56 Passenger Charter Bus
hanfordcharterbuscompany.com is a comparison and referral website, not a local company. We do NOT own or operate vehicles. Use our online quote form to view pricing and vehicle choices from independent transportation providers through a national booking platform. Read more: terms and referral details
Charter Bus Rentals in Merced
You came here because getting a group somewhere in Merced shouldn't mean calling five different companies and waiting on callbacks. Fill out one quick form and compare charter buses, minibuses, and party buses from a large network of transportation companies serving Merced, California — with pricing right online, in seconds. No account needed, and a free quote is always available by phone at 559-491-9050!
Book Charter Bus Rentals in Merced in Under a Minute
Coordinating group transportation in Merced is so much easier when all your options are in one place. Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com is an advertising and quote comparison website — not a local bus company. That means you fill out one quick form and instantly compare vehicles, amenities, and prices from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Merced and the surrounding San Joaquin Valley, all without creating an account.
Request the amenities you want — WiFi, reclining seats, a built-in bar, power outlets — and see what's available for your date. Compare pictures and prices side by side in seconds. Buses are available statewide for local trips around Merced and long-distance runs to San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, and beyond.
Whether you need a compact sprinter van for a small group or a 56-passenger motorcoach for a major event at UC Merced, the options are right here. Call 559-491-9050 or use the online quote tool to get started right now!
Merced Charter Bus Rental Options
Keep your whole group together — whatever the size — with the right vehicle for your trip! Through this website, you can find and compare minibuses, party buses, full-size charter buses, sprinter vans, and school buses from a network of transportation companies serving Merced. Whether you need 15 seats or 56, there's a bus in the network ready for your date!
35 Passenger Minibus
30 Passenger Minibus
28 Passenger Minibus
25 Passenger Minibus
20 Passenger Minibus
18 Passenger Minibus
15 Passenger Minibus
15-50 Passenger Party Buses
Sprinter Van with Driver
Sprinter Limo
School Bus
Vehicles shown above are NOT the exact makes and models available for every trip. We are NOT a transportation company and do not own or operate vehicles. Photos are examples only and may show stock or typical vehicles, not the exact vehicle offered for your reservation. Fill out the online quote form or call 559-491-9050 to view current vehicle options, photos, availability, and pricing. Confirm the exact vehicle details and amenities before booking.
Merced Charter Bus Rentals With the Amenities You Need
Reclining Seats
Onboard Restroom
Individual Climate Control
Onboard Wi-Fi
Power Outlets
Overhead Storage
Under-Bus Luggage Storage
TV Monitors
PA System
Amenities listed above are common features that MAY be available on buses. Because we are a referral website and do NOT own or operate buses, exact features vary by vehicle, provider, and availability. After you submit your quote request, you can browse vehicle options, pricing, and available details on the results page. To confirm the exact amenities included with a specific vehicle offered for your trip, call 559-491-9050 before booking.
Get Bus Quotes So Much Easier!
Merced Charter Bus Pricing
Booking a bus in Merced doesn't have to mean waiting around for someone to call you back with a price. Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com gives you online pricing in under 30 seconds — just enter your pickup location, date, group size, and trip details, and you'll land on a results page showing available vehicles and rates from a network of transportation companies serving Merced, California. No account required, and no obligation to book on the spot.
Pricing varies based on the bus type, the distance, the day of the week, and the time of year. UC Merced commencement weekend in May and Yosemite peak season from April through October are two of the busiest stretches in the region — so the earlier you compare, the better your options and pricing. Use the online tool to see numbers for your trip, or call 559-491-9050 any time for a free quote!
