert
Several rooms on the second floor recreate a turn-of-the-century home. The original courtroom remains much as it was when the building was constructed. One of the largest rooms contains representations of Madera storefronts and window displays of the past century.
A restored stagecoach
Once used on the road from Madera County to Yosemite National Park, is one of the highlights.
By the time we’d seen the second floor, I was already more than impressed and ready to write a glowing review about it on this website.
Then we headed down to the basement. The sign at the top had led me to expect a room or two of tools and machinery.
Photo By Adam Blauert
Instead I found that the entire basement was also crammed with exhibits including a meticulously recreated blacksmith shop, a miner’s cabin and mining relics, a display about the granite quarry at Knowles, and an extensive collection of antique household and office technology.
Photo By Adam Blauert
Throughout the museum history is brought to life by a well-chosen collection of historic photos. Allow at least an hour and a half… better yet, plan for two hours or more. We stayed until closing time and could have stayed longer.
Hours
The museum is only open from 1 to 4PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information you can call (559) 673-0291.
Adam Blauert, a high school teacher and avid outdoors enthusiast, has dedicated the majority of his life to Merced County. His passions include fishing, backpacking, delving into local history, and exploring the wonders of the western states.