Instagram story viewer> @visitmercedca> Posts

Visit Merced

@visitmercedca

3.4K

followers

219

following

The official page for #VisitMerced
Get to know Merced.
Events, culture, and local fun.
Follow for what’s happening around town 🎉

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

It’s National Coffee Day ☕️

And Downtown Merced has plenty of reasons to celebrate.

From your morning coffee run to an afternoon pick-me-up, there’s a little bit of everything Downtown.

And that’s kind of the fun of it. Each one brings something different to Downtown, and together they’re part of what makes this place feel like Downtown Merced. 🤎

Today is a good day to show our Downtown coffee spots some love:

📍 @coffeebandits — 309 W Main
📍 @hola_cafecito — 429 W Main
📍 @elcidcoffee — 1740 Canal, inside @cienojosstudio
📍 Wired Cafe — 450 W 18th
📍 @sensorylabco — 847 W Main
📍 Native Son — 609 W Main, inside @elcapitanmerced

You probably have your go-to ☕️, but we want to know which Downtown coffee spot is still on your “need to try” list? 👀

[This video is a repost from December 2025.] by @visitmercedca

589

8

18 hours ago

@yosemitenps on your bucket list? 🏞️ You can now fly nonstop to Merced from Los Angeles (LAX) or Las Vegas with @iflycontour and make Merced your home base for the trip.

Explore a growing @downtownmerced, discover arts and culture throughout the year, and experience the city that’s home to the newest UC campus: @ucmerced.

Then take @rideyarts into Yosemite, with multiple pickup spots and departure times in Merced. No mountain driving or park parking to worry about.

Merced is a city to keep your eye on. Come see it now, you’ll want to say you were here from the beginning. 💛

Plan your trip at visitmerced.org. taken in Merced, California by @visitmercedca

370

5

7 days ago

Merced is a community rich in culture, creativity, and connection and we just want to make sure everyone else can see what we see and love about it. 💛

In the last year alone, Merced has hosted Lao New Year, Tahiti Fête, rooftop movie nights, bicycle tournaments, the PRCA Pro Rodeo and a Western Heritage Day, Mercado Nights, Diwali Night, Hmong American New Year, and Merced Art Fest—a weeklong celebration that brought five new murals to Downtown Merced.

Add in our strong local theatre scene and countless other community events, and it’s no surprise that Merced is home to one of only 24 state-recognized Cultural Districts—and this isn’t even scratching the surface.

Merced is also home to @themercedcollege and @ucmerced, two institutions educating our future workforce, driving innovation, and bringing new ideas, energy, and people into our community.

Oh, and @yosemitenps? It’s just a drive—or a @rideyarts ride—away. Spend the day exploring one of the world’s most iconic national parks, then return to Merced to experience the food, art, culture, and community waiting here.

We’re incredibly proud of the people who have created all of this. Now it’s time everyone knew about it.

This is Merced. ✨

🎥: Shots & Video by @thehonorengraved taken in Merced, California by @visitmercedca

102

4

19 days ago

💙💛 What a welcome, Merced!

We are overwhelmed by the support and positivity this brought to our community! 22 Downtown businesses participated and more than 750 votes were cast! 🐾

Even better, several businesses collaborated with members of our local arts community to bring their blue + gold visions to life. Businesses, artists, students and community coming together — THIS is community.

To keep things fair, final results combined community voting with scores from three independent secret judges who evaluated creativity, Bobcat spirit and overall impact.

🏆 Congratulations to our winners!
🥇 HeadquarterZ Barbershop
🥈 @trevinos_mexrestaurant
🥉 @lamichoacana_fruitandicecream

Thank you to every business that took a chance and joined us, and to everyone who voted and showed up! We hope this is the start of a new Downtown Merced tradition. 💙💛

The contest is over but our @ucmerced is everlasting, come check out our amazing downtown Merced businesses this week! taken in Downtown Merced by @visitmercedca

804

0

a month ago

The downtown storefronts aren’t the only ones showing their Bobcat spirit! 💙💛🐾

All around Merced, the community is getting in on the welcome:

🎭 @mercedtheatre is welcoming Bobcats on its iconic marquee — go take a selfie and tag us, Bobcats!

🚌 @mercedthebus has “Welcome to Merced, Bobcats!” messages displayed across most of its fleet, so keep an eye out while you’re around town!

💙 @thetiogamerced is glowing Bobcat blue for the weekend!

Check them out while you’re exploring Merced this weekend. These may seem like small details individually, but together they’re such a great example of the community pride that makes Merced special. by @visitmercedca

290

3

a month ago

One thing about Merced, the community pride is real. 💙💛

And this week, Downtown Merced is showing up for our Bobcats! 🐾

21 Downtown businesses have gone blue + gold for Move-In Week to welcome new and returning UC Merced students and families to our community.

Now it’s time to come see them for yourself!

Voting is open to the entire community through Sunday, August 23. Stop by the participating storefronts, check out all the hard work and creativity, explore a little more of Downtown while you’re here, and vote for your favorites!

📲 Find the QR code at each participating storefront to cast your vote.

See a display you love? Take a photo and tag @visitmercedca so we can reshare your favorites!

And a BIG thank you to all of our participating businesses — you truly showed up and made Downtown feel extra special this week. 💙💛

Welcome to Merced, Bobcats! by @visitmercedca

1k

21

a month ago

UC Merced Move-In Week is upon us!

