Location: Gustine
Top Things to do in Gustine
- 1. San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
- 2. San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery
- 3. San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
- 4. Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center
- 5. Carnegie Arts Center
- 6. Grande Diablo Golf & Country Club
- 7. Merced National Wildlife Refuge
- 8. Castle Air Museum
- 9. California Aqueduct Vista Point
- 10. Stewart and Jasper Co Store
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What to do and see in Gustine, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Gustine is a city in Merced County, California, United States. Gustine is located 29 miles (47 km) west of Merced, at an elevation of 98 feet (30 m). As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 5,520, up from 4,698 at the 2000 census.
Restaurants in Gustine
1. San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian forests, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving population of the endemic tule elk is showcased by one of three auto tour routes. The Refuge is host to significant assemblages of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and plants; some of which, such as the California tiger salamander, the long-horned fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox, are endangered species. The Refuge is a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. Large flocks of green-winged teal, northern shoveler, mallard, gadwall, wigeon, cinnamon teal, northern pintail, ring-necked duck, canvasback, ruddy duck, and snow, Ross’, and white-fronted geese swarm over the mosaic of seasonal and permanent wetlands that comprise a quarter of the Refuge. Waterfowl generally remain until late March before beginning their journey north to breeding areas. However, some mallard, gadwall, and cinnamon teal stay, breed, and raise young on the Refuge.
Reviewed By CTBCalifornia - Groveland, California
Big YES to visit here during winter months when there is ground water and bird life to admire. The Visitor Center is top notch, obviously very well funded, excellent exhibits and hands on learning for kids and adults alike. Several walking trails at different locations in the area, but definitely do the self drive Auto Tour for best bird viewing.
NOTE: For those of you who have never viewed bird life from your vehicle, the recommended speed is 5 to 10 miles per hour MAX, not 25 or 30 like some cars that passed me, bet they didn't see anything while I saw my first ever WOOD DUCKS, so there you go speedy folk!
There is a loop for viewing the Tule Elk herd, and a loop for viewing birds, do them both!
2. San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By SharonAnn42 - Pendleton, Oregon
Last week we had the sad duty to bury my brother, I had never been to a national cemetery before and found it very peaceful even though we were there under stressful situations. the grounds look well maintained and the people who worked there were very respectful of our wishes.
3. San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Backsi - San Jose, California
Went camping at the San Luis Creek Campground. Originally planned to stay two nights but ended up leaving early. The staff was 5 star excellent customer service. The camp host was very accommodating and friendly always willing to help. We bought firewood from them and it worked out great for our needs. The hosts were very active and kept a good handle on trash, restrooms and other maintenance including telling the one group that got a little carried away that they needed to quiet down. Our only resrve and the reason we probably won't go back and the reason we left early was there were too many bugs and it made us uncomfortable. The fishing, beach, walking path, and tons of other amenities were great for the price. We mentioned the bug problem but it was explained that pest control was not an option to maintain the natural environment of that campground. We are fine with bugs living out there in their own environment but we aren't comfortable enough to share it with them in such large groups. This was a little one's first camping trip and they had a wonderful time aside from the bug problem after dark. It would probably be fine for those with older children or teens or those camping in an RV or camper.
4. Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Tour, Taste, Shop and Eat at the world's largest single-site cheese and whey factory making more than 1 million pounds of cheese per day. The Visitor Center features a show and fun, hands-on interactive exhibits, you can even dress like a cheese maker! Watch employees package the “big cheese,” a 640 lb. block of cheese in our viewing area. Call to confirm viewing area and exhibits are open. Free self-guided visitor center tours, guided visitor center tours weekends at 10 am and 11 am. Daily tours in the summer. Please note: it is a window tour; tours do not walk through the facility for security and accessibility reasons. Complimentary cheese and gourmet foods tasting, beautiful gift shop, cafe, coffee, tea and espresso, ice cream and picnic area with walk-through waterfall. Check the website for great activities. Centrally located, just 4 miles from Highway 99.
Reviewed By davemacuser - Vancouver
This place was made for tourists! There was a fancy parking lot with a beautiful walkway including a waterfall that you go walk under and picnic tables in the shade. It was a great place to just walk through!
Once inside there were was a mini tour including how cheese is made and how the factory works. Once inside the actual retail part, there were a ton of cheeses but only a few were actually made at the factory. I bought a small block of garlic jack cheese and I must confirm that it is very tasty cheese.