| Type of Vehicle | Cost Per Hour Weekdays | Cost Per Hour Weekends | Cost Per Day | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 Passenger Charter Bus | $205 – $385+ | $225 – $410+ | $1,650 – $2,950+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 35 Passenger Minibus | $225 – $370+ | $255 – $385+ | $1,815 – $2,415+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 30 Passenger Minibus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.90 – $8.60+ |
| 28 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $355+ | $220 – $370+ | $1,540 – $2,255+ | $5.65 – $8.25+ |
| 25 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $350+ | $195 – $365+ | $1,420 – $2,180+ | $5.40 – $7.90+ |
| 20 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| 18 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $330+ | $190 – $350+ | $1,210 – $1,990+ | $5.00 – $7.25+ |
| 15 Passenger Minibus | $180 – $310+ | $180 – $330+ | $1,150 – $1,880+ | $4.75 – $6.95+ |
| 15-50 Passenger Party Bus | $248 – $426+ | $265 – $460+ | $1,827 – $2,954+ | $6.75 – $9.95+ |
| Sprinter Van with Driver | $190 – $373+ | $218 – $466+ | $1,395 – $2,848+ | $5.00 – $6.95+ |
| Sprinter Limo | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| School Bus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.00 – $7.60+ |
| ABOVE PRICES ARE JUST EXAMPLES. Your final price and vehicle options depend entirely on your specific trip details. To get an instant price quote for your trip, request an online quote or call 559-491-9050. | ||||
Find and Compare Options From Providers Serving Merced
Find a Merced Charter Bus Built for Your Group Size
Check out how simple this really is. You fill out one quick form — your pickup city, your date, your group size, and where you're headed. That's it.
In seconds, you're looking at a results page with different buses, vehicle photos, and pricing from a large network of transportation companies serving Merced and the entire Central California region. You can compare options side by side, see exactly what each bus comes with, and book right online through a national booking platform — all without picking up the phone if you don't want to.
Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com is not a bus company. Because we don't own any vehicles, you're never limited to whatever one fleet happens to have available on your date. You get access to a whole network of independently owned transportation companies, which means more bus types, more price points, and more packages to choose from.
And if you'd rather talk it through, a team is available every day of the year at 559-491-9050 to help you find exactly what you need. It really is that easy — one form, pricing, and a bus that works for your group!
Bus Rentals Available For Any Event
Check Which Charter Bus Services Are Offered in Merced
It doesn't matter what kind of trip you're planning — Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to find group transportation for any occasion in Merced. From airport runs and concert nights to school field trips and wedding shuttles, you can compare buses and prices for every service type right here. Find what fits your group and your plans in seconds!
merced airport transportation Merced Group Airport Transfers Made Simple
Because Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MCE) handles limited commercial traffic, most groups flying in or out of the area use Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) about 55 miles south on SR-99, Modesto City-County Airport (MOD) about 45 miles north, or San Francisco International (SFO) roughly 130 miles west. Getting your whole group to any of these airports without splitting into multiple cars — and dealing with SR-99 freight traffic and San Joaquin Valley heat — is exactly what a charter bus or minibus is built for.
Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to compare airport shuttle buses sized to your exact headcount, whether you need a sprinter van for six or a 56-passenger motorcoach for a large delegation. One bus, one pickup, one drop-off — and nobody is circling the terminal hunting for a rideshare. Enter your trip details to see available vehicles and pricing for your airport run, or call 559-491-9050 to get a free quote right now!
merced concert transportation Ride to Merced Concerts in Comfort
Moving your group to a show at the Merced Theatre (301 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340) or heading out to a larger venue in Fresno or Modesto is so much easier when you're not worrying about downtown parking or who's driving home. Downtown Merced has metered street parking and no dedicated bus lot near the theatre — a charter bus or minibus drops your group at the curb on W Main Street and handles the rest.
For bigger shows at Save Mart Center in Fresno or the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, a charter bus keeps everyone together on SR-99 instead of splitting into a caravan of cars. Compare party buses with built-in bars, LED lighting, and Bluetooth sound systems, or find a straightforward minibus for a no-frills group ride. Whatever the show, Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com has a bus in the network for your night out.
Use the online quote tool or call 559-491-9050 to compare options for your date!
merced corporate transportation Merced Corporate Events Made Simple with Bus Rentals
Instead of sending your team down SR-99 to Fresno or up to Modesto in a line of separate cars, a corporate charter bus keeps everyone on the same schedule and arrives together. Whether you're coordinating a client visit to UC Merced's research facilities, shuttling employees between office locations in the Central Valley, or organizing a group transfer to a conference in Sacramento or San Francisco, Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com makes finding the right bus fast and easy.
Compare charter buses and minibuses with amenities like onboard WiFi, reclining seats, and power outlets — so your team can stay productive on the road instead of stuck in traffic. You fill out one form and compare vehicles and pricing from a network of transportation companies serving Merced and all of Central California. No chasing down quotes from multiple companies, No waiting for callbacks to get pricing, no guessing.