To celebrate, 21 downtown Merced businesses have come together to welcome incoming UC Merced students and families through a fun and competitive storefront decorating contest.

“All week long, beginning August 19th, you’ll be able to walk Main Street and vote for your favorite storefront,” said Gloria Valdovinos, Executive Director of the Downtown Merced Partnership.

Look for the voting QR code to cast your vote for your favorite storefront through Sunday, August 23rd.

The winning business will receive two advertisement in our newspaper (thanks to @downtownmerced @visitmercedca ) and the top three placements will also receive a commemorative plaque to honor the new Merced tradition.

Video: @daisyafterhours by @visitmercedca

1k

14

a month ago

💙💛 WELCOME, BOBCATS!

Downtown Merced is excited to welcome UC Merced students, families, and our entire community for Move-In Week!

21 Downtown businesses have been working hard all week to deck out their storefronts in blue + gold, and now it’s time to see what they created! 🐾

Voting is OPEN TO EVERYONE through Sunday, August 23! Stop by, say hello, check out the displays, explore what Downtown has to offer, and show some love to the small businesses that make our Downtown special.

🏆 Visit the participating businesses
💙 Vote for your favorites
🛍️ Shop, eat + explore Downtown Merced
📲 Link in bio to vote!

This contest is presented by Visit Merced. For all things Merced, places to eat, things to do, events, local favorites and more — follow @visitmercedca and explore visitmerced.org.

We’re so excited to have you here, Bobcats. Welcome to Merced! 💙💛🐾

Repost because typo! taken in Downtown Merced by @visitmercedca

444

5

a month ago

💙💛 WE’RE STARTING A NEW DOWNTOWN TRADITION! 🐾

UC Merced Move-In Week is here, and Downtown Merced is showing up Blue & Gold! 💙💛 As students and families arrive for the start of a new school year, we’re coming together to give our Bobcats a warm Downtown welcome.

20+ Downtown businesses are joining in for our Storefront Decorating Contest, filling their windows and storefronts with UC Merced spirit — and YOU get to choose the winners! 🏆

We’re excited to see Downtown filled with Blue & Gold and come together as a community to welcome UC Merced students and families! Grab a coffee, get some food, do a little shopping, and make your way around Downtown to see all of the displays before casting your votes. 💙💛

📍 Official map of all participating locations + more contest details coming soon!

HOW TO VOTE:
Explore Downtown throughout the week and check out all of the participating storefronts! Each display will have a number + QR code where you can cast your vote for your TOP 3 FAVORITES.

💙 Voting opens Wednesday, August 19
💛 Voting closes Sunday, August 23 at 11:59 PM

🥇 1st Place
🥈 2nd Place
🥉 3rd Place

And yes, there are bragging rights on the line! 👀 The first-place winner will also receive TWO advertisements in @mercedtimes, plus all three winners will receive a commemorative plaque to proudly display! 🏆

The first-place winner will also receive TWO advertisements in @mercedtimes, plus all three winners will receive a commemorative plaque to proudly display! 🏆 taken in Downtown Merced by @visitmercedca

401

7

a month ago

Yosemite deserves more than a day trip. 🌲

Here’s a travel tip that can make your visit a little easier: @rideyarts from Merced straight into Yosemite National Park.

With three convenient boarding locations in Merced, multiple daily departures, and stops throughout Yosemite Valley, getting to the park is easy.

Instead of focusing on the drive, sit back and enjoy the journey with:
🚌 Air-conditioned coaches
🔌 Charging outlets
🚻 Onboard restroom

Then, after a full day exploring Yosemite, head back to Merced to enjoy locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and a comfortable place to relax before your next adventure.

The best trips aren’t rushed and some of the best Yosemite adventures start and end in Merced.

Save this for your next Yosemite getaway. ✨

#VisitMerced #Yosemite #YARTS #YosemiteNationalPark #Merced GatewayToYosemite CaliforniaTravel TravelTips taken in Downtown Merced by @visitmercedca

4k

30

2 months ago

One year ago, we started sharing all things Downtown Merced…

And wow… we didn’t realize just how much we’d capture in a year. 🥹

✨ An Art Festival w/ 5 new murals
🛍️ Mercados & vendor markets
💃 Dancing at the plaza
🎻 Live symphony performances
🍻 Oktoberfest
⚽️ World Cup watch parties
🎄 Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade
🇺🇸 Veterans Parade
🌸 Hmong American Day
🎉 Lao New Year
🪔 Diwali
🎬 A Film Festival
🎶 Children’s choir performances
💙 …and so much more.

And somehow… we still couldn’t fit it all into one minute.

This is just a glimpse. There are even more live music nights, theatre performances, craft workshops, pop-ups, markets, and community events happening all year long—and we’ll keep sharing them with you!

If you’ve ever thought, “I never know what’s going on in Merced,” you’re not alone. That’s exactly why this page exists.

Follow @DowntownMerced and let us help you discover more, support local, romanticize your weekends, and never miss the moments that make this community so special.

Here’s to another year of making memories together. 💙 taken in Downtown Merced by @visitmercedca

1k

12

2 months ago

Checking into Merced? 🧳✨

From comfortable stays near local attractions to convenient options for campus visits, family trips, and weekend getaways, Merced has a hotel for every kind of visit.

Find your stay and start planning your trip! 🏨
.
.
.
.
.
Keywords: Visit Merced, Merced Inn & Suites, Merced hotels, stay in Merced, Merced CA, Towneplace Place Suites by @visitmercedca

8

0

2 months ago