56 Passenger Charter Bus
busrentalmerced.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, California
That's all it takes — one quick form — and you'll instantly see vehicles, amenities, and prices from a large network of charter bus companies serving Merced, California and the entire surrounding region. Whether your group is heading to the Merced County Fair, shuttling guests to a wedding at Gateway Gardens, or catching a ride out to Yosemite, Busrentalmerced.com makes finding the right bus fast, easy, and completely free to quote. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online tool right now!
Book Charter Bus Rentals in Merced in Under a Minute
Choose the bus that works for your group — not whatever one company happens to have sitting in its lot. Busrentalmerced.com is an advertising and quote comparison website, not a local bus company. That means you're never limited to a single fleet. Fill out one quick form, and you'll land on a results page showing vehicles, photos, and pricing from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Merced, CA — all in seconds, no account required.
Request the amenities you want upfront: onboard WiFi, reclining seats, power outlets, a built-in bar, an onboard restroom — say it when you fill out the form. Compare pictures and prices side-by-side so you know exactly what you're booking before you commit. And because the network covers all of California, buses are available for local trips around Merced and long-distance runs to Fresno, Sacramento, the Bay Area, and beyond.
Call 209-819-5850 any time for a free quote, or use the 30-second online tool to see what's available for your dates right now!
Merced Charter Bus Rental Options
You'll find every bus type you need through this site — sprinter vans, 15- to 35-passenger minibuses, 15- to 50-passenger party buses, 56-passenger charter buses, and school buses — all available from a network of transportation companies serving Merced and the Central Valley. Compare sizes, amenities, and prices in one place and find exactly what your group needs!
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 209-819-5850 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
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Reclining Seats
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Onboard Restroom
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Individual Climate Control
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Onboard Wi-Fi
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Power Outlets
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Overhead Storage
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Under-Bus Luggage Storage
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TV Monitors
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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 209-819-5850 before booking.
Get Bus Quotes in Minutes!
Get Merced Charter Bus Rental Pricing in Seconds
Give yourself 30 seconds and you'll have pricing from a network of bus companies serving Merced, California — no phone tag, no waiting on callbacks, no account required. Just enter your pickup location, travel date, group size, and trip times, and you'll land on a results page showing available vehicles, photos, and prices side by side. What you pay depends on the bus type, your group size, how long you need the vehicle, and the time of year.
A 15-passenger minibus for a short local run prices differently than a 56-passenger charter bus for a multi-day trip to Sacramento or the Bay Area. Prom season in April and May, UC Merced commencement in mid-May, and the Merced County Fair in June are the busiest windows of the year — book early on those dates. Call 209-819-5850 any time for a free personalized quote, or use the online tool right now to see your options!
| 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 209-819-5850. | ||||
Find and Compare Options From Providers Serving Merced
Find a Merced Charter Bus Built for Your Group Size
Wherever your group is headed — across town, across the Central Valley, or all the way to Yosemite National Park — Busrentalmerced.com puts every available bus option right in front of you from one quick form. That's the whole idea. Instead of calling five different Merced-area bus companies, describing your trip five times, and waiting on five callbacks that may or may not come, you fill out one form and compare everything in one place.
You'll see different vehicle types, different amenity packages, and different price points from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Merced and the surrounding region — all on one results page, with photos, so you know what you're looking at before you book.
Busrentalmerced.com is not a bus company. It doesn't own any vehicles. That's exactly why it works so well for you — because you're never limited to one fleet or one price.
You're comparing across a whole network, and you choose the bus that fits your group and your budget. Whether you need a one-way airport transfer to Fresno Yosemite International, a round-trip for a quinceañera at Gateway Gardens, or a multi-day package for a corporate retreat, the options are right here. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online quote tool to find your bus in seconds!
Bus Rentals Available For Any Event
Check Which Charter Bus Services Are Offered in Merced
You can count on Busrentalmerced.com to help you find group transportation for any occasion across Merced and the Central Valley — from airport transfers and prom night to Yosemite gateway trips, sporting events, school field trips, weddings, corporate shuttles, and everything in between. Whatever brings your group together, there's a bus in the network ready for it!