Call 559-491-9050 or use the online tool to find corporate transportation for your next Merced-area event!
merced employee transportation Employee Shuttles in Merced for Any Company
You can count on Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com to make employee shuttle service in Merced simple to set up. Whether you need a daily commuter route between Merced and a Modesto or Fresno work site, a recurring shuttle for UC Merced staff, or temporary transportation during a facility project, you can compare available vehicles and pricing through one quick form — no account required.
Employee shuttles running on SR-99 between Merced and the surrounding Central Valley cities are one of the most practical ways to reduce the wear on your team's commute. A minibus or charter bus with reclining seats, WiFi, and climate control turns a long drive into a productive or restful ride. Compare buses from a network of transportation companies serving Merced and set up the route that works for your schedule.
Call 559-491-9050 any time to talk through the options!
merced government military transportation Merced Military and Government Transportation
Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com can help you find group transportation for government meetings, personnel moves, training events, and multi-day operations across Central California. Castle Air Force Base — now home to the Castle Air Museum (5050 Santa Fe Dr, Atwater, CA 95301) — is just 8 miles north of Merced, and the region has a strong military heritage and active veteran community. Whether you're coordinating a base transfer, a veterans' group outing, or a government conference shuttle, Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com connects you to a network of transportation companies with the vehicles to handle it.
Need an ADA-accessible bus? Just mention it when you request your quote. Compare full-size charter buses with undercarriage luggage bays, minibuses for smaller delegations, and sprinter vans for executive transfers.
One form, pricing, and a support team available at 559-491-9050 every day of the year to help you build the right package.
merced long distance transportation Get Your Group There with a Merced Long-Distance Charter Bus Rental
With Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com, you get access to full-size motorcoaches built for the long haul — reclining seats, onboard restrooms, undercarriage luggage bays, WiFi, and climate control for the whole group. Merced's location on SR-99 makes it a natural hub for long-distance group travel in every direction: 55 miles south to Fresno, 120 miles north to Sacramento, 130 miles west to San Francisco, and 80 miles east to Yosemite Valley via CA-140.
Instead of splitting your group across multiple cars for a full-day run, one charter bus keeps everyone together and comfortable from pickup to destination. Compare long-distance buses from a network of transportation companies serving Merced and all of California. Whether it's a one-way run, a round-trip, or a multi-day itinerary, the options are right here.
Use the online quote tool or call 559-491-9050 to find your long-distance bus today!
merced event transportation Charter Bus Rentals for Merced Private Events
In Merced, private events run the full range — family reunions at Lake Yosemite Regional Park (4490 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95340), company picnics at Applegate Park (1045 W 25th St, Merced, CA 95340), milestone birthday parties, anniversary dinners, and group outings to Yosemite National Park. Whatever brings your group together, a private charter bus or party bus keeps everyone on the same itinerary without anyone worrying about directions or parking.
Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to compare private event buses from a network of transportation companies serving Merced. You set the pickup points, you set the schedule, and you choose the bus that fits your group. Compare vehicles and pricing in seconds online, or call 559-491-9050 and a team member will help you put together a custom package for your event!
merced prom transportation Keep the Party Moving with Merced Party Bus Rentals
Ready to compare prom party buses before every other group in the Merced Union High School District books them first? Prom season in Merced — covering Merced High School, Golden Valley High School, El Capitan High School, and the surrounding district schools — runs through April and May, and it is one of the busiest stretches of the year for party bus rentals across the Central Valley. Waiting until the last minute means higher prices and fewer choices.
Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com lets you compare party buses with LED lighting, built-in bars, Bluetooth sound systems, and flat-panel TVs from a network of transportation companies serving Merced. Pick everyone up together, build the night around your own schedule, and arrive in style — all without anyone's parents driving. Compare available buses and pricing online in seconds, or call 559-491-9050 to lock in your date early!
merced church transportation Church Group Charter Bus Rentals in Merced
We make it easy for congregations, youth groups, and faith communities in Merced to find the right bus for retreats, services, conferences, and outings. Whether your group is heading to a regional conference in Fresno or Sacramento, a retreat in the Sierra Nevada foothills, or a pilgrimage to a site further across California, Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com connects you to a network of transportation companies with buses sized for groups of all sizes.
