Merced to Glendale train

Merced is a beautiful city in the Central Valley of California. Nicknamed the Gateway to Yosemite, it’s no shock to learn Merced is only about an hour and a half drive from Yosemite National Park. But if you’d prefer to stay in town, Merced has an abundance of gorgeous parks, winding bike routes, golf courses, hiking, boating, fishing, camping – the list goes on.

For indoor fun, check out the Merced Multicultural Art Centre for art viewing and classes. Or, if you’re on the hunt for a bargain or home decor, visit the Merced Antique Mall with 7500 square feet of antiques and curios. Once you’ve worked up an appetite perusing, head to the Hilmar Cheese Company to tour the factory, watch the packaging process, and, the best part, eat all the free samples. To make it a full charcuterie meal, visit the Merced Fruit Barn. As a sort of farmer’s market, the Fruit Barn has arguably the best fresh and dried fruit in the state and a deli on-site for any and all sandwich needs.

The nearest major airport is Merced Regional Airport. Amtrak has routes through the city to Seattle, Yosemite Valley, and San Francisco, and Greyhound connects LA to Merced.

Glendale is a city located in the suburb of Los Angeles and bustles with hiking trails, outdoor areas, and rich history. History and art lovers can check out the Museum of Neon Art, which has a unique selection of light-based electric art and vintage neon signs. A more traditional option is the 19th-century Doctor's House Museum and Gazebo. Go hiking in the popular Brand Park or Deukmejian Wilderness Park, located at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. You can also do your best to view a picturesque scene from the top of the Verdugo Mountains. The city is known for Brand Boulevard, a road packed with different retailers, local stores, arts, and entertainment centers.

Nightlife in Glendale starts in the downtown area, which isn't far from Brand Boulevard. After exploring restaurants and shops during the day, you can visit their bars, breweries, distilleries, and nightclubs at night. The city is always bustling with beer festivals like Corks & Hops, art and craft fairs like the Fermont Festival of the Arts, antique collectibles shows, food festivals like the Soul Food Cookout, and music events.

The train is the easiest way to get there if you're visiting Glendale. Over 150 cities provide trains going to this city, most of them from Amtrak. It is only accessible via two bus routes from Amtrak Thruway. The LZTC is the main transportation hub for Glendale, and other systems use this as a layover or transfer point.