Merced Airport Transportation
You deserve a stress-free airport run — and a charter bus or minibus makes it happen. Merced Regional Airport (MCE) handles limited commercial service at 1860 Airport Way, Merced, CA 95341, but most groups flying in or out of the region use Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) about 60 miles south on CA-99, Sacramento International (SMF) roughly 120 miles north, or San Francisco International (SFO) about 120 miles west via CA-99 and CA-152. Instead of splitting your group across multiple cars for any of those drives — or paying surge-priced rideshares after a long flight — one bus handles the whole group together.
Compare minibuses, sprinter vans, and full-size charter buses for airport runs to and from Merced through the network. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online quote tool to find your airport transportation today!
Merced Concert Transportation
With Busrentalmerced.com, securing concert transportation in Merced is fast and easy! Whether your group is heading to a show at Merced Theatre (301 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340) in the heart of downtown, catching a fairgrounds concert at Merced County Fairgrounds (900 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Merced, CA 95341), or making the run down CA-99 to a bigger show in Fresno, a party bus or charter bus keeps everyone together from the first pickup to the last song. Downtown Merced's one-way streets make parking a headache on event nights — a bus drops your group curbside on W Main Street at the theatre marquee and picks everyone up at the same spot when the show ends.
No parking hunt, no splitting up, no surge pricing. Compare available concert buses through the network and find what works for your group. Call 209-819-5850 to get started!
Merced Corporate Event Transportation
Busrentalmerced.com is here to make corporate transportation in Merced the easy part of your event planning. Whether you're shuttling employees between offices along CA-99, moving a team to a conference in Fresno or Modesto, or coordinating group transportation for a client event at a Central Valley venue, one bus keeps everyone on schedule without the chaos of a dozen separate cars. Compare minibuses and full-size charter buses with amenities like onboard WiFi, reclining seats, and power outlets — so your team can stay productive on the road.
Need a recurring employee shuttle or a one-time event transfer? Busrentalmerced.com connects you to a network of transportation companies serving Merced and the surrounding region so you can find the right vehicle at the right price. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online tool to get a quote in under a minute!
Merced Employee Transportation
Look no further for employee shuttle service in Merced — Busrentalmerced.com makes it easy to compare commuter buses, daily shuttles, and recurring transportation packages from a network of independently owned transportation companies serving the Central Valley. CA-99 congestion between Merced, Atwater, Livingston, and Turlock is a daily grind for commuters. A dedicated employee shuttle puts your team in comfortable seats with WiFi and climate control while someone else handles the driving.
Whether you need a 15-passenger minibus for a small team or a 56-passenger coach for a larger workforce, you can compare available options, amenities, and pricing right through this site. Set your pickup points, your schedule, and your headcount — then find the bus that fits. Call 209-819-5850 for a free quote or use the online tool to compare employee shuttle options now!
Merced Government & Military Transportation
Let Busrentalmerced.com help you find reliable group transportation for government and military travel in and around Merced, California. The region sits near Castle Air Force Base (now decommissioned, home to Castle Air Museum in Atwater) and serves a range of federal and state agency needs across the Central Valley. Whether you're coordinating personnel transfers, moving a team to a training event, or arranging transportation for a government conference in Fresno or Sacramento, Busrentalmerced.com connects you to a network of transportation companies that can handle your headcount.
Compare minibuses and full-size charter buses — including ADA-accessible vehicles (just mention it when you request your quote) — and find the package that fits your schedule and your group. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online tool to get a free quote for government and military transportation in Merced today!
Merced Long-Distance Transportation
Through Busrentalmerced.com, finding long-distance bus transportation from Merced, California is simple. The Central Valley puts your group within striking distance of some of California's best destinations — Yosemite National Park is roughly 75 miles east on CA-140 through Mariposa, San Francisco is about 120 miles west via CA-99 and CA-152, Sacramento is 120 miles north on CA-99, and Los Angeles is roughly 280 miles south. Full-size 56-passenger charter buses come loaded with reclining seats, climate control, onboard restrooms, WiFi, power outlets, and undercarriage luggage bays — everything your group needs to travel comfortably over longer distances.
Compare long-distance motorcoaches from a network of transportation companies serving Merced through one quick form. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online quote tool to find your long-distance bus today!
Merced Private Event Transportation
From quinceañeras at Gateway Gardens Event Center (4000 W Childs Ave, Merced, CA 95341) to birthday celebrations, family reunions at Yosemite Lake Resort (7000 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95340), and private parties across the Central Valley, Busrentalmerced.com makes it easy to find the right bus for your private event. Instead of asking guests to navigate CA-99, find parking, and figure out their own way home, one bus or minibus keeps the whole group together from the first pickup to the last drop-off. You set the itinerary.