Compare 15-passenger minibuses for smaller congregations through 56-passenger motorcoaches for the whole community — with ADA-accessible options available on request. You fill out one form and see pricing from a network of transportation companies serving Merced, with no account required. Call 559-491-9050 any time to talk through your group's needs and find the right package!
merced field trip transportation Get Your Class Moving with Merced School Field Trip Bus Rentals
You're never limited to one bus or one company when you use Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com to find school field trip transportation in Merced. Compare school buses, minibuses, and full-size charter buses from a network of transportation companies serving Merced Unified School District and the surrounding area. Whether your class is heading to the Castle Air Museum — where buses park in the large paved lot off Santa Fe Drive with no advance reservation required — or to Applegate Park Zoo, where the lot off W 25th Street accommodates oversized vehicles, Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com helps you match the bus to your exact student-and-chaperone headcount.
ADA-accessible buses are available through the network — just mention it when you request your quote. Compare pictures, amenities, and pricing in one place, and keep the whole class on one itinerary. Call 559-491-9050 or use the online tool to find your field trip bus today!
merced sporting event transportation Youth Sports Team and Fan Group Bus Rentals in Merced
The UC Merced Bobcats compete across multiple sports, and fan groups, alumni, and family members all need a way to get to games without splitting into a long caravan on SR-99. A charter bus or minibus keeps your whole group together, whether you're heading to an away game in Fresno, a tournament in Sacramento, or a fan trip to a game in San Francisco or Oakland.
Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to compare sports team transportation and fan shuttle buses from a network of transportation companies serving Merced. For team travel, full-size motorcoaches with undercarriage luggage bays handle equipment and gear alongside passengers. For fan groups, a party bus with a built-in bar and Bluetooth sound keeps the energy up from the first pickup to the final whistle.
Compare options and pricing online in seconds, or call 559-491-9050 to find the right bus for your game day!
merced wedding transportation Stress-Free Merced Wedding Charter Bus Rentals
Browse wedding shuttle buses from a network of transportation companies serving Merced and find the perfect vehicle for your big day — without the stress of coordinating a dozen separate cars across town. Whether you're shuttling guests between a downtown Merced hotel and a ceremony venue, arranging a rehearsal dinner run, or planning a full weekend of transportation for out-of-town family arriving through Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com has the options to make it easy.
You can even request available white, black, or silver buses to match your wedding colors. Compare minibuses for intimate wedding parties, full-size charter buses for large guest lists, and party buses for the bachelorette group the night before. One form, pricing, and no account required.
Call 559-491-9050 or use the online quote tool to find your Merced wedding transportation today!
merced wine tour transportation Build Your Winery Itinerary Around a Merced Charter Bus Rental
Through a network of transportation companies serving Merced, you can find and compare buses for winery tours and brewery crawls across the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. The Merced area sits within easy reach of the Madera Wine Trail to the south, the Lodi wine region to the north, and a growing craft brewery scene in Modesto and Turlock — all within an hour or two on SR-99.
Instead of picking a designated driver or splitting the group across separate cars at every stop, a party bus or minibus keeps everyone together from the first tasting to the last pour. Compare available vehicles, amenities, and pricing from a network of transportation companies serving Merced. You set the stops, you set the pace, and the bus handles everything else.
Call 559-491-9050 or use the online quote tool to find your wine tour or brewery bus today!
Fast, Free Quotes
Book Your Merced Charter Bus Rentals in 3 Quick Steps
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01
Submit Your Request
Use the online quote tool to share your trip details, including the date, passenger count, and pickup/drop-off locations. It only takes a minute to fill out.
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02
Compare The Options
Your request goes to a national booking platform, where you compare pricing and vehicle photos of available buses to find the right fit for your group.
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03
Lock In Your Bus
Pick the vehicle that fits your group and complete your booking right on the platform. Now you can relax!
Charter Bus Service Near You in Merced & Beyond
Your group transportation options don't stop at the Merced city limits! Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com connects you to a network of transportation companies serving Atwater, Los Banos, Turlock, Modesto, Fresno, Madera, Stockton, and cities all across Central California. Compare buses for local trips and long-distance runs statewide — all from one quick form!
