Looking for fun and adventure? Here are 10 destinations a short drive from Merced

Families looking for fun and interesting activities, can find multiple destinationswithin a short drive of Merced.

From exploring nature and the natural beauty of California, to learning about fossils of animals who roamed the earth millions of year ago, to a relaxing spa that offers a sauna and massages to arts and entertainment, there are many day-trip options that are available without the need of a lengthy .

Here is a list of options located within a short drive from Merced.

Castle Air Museum

Castle Air Museum spans 35 acres of the original Castle Air Force Base in Atwater. The museum features more than 80 historical aircraft including WWII era bombers, to helicopters and modern fighter jets. The museum’s Spring Open Cockpit Day is scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 24.

The museum is open9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, with the last admission at 3:15 p.m.. General admission to the museum is $25, $20 for seniors age 65 and older. Admission $15 for children age 6-17. Admission is free for children age 6 and underwho enter with a paid adult. Admission is $20 for active and retired military members with ID .

Group tours are available for groups of 15 people or more and tour add-ons can be purchased to tour a retired Air Force One aircraft. Additional information can be found on the museum website.

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge is made up of more than 26,000 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, woodlands and vernal pools. Located in Los Banos, the refuge offers more than 10 miles of nature trails and more than 15 miles of auto tour routes.

The refuge is home to various species of birds and waterfowl, as well as a variety of mammals including deer, coyote and a herd of Tule Elk. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars and cameras. There is no fee to visit the refuge’s nature trails, auto tour routes and visitor center. The visitor center is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.. Monday through Friday. For information:go to San Luis National Wildlife Refuge website.

Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort

Just off of Highway 140 between Mariposa and Yosemite National Park is the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort. The health spa offers soaking baths, massages and a sauna. Overnight accommodations include private cabins and hostel lodging. The resort also features the June Bug Cafe offers breakfast, lunch and dinner serving American comfort and international foods. A semi-changing dinner menu and vegan and vegetarian options as well. Information can be found on the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort website.

Gallo Center for the Arts

The Gallo Center for the Arts, is the home of Modesto Performing Arts, Opera Modesto, the Modesto Symphony and the Central West Ballet. The roughly 1,200 seat state-of-the-art center opened in the fall of 2007. Information about upcoming events and tickets can purchased at the Gallo Center for the Arts website.

Columbia State Historic Park

Columbia State Historic Park , attracted prospectors from around the world to California, and in 1853, Columbia was one of the largest cities in the state. The historic Gold Rush town hosts various events throughout the year and visitors can take a tour led by a staff and volunteer docents. Stagecoach rides are available and visitors can find various merchants in the town as well as listen to music in historic saloons, performances at the Fallon Theatre, candle dipping, grab a bite to eat or experience one of the hiking trails.

Park exhibits are open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily May 24 through Sept. 2. Information an be found at the Columbia State Historic Park website.

Yosemite National Park

Those looking for a variety of hiking trails, camping options, backpacking or rock climbing, can find a variety of activities and adventure at Yosemite National Park. Spanning nearly 1,200 square miles, the picturesque landscape of Yosemite is home to ancient sequoias, deep valleys rock formations, waterfalls and grand meadows. Visitors can also sign up for guided tours, attend ranger and interpretive programs, go horseback riding, bird watching, rock climbing and star gazing in the park that was first protected in 1864.

Reservations are not currently required to enter the park. The National Park Service recommends those planning on visiting the park to check the parks website managing visitor access the summer. Anyone looking to stay in the park should reserve lodging as early as possible. Information about activities and reservation counts be found at the Yosemite National Park website.

The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle.

Moaning Caverns Adventure Park

Located roughly 70 miles north of Merced is the Moaning Caverns Adventure Park in Vallecito. The park is home to the deepest cave chamber in the state where visitors can descend deep underground while taking a guided walking tour. Activities in include gemstone mining, a spiral tour descending 16 stories into the cave and expedition tours that will have you climbing, crawling and squeezing your way through unlit, wild areas of the cave.

Spiral tours cost $22 for ages 12 and up. The cost is $15 for children age 3-11 and children under the age of 3 get in free. Expedition trips cost $95 and are available for visitors age 12 and older. The cost of gemstone mining is $6.99 to $9.99 plus tax. Information can be found at the Calaveras Visitors Bureau website.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo exhibits feature a wide variety of animals from around the world including lions, elephants, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffe, tigers, sea lions, tropical rainforest birds, reptile species, kangaroos, sharks and more. Visitors can feed and touch stingrays, feed giraffes and get up close with animals in the zoo’s Valley Farm exhibit. Visitors can walk through the Reptile House where they will find a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians like lizards, frogs, turtles and snakes.

Multiple admission options are available including general admission which is $23.95 for non-Fresno County residents age 12 and older. Admission is $16.95 for children age 2-11. Admission plus and admission premium options include additional entry and experience options. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the zoo website for details.

Splash-n-Dash Water Park

Those looking to cool off this when the temperatures rise can do so at the Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park, an inflatable water park located inside the day-use area at the Lake McSwain Recreation Area in Snelling. The water park features a a 20-foot tall tower and three slides, a 25-foot tall tower with slides, a 33-foot Mega Blob and two relay dash sections. The park also features a Lil’ Splash for in shallower water for children under 7 years of age. Paddle boards, single and double kayaks are also available for rental.

Admission prices and park hours vary. Visit the Splash-n-Dash website for details.

Fossil Discovery Center

Located near the Fairmead landfill in Madera County, the Fossil Discovery Center is home to one of the largest middle-Pleistocene fossil excavations in North America. Visitors can view various exhibits that document prehistoric life in the San Joaquin Valley during earth’s last Ice Age. The center features fossil remains of animals such as the giant sloth, saber-tooth cat and horses. The center also has a replica of a 12-foot tall Short faced bear and a 13-foot tall Columbian mammoth.

The Fossil Discovery Center is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Tickets for the center are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children. Children age 3 and under are free. Information can be found at the Fossil Discovery Center website.

This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM.