Merced County, Administrative division in San Joaquin Valley, California, United States.
Description
Merced County is an administrative division in the San Joaquin Valley in California, spanning flat to hilly terrain. The area is crossed by Interstate 5 and several state routes, and it contains multiple towns and communities.
History
The area became a separate county in 1855 when it was formed from parts of Mariposa County. Its name comes from the Merced River, which explorer Gabriel Moraga discovered during an expedition in 1806.
Culture
The University of California Merced shapes academic life in the region through research and teaching. Students and researchers contribute daily to the local knowledge culture and influence how the area sees itself.
Practical
The area is best explored by car, as Interstate 5 and state routes form the main connections. Visitors should know that the region is spread out, so distances between destinations can be large.
Did you know?
The area is home to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge and the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, which serve as important sanctuaries for wildlife. These protected spaces give visitors the chance to see natural habitats up close.
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San Luis Reservoir
35.6 km
Castle Air Museum
22.9 km
Pacheco Pass
47.2 km
San Luis Dam
35.5 km
Delta–Mendota Canal
31.3 km
Pacheco State Park
46.3 km
Turlock Lake State Recreation Area
50 km
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
12 km
Merced National Wildlife Refuge
9 kmGreat Valley Grasslands State Park
18.9 km
Randall Fawcett House
27.1 kmSan Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge
65.3 km
O'Neill Forebay
31.8 kmKesterson Reservoir
17.8 kmMcConnell State Recreation Area
25.1 km
New Exchequer Dam
58.9 kmKesterson National Wildlife Refuge
17.9 kmGeorge J. Hatfield State Recreation Area
29 kmSan Joaquin Valley National Cemetery
27.8 km
Tioga Hotel
23.5 km
O'Neill Dam
32.3 km
Gold Dredge
53.5 kmThe Mainzer
23.5 kmLion Bridge
54.7 km
Bloss Mansion
19.8 kmTuolumne City
59.3 kmTuolumne River Regional Park
54.9 km
Church of St. Joseph
19.1 km
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