Nearby Cities You Can Get Bus Rentals To
Have Questions? Help Is Just a Call Away!
Frequently Asked Questions About Merced Charter Bus Rentals
Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com helps you compare buses rental options; it is not a transportation company and does not rent, own, or operate vehicles. When you submit the quote form, your trip details go through a booking company so you can review pricing and available vehicles for your date. You compare the options and book through the process shown with your quote.
Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com is an advertising and quote comparison website that makes it easy for anyone who needs group transportation to find and compare bus rentals in Merced, California. It is not a local bus company, a motor carrier, or a transportation operator. Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com is a website where you fill out one quick form and instantly see vehicles, amenities, and pricing from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving the area. Transportation is provided by those independent operators, and booking is completed through a national booking platform.
Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MCE) at 20 Macready Dr, Merced, CA 95341 handles limited commercial service, so most groups use one of the larger regional airports nearby. Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) is approximately 55 miles south of Merced via SR-99 and serves American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, and United. Modesto City-County Airport (MOD) is about 45 miles north via SR-99.
San Francisco International (SFO) is roughly 130 miles west and is the primary gateway for international travelers. Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com can help you compare airport shuttle buses sized to your group for any of these airports.
Yes — and Merced is the closest major city to Yosemite's western approach via CA-140 (the All-Year Highway), approximately 75 to 80 miles east. The drive takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by bus. Private charter buses can enter Yosemite National Park, but buses over 35 feet must use specific entrances or obtain an oversized vehicle permit.
The National Park Service recommends groups contact the park's visitor information line at (209) 372-0200 for routing guidance. Yosemite is not using a timed vehicle entry reservation system in 2026, but April through October remains the park's busiest stretch — plan departures before 8am or after 2pm on summer weekends to avoid the worst congestion near the El Portal entrance on CA-140.
UC Merced (5200 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95343) directs charter bus drop-off along Scholar Lane near the main campus core. For major events like commencement in May and Move-In Weekend in late August, charter bus parking is directed to designated overflow lots — and because lot assignments can change by event, groups should contact UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services in advance to confirm the staging area for their specific date. The campus is approximately 6 miles from downtown Merced and is not walkable from the city center, making a charter bus or minibus the most practical option for large groups.
The Castle Air Museum has a large paved parking lot adjacent to the museum entrance off Santa Fe Drive that accommodates buses without advance reservation for general visits. The museum is approximately 8 miles north of downtown Merced in Atwater. It is open daily, 9am to 4pm (closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).
For school field trips and large group visits, it is always a good idea to call the museum at (209) 723-2182 ahead of your visit to confirm any event-day access changes. Admission is $25 for general adult admission, $20 for seniors and military, and $15 for children ages 6-17 (children under 6 with a paying adult are free) — these costs are separate from your bus rental and not included in any quote from this site.
Two stretches drive the most demand for bus rentals in Merced. UC Merced commencement weekend in mid-May is the single busiest period — families and alumni groups from across California and beyond all need transportation at the same time, and vehicles book out months in advance. Yosemite peak season from April through October is the second major driver, as Merced is the primary gateway city for charter bus trips to the park via CA-140.
Prom season in April and May across the Merced Union High School District adds additional pressure on party buses and minibuses. Book three to six months out for commencement and prom dates, and at least two to three months out for summer Yosemite runs.
Absolutely. Long-distance charter buses from the network are available for day trips and multi-day runs from Merced to San Francisco (approximately 130 miles west), Sacramento (approximately 120 miles north via SR-99 and I-5), Fresno (approximately 55 miles south), and destinations across California. Full-size motorcoaches available through the network come with reclining seats, onboard restrooms, undercarriage luggage bays, WiFi, and climate control — everything your group needs for a comfortable long-distance run.
Use the online quote tool to compare options and pricing for your specific route, or call 559-491-9050 to put together a custom package.
For most Merced-area trips, booking two to four weeks out gives you good vehicle selection and competitive pricing. For high-demand dates — UC Merced commencement in May, prom season in April and May, and Yosemite peak weekends from April through October — book three to six months in advance. The earlier you compare options through Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com, the more vehicles and price points you'll have to choose from.
Waiting until the last minute on a busy date almost always means higher prices and limited availability. Call 559-491-9050 today to lock in your date!
Visit Any Destination in Hanford and Beyond!