You choose the stops. And you pick from a network of available buses, packages, and prices that fit your event and your budget. Compare party buses, minibuses, and charter buses from transportation companies serving Merced right through this site.
Call 209-819-5850 to get started!
Merced Prom Transportation
No one should have to stress about prom night logistics — and with Busrentalmerced.com, they don't have to! Prom season runs April through May across Merced-area schools including Merced High School, Golden Valley High School, El Capitan High School, and districts in Livingston and Atwater — and it is one of the single busiest stretches of the year for bus rentals across the Central Valley. That means the best vehicles at the best prices go fast.
A 15- to 50-passenger party bus comes loaded with color-changing LED lighting, a built-in bar, Bluetooth sound, and flat-panel TVs — the kind of entrance that makes prom night unforgettable before anyone even walks through the door. Compare available party buses and minibuses for prom through the network and lock in your date early. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online tool to get a quote in seconds!
Merced Religious Group Transportation
It just got easier to arrange transportation for your congregation, retreat, or religious group event in Merced! Whether your church, temple, mosque, or faith community is heading to a weekend retreat, a regional conference, or a multi-day pilgrimage across California, Busrentalmerced.com helps you find the right bus from a network of transportation companies serving the Central Valley. Compare 15-passenger minibuses for smaller groups, full-size 56-passenger charter buses for larger congregations, and everything in between — with amenities like reclining seats, climate control, and WiFi to keep your group comfortable on longer journeys.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network too — just mention it when you submit your trip details. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online quote tool to find religious group transportation in Merced today!
Merced School Event Transportation
Booking a school field trip bus in Merced just got a whole lot easier! Busrentalmerced.com helps teachers, administrators, and parent coordinators compare minibuses and charter buses from a network of transportation companies serving Merced and the surrounding Central Valley — so you can match the bus to your exact student-and-chaperone headcount instead of the other way around. Take your class to Applegate Park Zoo (1045 W 25th St, Merced, CA 95340) for a free day of wildlife education, visit Castle Air Museum (5050 Santa Fe Dr, Atwater, CA 95301) for hands-on aviation history, or head to UC Merced (5200 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95343) for a campus tour that inspires your students to think about their future. ADA-accessible buses are available — just mention it when you request your quote.
Call 209-819-5850 or use the online tool to find your field trip bus today!
Merced Sporting Event Transportation
Find exactly what your team or fan group needs for sporting event transportation in Merced through Busrentalmerced.com! Whether you're moving an athletic team to an away game, shuttling fans to a UC Merced Bobcats event at Joe Marchetti Field, or coordinating travel to a bigger game in Fresno or Modesto, one bus keeps your whole group together without the carpool chaos. Full-size charter buses offer undercarriage luggage bays for equipment, duffels, and gear — so athletes can stow everything below and stretch out in reclining seats above.
Fan groups love party buses for the pregame energy: built-in bars, LED lighting, and Bluetooth sound keep the excitement building before the first whistle. Compare available sports transportation options through the network and find your bus in seconds. Call 209-819-5850 to get started!
Merced Wedding Transportation
For easy, stress-free wedding transportation in Merced, Busrentalmerced.com has you covered from rehearsal dinner to last call. Whether you're celebrating at Gateway Gardens Event Center, exchanging vows at Yosemite Lake Resort, or hosting your reception at a venue across the Central Valley, one shuttle bus keeps every guest on your timeline instead of hunting for parking on their own. You can even request white, black, or silver buses to match your wedding colors — just mention it when you fill out your quote.
Compare minibuses for smaller wedding parties and full-size charter buses when the whole guest list is coming along. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online tool to find your wedding transportation today!
Merced Wine Tour & Brewery Transportation
Waiting on a rideshare between tasting rooms is nobody's idea of a good time — and with Busrentalmerced.com, you never have to. The Central Valley wine and craft beer scene has grown fast, and a minibus or party bus keeps your group together from the first pour to the last flight. Explore local spots around Merced, head west toward the Livermore Valley wine country via CA-152, or make a day of it in the Sierra Foothills wine region along CA-49.
You set the stops. You set the timing. And your whole group rides together in a comfortable, climate-controlled bus without anyone worrying about how they're getting home.
Compare available wine tour and brewery buses from transportation companies serving Merced through one quick form. Call 209-819-5850 or use the online quote tool to plan your tasting trip 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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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 Rentals in Merced and All Across California
Let Busrentalmerced.com help you find group transportation across Merced and every nearby city in the Central Valley! Whether you need a charter bus in Atwater, a bus rental in Turlock, transportation in Modesto, or a charter bus in Fresno, the network covers the entire region. Fill out one form to compare vehicles and prices from transportation companies serving Merced and all surrounding communities — from Los Banos and Livingston to Mariposa and beyond!
Have Questions About Your Rental? We're Here to Help!
Frequently Asked Questions About Merced Bus Rentals
Busrentalmerced.com is an advertising and quote comparison website — not a local bus company or motor carrier. It's a website that makes it easy for anyone who needs group transportation to fill out one quick form and compare vehicles, amenities, and prices from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Merced, California and the surrounding region. You don't own an account, you don't pay to browse, and a free quote is always available online or by phone at 209-819-5850.
Transportation is provided by independent operators, and booking is completed through a national booking platform.
Fill out the online quote form with your pickup location, travel date, group size, and trip times — it takes about 30 seconds. Once submitted, you'll land on a results page through a national booking platform showing available vehicles, photos, amenities, and prices from transportation companies serving your area. Compare your options side by side, choose the bus that fits your group and your budget, and book right online.
No account required. If you'd rather talk it through, call 209-819-5850 any time and a live agent will help you find the right package.
Merced County Fairgrounds is a 140-acre complex with large outer lots along Martin Luther King Jr Way and Canal Street that can accommodate oversized vehicles. Drop-off happens at the main entrance gate on Martin Luther King Jr Way; the bus then relocates to the outer lot perimeter after unloading. During the Merced County Fair in mid-June, demand for bus transportation across the region spikes significantly — book well in advance for those dates and confirm your parking assignment early.
For the 2027 fair, your bus can use the free shuttle connection to the main entrance gate on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from the Transportation Center at 16th Street and O Street or the Park and Ride lot at M Street and Bellevue; the shuttles run every 30 minutes from 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., while G Street between Childs Avenue and West 11th Street closes to through traffic during the Fair. The 2027 dates are June 10–14, 2027 — see the official Merced County Fair hours, parking, and shuttle page for the event-day transportation details.
Merced Theatre is a 1931 Art Deco performing arts venue in the heart of downtown Merced. Charter buses drop off curbside on W Main Street directly in front of the marquee entrance. Keep in mind that W Main Street runs one-way westbound in this block, so your approach comes from N R Street or W 3rd Street.
There is no dedicated bus parking at the venue itself — after drop-off, the bus relocates to surface lots on Canal Street or W 3rd Street nearby. Plan your post-show pickup point before the event starts so your group knows exactly where to meet. Check current downtown parking and street information through the City of Merced before your visit.
Applegate Park Zoo is a free municipal zoo inside Applegate Park — one of California's oldest free zoos, open daily from 10am to 5pm. Charter buses and school buses drop off along W 25th Street curbside at the park's main entrance, or at the park's public lot off W 25th Street. There is no dedicated bus-only lot; large vehicles use the main lot entrance or stage on Applegate Drive after unloading.
The zoo is free to enter, which makes it a popular destination for school field trips — a great fit for a 15- to 35-passenger minibus or a full-size charter bus depending on your group size. Contact the City of Merced Parks & Recreation at (209) 385-6840 for group visit coordination.
UC Merced is the newest University of California campus, located about 4 miles northeast of downtown Merced. Charter buses access campus via N Lake Road off Bellevue Road from CA-99. The main drop-off circle near the Kolligian Library and Student Services Building handles passenger unloading — buses should not block the roundabout.
Large vehicles use Parking Lot A near the main campus entry or the Bellevue Road bus staging area; permits are required and must be arranged in advance through UC Merced Parking & Transportation at (209) 228-2576 or [email protected]. Key high-demand dates include commencement in mid-May, orientation in August, and move-in weekend in late August — book your bus and coordinate your parking permit early for those dates. See the UC Merced Transportation page for current access details.
UC Merced's 2027 commencement schedule puts the graduate ceremony on Friday, May 14, 2027, with undergraduate ceremonies on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, 2027; your bus keeps family members together for those three high-demand campus dates. The full dates appear on the UC Merced 2026–2027 academic calendar.
