Atwater
Atwater sits in California's Central Valley, a few miles north of Merced, and spent decades as the home of Castle Air Force Base before the base closed in 1995. That history is still the town's biggest draw: the old runway grounds are now home to one of the largest collections of retired military aircraft on the West Coast.
Outside the museum, Atwater is a quiet farming town built around almond orchards and dairy country, with a small downtown and a handful of family-run restaurants that lean heavily Mexican and Central Valley comfort food.
It works well as a stop on the way through the Central Valley rather than a multi-day destination, though the aircraft museum alone is worth planning a half day around.
Map
Things to Do
Castle Air Museum
Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Blaker Brewing - The Tarmac
Hunter Family Farms
Applegate Park Zoo
Lake Yosemite County Park
The Partisan
Hi-Fi Wine
Tioga-Sequoia Merced Taproom
17th Street Public House
The Merced Theatre
Regal Hollywood Merced
Merced County Fair
Downtown Merced Christmas Parade
Merced Hmong New Year Celebration
Lao Boat Racing Festival
Merced River Recreation Management Area
Atwater Historical Society Museum
Rancho Del Rey Golf Course
Veterans Park
Osborn Park
Bellevue Bowl
Fahrens Park
Rahilly Park
The High Dive Bar & Lounge
Merced Certified Farmers' Market
Castle Air Fest: Fall Blitz Car Show
Merced Bike Path
McNamara Park
Restaurants
Ranchito Taqueria
Isabella's Bar & Grill
Atwater Sushi
Pizza Guys
Foster's Freeze
Pizza Hut
Papa Murphy's
Burger King
Papa John's Pizza
Hotels
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Merced
Hampton Inn & Suites Merced
Best Western Inn
Applegate Inn
Travelodge by Wyndham Merced Yosemite
Days Inn by Wyndham Merced/Yosemite Area
Quality Inn Merced Gateway to Yosemite
Valley Motel
San Joaquin Motel
Fairbridge Inn & Suites Gateway to Yosemite
Slumber Motel
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