Get Your Group to These Merced Destinations by Bus
This is a city with more to explore than most people expect — from a free public zoo and one of California's oldest courthouses to the gateway of one of the most visited national parks in the world. A charter bus or minibus keeps your whole group together from the first stop to the last, and Hanfordcharterbuscompany.com makes finding the right bus for any of these destinations fast and easy!
Use the previous and next buttons, the left and right arrow keys, or swipe to browse six destinations.
Yosemite National Park
Merced is the closest major city to Yosemite's western approach via CA-140, the All-Year Highway, approximately 75 to 80 miles east — about 1.5 to 2 hours by bus. The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is located at 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389. Phone: (209) 372-0200.
Private charter buses can enter the park; buses over 35 feet must follow specific routing and may need an oversized vehicle permit — contact the park's visitor information line at (209) 372-0200 before your visit. Yosemite is not using a timed vehicle entry reservation system in 2026, but April through October remains the busiest stretch for traffic in the valley. Plan departures before 8am or after 2pm on summer weekends to avoid congestion on CA-140 near the El Portal entrance.
Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, and Valley View are the primary group stops inside the valley.
Castle Air Museum
Located 8 miles north of downtown Merced in Atwater, the Castle Air Museum at 5050 Santa Fe Dr, Atwater, CA 95301 — phone (209) 723-2182 — is one of the best military aviation museums in California. More than 70 vintage aircraft are displayed outdoors and indoors, including a B-52 Stratofortress, SR-71 Blackbird, and U-2 reconnaissance plane. Open daily, 9am to 4pm (closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).
Admission is $25 for general adult admission, $20 for seniors and military, and $15 for children ages 6-17 (children under 6 with a paying adult are free) — not included in your bus quote. Buses park in the large paved lot off Santa Fe Drive with no advance reservation required for general visits. A popular destination for school field trips, veterans' groups, and aviation enthusiasts.
Call the venue directly at (209) 723-2182 to confirm event-day access before your visit.
Applegate Park & Zoo
Applegate Park and Zoo at 1045 W 25th St, Merced, CA 95340 is one of the few free public zoos in California, operated by the City of Merced. Home to more than 150 animals including mountain lions, black bears, red foxes, and birds of prey. The park also features a carousel, duck pond, and large picnic areas ideal for group outings.
Open daily, 8am to 5pm for the park; zoo hours align with park hours. Admission is free. The parking lot off W 25th Street accommodates oversized vehicles.
A top destination for school field trips, family reunions, and company picnics. No advance bus reservation required for general access.
UC Merced
The University of California Merced at 5200 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95343 is the newest UC campus, opened in 2005, with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students. The campus sits about 6 miles northeast of downtown Merced on the edge of the San Joaquin Valley foothills and is not walkable from the city center, making charter buses the most practical group option. Major events include commencement in mid-May, Bobcat Days admitted student preview days in spring, and Move-In Weekend in late August.
Bus drop-off is along Scholar Lane near the main campus core. For event-day parking assignments, contact UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services in advance — lot assignments change by event.
Lake Yosemite Regional Park
Lake Yosemite Regional Park at 4490 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95340 is a 1,500-acre regional park and reservoir managed by Merced County, approximately 7 miles northeast of downtown Merced. The park is popular for boating, fishing, picnicking, and bird watching, and its large parking area accommodates buses without advance reservation for general access. A day-use fee applies.
Frequently used for company picnics, family reunions, and school outings, the park sits along the same North Lake Road corridor as UC Merced, making it easy to combine both destinations on a single group itinerary. Open seasonally — confirm current hours and access through Merced County Parks before your visit.
Merced County Courthouse Museum
The Merced County Courthouse Museum at 21st and N Streets, Merced, CA 95340 — phone (209) 723-2401, mercedmuseum.org — is one of the oldest surviving courthouses in California, built in 1875 and now operated as a history museum showcasing Merced County's heritage. Free admission. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
The museum is located in downtown Merced, with bus drop-off available on N Street or 21st Street and staging on nearby surface streets — there is no dedicated bus lot downtown, so coordinate staging in advance for large groups. A popular stop for school field trips and heritage tours, and a natural anchor for a downtown Merced itinerary that also includes the Merced Theatre and local dining on Main Street.