Castle Air Museum sits on the grounds of the former Castle Air Force Base, about 7 miles north of Merced on CA-99 to CA-59. The museum has a large, flat surface lot directly in front of the main entrance on Santa Fe Drive — one of the most bus-friendly parking situations in the region. Charter buses and motorcoaches park in the main lot without needing to relocate far from the entrance, and there is typically ample space for multiple coaches.
Drop-off is curbside at the main entrance; the bus can then pull into the adjacent lot and wait. No advance bus parking permit is required per current published guidance, but calling ahead at (209) 723-2178 is always a good idea for large groups. Confirm current access details on the Castle Air Museum visit page before your trip.
Merced Multicultural Arts Center (645 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340) is operated by the Merced County Arts Council and serves as the region's hub for community arts programming, gallery exhibitions, and cultural events. The venue sits on W Main Street in downtown Merced, about six blocks west of Merced Theatre. Charter buses drop off curbside on W Main Street in front of the building; there is no dedicated bus lot at this location.
After drop-off, the bus stages on W Main Street or relocates to Canal Street surface lots one block north. Metered street parking is available nearby for shorter waits. Coordinate your pickup point with your group before the event so everyone knows where to meet after.
Check current access details through mercedarts.org or call the venue directly at (209) 388-1090.
Book three to six months out for most Merced-area trips to secure the best pricing and the widest vehicle selection. Stretch that to six months or more for the region's highest-demand windows. UC Merced commencement in mid-May and move-in weekend in late August fill the local and regional bus market fast.
Prom season in April and May across Merced, Atwater, Livingston, and surrounding school districts is one of the single busiest stretches of the year — the best party buses and minibuses book out early. The Merced County Fair in mid-June and Yosemite gateway travel from May through September add significant demand across the Central Valley. Waiting until the last minute almost always means fewer options and higher prices.
Call 209-819-5850 right now to lock in your date, or use the online quote tool to see what's available!
You Can Go Wherever You Want!
Get Your Group to These Merced Destinations by Bus
You'll love how easy it is to get your group to Merced's best destinations when a charter bus handles the driving! From the fairgrounds and a free zoo to a UC campus, a world-class aviation museum, and a gateway to Yosemite, the Merced area has more to explore than most visitors expect — and a bus keeps your whole group together for every stop along the way.
Use the previous and next buttons, the left and right arrow keys, or swipe to browse eight destinations.
Merced County Fairgrounds
Merced County Fairgrounds spans approximately 140 acres on the south side of Merced and serves as the region's premier venue for large-scale events year-round. The annual Merced County Fair runs mid-June — five days of rodeos, live concerts, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, and demolition derbies that draw tens of thousands of visitors to the fairgrounds each year. Beyond the fair, the grounds host concerts, swap meets, monster truck shows, and community events throughout the calendar.
Bus drop-off is at the main entrance gate on Martin Luther King Jr Way; oversized vehicle parking is coordinated in the outer lots along Martin Luther King Jr Way and Canal Street on a per-event basis. Call the fairgrounds at (209) 722-1506 to confirm your staging assignment before arrival.
Address: 900 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Merced, CA 95341 Phone: (209) 722-1506
Merced Theatre
Merced Theatre is a beautifully restored 1931 Art Deco landmark in the heart of downtown Merced, seating approximately 750 guests for concerts, comedy shows, film screenings, and community performances. The ornate marquee on W Main Street is one of downtown Merced's most recognizable sights. The theatre books a diverse calendar of touring acts and local productions throughout the year, making it the go-to entertainment destination in the Central Valley for performing arts.
Because W Main Street runs one-way westbound at this location, buses approach from N R Street or W 3rd Street for curbside drop-off directly in front of the marquee. After drop-off, the bus relocates to nearby surface lots on Canal Street. Coordinate your post-show pickup point with your group before the performance begins so everyone exits to the right spot.
Address: 301 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340 Phone: (209) 385-8500
Applegate Park Zoo
Applegate Park Zoo is one of California's oldest free municipal zoos, open daily from 10am to 5pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). Set inside the larger Applegate Park, the zoo is home to a variety of animals and is a beloved destination for school field trips and family outings across the Central Valley. Admission is completely free, which makes it an exceptional value for large groups and student groups on a budget.
