If You Happen to Drop By Merced…
The temperature soared during the past week with triple digit heat in the San Joaquin Valley, and farmers in Merced, Calif. took extra precautions to assure their cattle didn’t die of extreme heat. Cooling centers were opened for local residents and tourists zipping by hardly wanted to get out of their cars to endure the searing temps. The good news is that these photos were taken from inside a car without breaking a sweat! And there’s a cooling trend.
Millions of travelers pass by Merced on Highway 99 between Fresno and Stockton, and lots of them stop. There are convenient gas stations on this Gateway to Yosemite National Park, but if you take 15-30 minutes to drive around the city you’ll be amazed to see a different set of scenery from the industrial looking roadway. Who would ever know that the city has so much great architecture? Shown in the photos are a church, the renovated Merced Theatre and the historic Merced Courthouse Museum.
Things to See in Merced – Stop by California Welcome Center to find the “hot” spots
- Applegate Park & Zoo – ride the train around the 23 acre park on weekends, June – September
- Merced Agriculture Museum – local vintage tractors and a working blacksmith shop
- Merced Courthouse Museum – designed in 1875 by State Capital Architect, Albert A. Bennett
- Merced Theatre – movies, comedy acts and concerts are showcased in restored 1931 venue, mercedtheatre.org
- Merced County Fairgrounds – includes annual fair, speedway with car racing, and more!
The California Welcome Center Merced, visitcwc.com/merced
710 W 16th St Ste A, Merced, CA 95340-4626
Phone: (209) 724-8104