5. Carnegie Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
The historic Carnegie Library opened in 1916, and following a renovation and expansion project in 2011 is now one of only a handful of professional art centers in the Central Valley region. The Carnegie's programs include museum-quality art exhibitions, educational classes and programs, lectures, and activities in artistic genres as diverse as dance, music, theater and more. At least 25% of all programming is dedicated to children and teens. operated by the Carnegie Arts Center Foundation, the center is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
Reviewed By TravelFamily2015 - San Carlos, California
During a weekend getaway to California's Central Valley to explore small towns and their museums, we stopped at the Carnegie Arts Center. Located just a few blocks from downtown Turlock, the museum features two floors of rotating exhibits. It is open most Wednesdays through Sundays and admission varies for each exhibit. When we visited, it was only $5 per person.
When we were first visiting the museum in March, there were 2 exhibits. The first one, titled "Valley Grown," showcased the work of John Karl Claes, Alexander Cheves, and Jody Sears Barbuta. There was a wide variety of media, ranging from sculptures to oil paintings, and we enjoyed all the art. Each piece explored elements of the Central Valley "experience," from the agricultural landscape to small, quaint towns in rural America. We visited on a Sunday morning and were the only people viewing the exhibit, which added to the serenity of the art-viewing experience.
In the second exhibit, "The Rebirth of the Muse," artists explored what inspired them, thus creating varying styles of art. We liked the art and particularly enjoyed reading the artists' statements to understand what the images in the art symbolized. Two months later, we called to purchase a piece of art that we had seen in this exhibit and drove back out to Turlock to pick it up.
We looked through the new exhibit that we hadn't seen during our first visit. The exhibit, the Central California Art Showcase, displays 162 juried entries, which are split evenly between the Carnegie Arts Center and the Mistlin Gallery in Modesto. Visitors can vote for which piece they like the best, which we liked participating in. There are photographs of nature and objects found in cities, sculptures, and paintings, and we enjoyed seeing such an assortment of art. The exhibit runs through Friday, June 2.
Overall, we really enjoyed visiting the Carnegie Arts Center and its interesting exhibits. The galleries are relatively quiet, you can interact with the art, and many of the pieces are for sale at a very reasonable price. If you are ever visiting downtown Turlock or the surrounding area, be sure to stop by the Carnegie Arts Center!
6. Grande Diablo Golf & Country Club
Overall Ratings
4 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By jkanters - Elsinore, Denmark
Very friendly staff. My buddy was overbooked with his flight from europe and arrived 44h late. No problems to change tee-times shortly before playing. The course was nice and still difficult. Not many players so we could use the time we wanted. Good offer for play want you want through the day. Restaurant served a good avocado bacon burger. Played there two days. Will be back if Im in the area
7. Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By 0garibaldi0
I've been seeing more visitors lately and bad behavior. There are numerous posted signs indicating where not to stray and people flagrantly ignore them. I observed photographers willfully walking into flocks sitting on the banks of a pond, even running at them. It's unbelievable that at a wildlife REFUGE people lack the decency to respect the safety of these animals.
The point of an auto tour route is that the car acts as a "blind" so the animals don't get spooked. You're not supposed get out, walk around on the road and plant your tripod in the middle, blocking cars from getting through. I even saw someone doing a fashion shoot with a woman walking in the middle of the field where the snow geese feed. I never see anyone policing the area and I fear that this is going to get progressively worse.
People, please respect the wildlife! The rules are there for a reason.
8. Castle Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By John R - Carlsbad, CA
What a great way to spend an afternoon walking for at least 1-2 miles around so many incredible airplanes of the past including an original Air Force 1. They have an inside airconditioned spot to with so much memorabilia. Fun to also walk thru the gift shop and have some good food too. This is a real treat for Airplane buffs and more. Ask for Janie Sundgren for great history background too.
9. California Aqueduct Vista Point
Overall Ratings
3 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Sergei E - Penza, Russia
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10. Stewart and Jasper Co Store
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Miriam S
I love to taste the wide range of flavored almonds at the attractive Stewart & Jasper Co Store. Flavors range from savory, to spicy to sweet; from traditional to exotic. The small shop is bursting with flavor. The Patterson location also has wine tastings, and when I was there the wine tasting area was full of happy customers.
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