The park also features picnic areas, a rose garden, and a playground — great for groups that want to make a full day of it. Charter buses and school buses drop off along W 25th Street at the park's main entrance; large vehicles stage in the main parking lot or along Applegate Drive after unloading. Contact (209) 385-6840 for group visit coordination.
Address: 1045 W 25th St, Merced, CA 95340 Phone: (209) 385-6840
UC Merced
UC Merced opened in 2005 as the newest campus in the University of California system and now enrolls approximately 10,000 students in a growing research university setting northeast of downtown Merced. The campus is a popular destination for prospective student tours, alumni events, academic conferences, and commencement ceremonies held annually in mid-May at Joe Marchetti Field. Charter buses access campus via N Lake Road off Bellevue Road from CA-99, with passenger drop-off at the main circle near the Kolligian Library and Student Services Building.
Bus parking in Lot A or the Bellevue Road staging area requires an advance permit through UC Merced Transportation at (209) 228-2576. Book your bus and coordinate your permit early — commencement and move-in weekends fill the regional bus market fast.
Address: 5200 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95343 Phone: (209) 228-4400
Castle Air Museum
Castle Air Museum is one of California's premier aviation museums, located on the grounds of the former Castle Air Force Base about 7 miles north of Merced. The museum displays more than 70 military aircraft spanning decades of aviation history — from World War II bombers to Cold War-era jets — spread across both outdoor tarmac exhibits and indoor gallery spaces inside original base buildings. Open daily from 9am to 5pm (last admission 4pm), the museum is a fantastic destination for history enthusiasts, veterans' groups, school field trips, and anyone fascinated by military aviation.
The large, flat surface lot on Santa Fe Drive offers some of the most bus-friendly parking in the region — motorcoaches park close to the main entrance without needing to relocate. Call ahead at (209) 723-2178 for group tour arrangements.
Address: 5050 Santa Fe Dr, Atwater, CA 95301 Phone: (209) 723-2178
Merced Multicultural Arts Center
Merced Multicultural Arts Center, operated by the Merced County Arts Council, is the cultural heart of downtown Merced — a community arts hub featuring rotating gallery exhibitions, live performances, arts education programs, and cultural festivals that celebrate the region's rich diversity. The center hosts art openings, workshops, and community events throughout the year, drawing visitors from across the Central Valley. Located on W Main Street six blocks west of Merced Theatre, the arts center is easily combined with a downtown Merced itinerary that includes dining, a performance, and a gallery visit all in one trip.
Charter buses drop off curbside on W Main Street in front of the building; the bus then stages on W Main Street or relocates to Canal Street surface lots one block north. Call the venue directly at (209) 388-1090 for event and group visit details.
Address: 645 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340 Phone: (209) 388-1090
Gateway Gardens Event Center
Gateway Gardens Event Center is one of the Central Valley's most popular private event venues, set on the west side of Merced near CA-99 with beautifully landscaped outdoor garden spaces perfect for weddings, quinceañeras, corporate events, and milestone celebrations. The venue's private on-site parking lot is large enough to accommodate charter buses and minibuses, with drop-off at the main entrance on W Childs Avenue and staging space in the lot perimeter. For wedding groups, a dedicated shuttle bus between hotels along CA-99 and the venue keeps guests on schedule and off the roads after the reception.
The venue's accessibility from CA-99 makes it easy for buses approaching from Fresno, Modesto, or anywhere across the Central Valley. Contact the venue directly to coordinate bus access for your event date.
Address: 4000 W Childs Ave, Merced, CA 95341
Yosemite Lake Resort
Yosemite Lake Resort is a lakeside resort and event venue about 5 miles north of downtown Merced on N Lake Road, offering RV camping, group event facilities, and a scenic setting that makes it a popular choice for family reunions, weddings, and private celebrations. The resort's open grounds provide ample space for charter bus staging, and the N Lake Road approach is accessible for full-size motorcoaches. Beyond the resort itself, Yosemite Lake is also a natural staging point for groups heading to Yosemite National Park — roughly 75 miles east on CA-140 through Mariposa.
Private charter buses do not require an entrance reservation to enter Yosemite in 2026; contact the National Park Service well ahead of your visit to confirm current access requirements. Call the resort at (209) 722-0781 for group event coordination.
Address: 7000 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95340 Phone: (209) 722-0781