Best River Town Near Merced: Waterford, Livingston, Oakdale?, Snelling? (Turlock: school district, camping)

[Fiddlehead]

I know this is a rather obscure request, but I have only been through a few of these towns.
Still in the running for a job in North Merced. I like the idea of being close to the Merced, Tuolumne, or Stanslaus Rivers. I love the oaks and pasures It looks like all three river have great fishing and canoeing opportunities. Need a decent middle school and high school for the sprout.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkanovbo-CU

This looked like a really nice float, if you can excuse the piano muzak. Tuolumne River.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3o_AROaY3w
A little more country, if that is your thing. Stanislaus River.

I know that Oakdale is pretty nice, but a long commute. What about Waterford, Knights Ferry, Hughson, La Grange, etc.?

Or would it just be better to live in Merced or Turlock and save this stuff for weekends?

Weigh in please.

[eccotecc]

Merced if you're a fisherman. Merced also has Lake Yosemite located next to the UC.

[BeauCharles]

I think we've touched on this before. If you have a job in Merced, live in Merced or Atwater (especially since you don't have kids in the school district if I'm remembering correctly). Might as well make it easy on yourself. As far as rivers and fishing goes you can get to numerous spots in the Sierra foothills in less than an hour (Lake McClure, Lake McSwain, Lake Don Pedro, New Melones Reservoir, the Merced River, Lake Yosemite, the Tuolumne River, etc...). If you ever get into white water rafting the Merced River From Cedar Lodge to Briceburg is one of the top places in the country and is only an hour from Merced. Not to mention you can be to Monterey in two hours for ocean fishing and other seaside recreation.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

I think we've touched on this before. If you have a job in Merced, live in Merced or Atwater (especially since you don't have kids in the school district if I'm remembering correctly). Might as well make it easy on yourself. As far as rivers and fishing goes you can get to numerous spots in the Sierra foothills in less than an hour (Lake McClure, Lake McSwain, Lake Don Pedro, New Melones Reservoir, the Merced River, Lake Yosemite, the Tuolumne River, etc...). If you ever get into white water rafting the Merced River From Cedar Lodge to Briceburg is one of the top places in the country and is only an hour from Merced. Not to mention you can be to Monterey in two hours for ocean fishing and other seaside recreation.

I do have kids. That was another guy. I do recall your advice to live in Merced, but I am not sure what GoHawks ended up doing. Mariposa might be better for schools, but my wife might not be able to get work there.

No comments on Waterford? Seems like you really like Oakdale, which seems similar in geography at least.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by eccotecc

Merced if you're a fisherman. Merced also has Lake Yosemite located next to the UC.

Is there actually good fishing in that lake? It looks like a big cattle pond to me. If it's decent, that would be fun. I am not picky generally.

[eccotecc]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Is there actually good fishing in that lake? It looks like a big cattle pond to me. If it's decent, that would be fun. I am not picky generally.

There actually is very good fishing in Lake Yosemite. Like anywhere, a person needs to know where and when. Trout are planted during the winter and the bass fishing is very good.

[BeauCharles]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

I do have kids. That was another guy. I do recall your advice to live in Merced, but I am not sure what GoHawks ended up doing. Mariposa might be better for schools, but my wife might not be able to get work there.

No comments on Waterford? Seems like you really like Oakdale, which seems similar in geography at least.

I do like Oakdale, but its almost an hour from Merced. So's Mariposa. Both have good schools though.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by eccotecc

There actually is very good fishing in Lake Yosemite. Like anywhere, a person needs to know where and when. Trout are planted during the winter and the bass fishing is very good.

Well, that is good to know, it is right next to UC Merced. I wonder how many of the Type A researchers unwind by hurling bass plugs.

We used to do fairly well at an optimistically-named mud puddle called Lake Success near Porterville. We used to joke that the emphasis should be on the first syllable.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

I do like Oakdale, but its almost an hour from Merced. So's Mariposa. Both have good schools though.

So, I take it you are firmly recommending Merced (or Turlock). I did notice I liked Turlock a bit better in terms of appearance, but North Merced has a new Middle School (Cruickshank) and High School (El Capitan) that look pretty modern.

Any recollection of the fog pockets for commutes in that area? Would Turlock to Merced be doable?

[Hawk J]

One of our favorites for fishing & camping is Lake Camanche south shore.


Lake Camanche Recreation

We spent quite a few happy vacations there. We had most of our good luck taking the boat up the channel to the shallows. There are some bigg'uns in there....