Merced is conveniently located in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, within a short two-hour drive from the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento, and from the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean and Yosemite National Park. Merced enjoys a low cost-of-living and an excellent quality of life. The average commute time is only 15 minutes!

Merced is currently home to 65,000 people, and it retains the charm of a small town. The pedestrian-friendly downtown area boasts brick-paved walking areas, alleys decorated with murals and Italian trellises, a multicultural arts center, a live playhouse, and several historically significant buildings.

Some of Merced's many local activities are listed below, and a number of potential day trips are also possible.

Arts and Culture
Museums
Transportation

Related Links
MercedNet
Valley Life

K-12 Schools and Agencies
Merced County Office of Education
Listing of Merced County school districts
Virginia Smith Scholarships
Merced Union High School District

Community Web sites
Merced Sun-Star
Great Valley Center
Merced County Economic Development Corporation
Merced Conference and Visitors Bureau
Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce
Merced County Association of Realtors
Merced County Courthouse Museum
Merced County Farm Bureau
Merced County Arts Council