Quick trip to Atwater/Merced, would like info please (Fresno: where to stay, hotels)

[mbmouse]

Hello CA!
Hubby has to take a week trip to Atwater CA Jan 26th-30th and I get to go with him on this one, really looking forward to a little break. We have never been there. He has been to CA before in the LA and Santa Monica areas before for work, but not in the central valley area. I have never been to CA, Arizona is the furthest west I have been. I have a friend in Sacramento that I will be visiting some of the time while he is working.
We are not sure where to stay, what the area is like safety wise nor climate wise. Would really appreciate any insight anyone would be willing to share.
I have done the obligatory search on here for Merced and Atwater. Found nothing on Atwater and some concerning posts about Merced so a bit confused at the moment. My friend says she doesn't know much about the area, never had a reason to be there. So I am here in the CA forum from TN hoping for some info.
We need to make hotel reservations in the next few days and I am not sure where to get one and which ones are good. So far we are looking at the Ramada right off 99 in Merced. From the pictures on their site it looks nice even though it has the doors to the outside (I personally prefer a hotel with inside corridors, not sure why, but I do. ) and well, you know how hotel pictures are sometimes . Is it nice and in a nice area? Safe? The only other one I see that looks nice is the Court Yard Marriott in Merced but a bit on the high side of the company budget for hotels. We need to stay under $125 a night.
I didn't see any hotels listed for Atwater...did I miss them? We need to stay as close to Atwater for him getting to the plant in the AM, but willing to have a 20 minute or so commute (prefer less than 30 minutes) if it means safety and clean! Is Merced the right place to be looking? Suggestions for somewhere else?
Also, what is there to do in the area for a wife with time on her hands during the day? Are there shopping malls or parks or anything near by? How about evening activities? Movie theaters or museums that are open after 5:00pm? We are not night club types but do enjoy a decent restaurant with good atmosphere. Any suggestions?
I know we are coming from N.E. TN which maybe a whole different atmosphere, meaning here I could leave my car unlocked, windows down, go into a store, come back out an hour later and have a 99.9% chance of the car being just like it was when I went in including the wallet sitting on the seat. Yea, I know, Merced area will not be like that, more like the 11 years I spent in S.E. FL so no stranger to standard safety protocol, but is Merced a typically safe area? How about Atwater?
So, in this long winded post (sorry!) what I am asking for is: Where is the best, safe and clean hotel to stay in and what should I "not miss" while there?
Oh, and I LOVE wineries and casino's, so if anyone knows of some close by, please let me know.
Thanks in advance for any advice and info for our little trip.

[humboldtrat]

Merced is a city in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, which is just about all agriculture. There isn't much to do or see there. Most of the chain hotels are along Hwy 99 (a freeway) along with chain restaurants nearby. There is a mall Merced Mall and I'm sure there are a couple of movie theaters. Since much of the area is agriculture, there are a couple of wineries including E.&J. Gallo Winery (not sure if they have tours) in the area. The nearest casino would be about 40+ miles away.

[humboldtrat]

Also, Yosemite Nat. Park is about an hour away to the east and worth a visit

[Luke9686]

I second Yosemite. I heard this time of year is a beautiful time to see it.

[mbmouse]

Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate you! Yes, I do plan to go by Yosemite for sure.
Any thoughts on that Ramada Inn?
I am assuming by everyone calling it an agricultural area, that it is primarily a safe area?
Casino...40 plus miles...where is that you are referring too? 40 miles isn't bad.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

Casino...40 plus miles...where is that you are referring too? 40 miles isn't bad.

Welcome to Black Oak Casino north of Merced and Mapquest says it's 60 miles or
www.chukchansigold.com east of Merced and Mapquest says it's also 60 miles (sorry about that, I'm not good at estimating things .) Both are in the Sierra foothills. I've been to both and they're very nice. Have never tried the restaurants in either one

Merced seems to be reasonably safe. It does a have a large Hispanic (farm labor) population.

You're probably not interested in airplanes but there is a air museum near Atwater at an old air force base www.elite.net/castle-air.

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

Welcome to Black Oak Casino north of Merced and Mapquest says it's 60 miles or
www.chukchansigold.com east of Merced and Mapquest says it's also 60 miles (sorry about that, I'm not good at estimating things .) Both are in the Sierra foothills. I've been to both and they're very nice. Have never tried the restaurants in either one

Merced seems to be reasonably safe. It does a have a large Hispanic (farm labor) population.

You're probably not interested in airplanes but there is a air museum near Atwater at an old air force base .: Castle Air Museum - Atwater, California :..

Thank you! Great info, I will check out those casinos......60 miles isn't too bad if hubby gets off early one of those days, we may head to one of those.
Yes, hubby LOVES planes but unfortunately, they are only open until 5:00 and he will be working until at least then every night we are there.
He is kind of bummed he won't be able to go there.

[phloxy]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

Also, Yosemite Nat. Park is about an hour away to the east and worth a visit

A third on Yosemite. I just came home after spending about 2 weeks there over the holidays. The valley was absolutely spectacular. It's not to be missed if you're in the area.

[MtnSurfer]

I drive thru Merced and Los Banos on the way to Yosemite. Merced is not the kind of place I would want to stay for anything other than a very short stay. It just seems run down, a step down from Los Banos in terms of curb appeal and sense of seediness. I am sure there is a decent hotel here or there, but it is definately not a destination location. However it is probably not too bad for a few night stay. Just keep an eye on your valuables and avoid long night strolls down shabby streets.

Just my 2c in pasing thru. I avoid stopping unless I need gas. Maybe someone from there will have a different outlook on things.

Yosemite is a must see!

Derek

[rkb0305]

There isn't much to do or see in Merced. Definitely see Yosemite. I don't know about the Ramada Inn. DO NOT leave your car unlocked! The area is not without crime. Atwater has an airplane museum at the former Castle Air Force Base. That would kill half a day for you. Fresno is an hour south of Merced and has the newly renovated Metropolitan Museum, Fresno Art Museum, and better shopping than Atwater or Merced (Fashion Fair Mall, River Park).