CDP
South Dos Palos
South Dos Palos is a community name the Census tracks. It helps you name the place, but it usually is not city hall. Start with the county layer unless an official local district says otherwise.
Starting point
Start with the county unless an official district says otherwise.
A Census-designated place is a useful local name, but it usually does not have its own city hall. For permits, records, taxes, courts, and many services, begin with the county layer.
Special districts, utilities, schools, fire agencies, parks, water agencies, coastal rules, and state maps can still control a specific issue.
2025 population
Not available
Land area
1.538 sq mi
Water area
0 sq mi
Directory notes
Local layers to keep on the same page.
Treat this as a community name.
A CDP can be real and useful on the ground, but it normally does not mean there is a city hall for permits, rent rules, business licenses, or local code.
Start with the county.
Merced County is the county layer shown in the Census place-county reference data.
Watch for districts.
Water, sewer, fire, school, parks, utilities, coast, wildfire, and special taxes can still belong to a district or state agency.
County layer
County shown for South Dos Palos
Practical notes
Office, map, permit, and paperwork notes for South Dos Palos
County layer · Cars and driving · Reviewed July 6, 2026
Merced riders should know The Bus route map
The Bus gives Merced County a fixed-route and paratransit system, with Merced, Atwater, Los Banos, and intercity route groups listed together.
County layer · Home and property · Reviewed July 4, 2026
Los Banos street reports ask for the nearest cross street
Los Banos has a street issue form for problems like illegal dumping, potholes, and streetlights, and the form works best with a cross street or pole detail.
County layer · Home and property · Reviewed July 4, 2026
Merced refuse questions start with city limits
Merced Refuse handles solid waste collection inside city limits, including residential and commercial service, street sweeping, leaf collection, alley cleanup, tire amnesty, and bulky drop-off.
County layer · Home and property · Reviewed July 4, 2026
Merced utility and street questions still use phone lanes
Merced's important-number page separates billing, water, sewer, storm drains, street maintenance, refuse, trees, signals, and other Public Works questions by phone line.
County layer · Rules and licenses · Reviewed July 3, 2026
Merced Civic Access handles permits and licenses
Merced Civic Access handles permit, planning, and business license applications, with tools for fees, contractors, permits, inspections, and project status.
County layer · History and culture · Reviewed July 2, 2026
Gustine's name and museum point back to Henry Miller country
Gustine grew from railroad, dairy, and Henry Miller ranch land, with the Gustine Museum keeping early town, courthouse, jail, and farm-country history together.
Almanac notes
Stories and local context near South Dos Palos
County layer · Outdoors
Applegate Park Zoo gives Merced a small rescue-animal stop
Merced Applegate Zoo sits inside Applegate Community Park and focuses on animals that need care, including California native species from wildlife rescue situations.
County layer · History and culture
Dos Palos has a name story locals still care about
Dos Palos traces its name to two trees, then to a farm colony, a nearby Colony Center, and a local pronunciation that lasted for generations.
County layer · History and culture
Livingston turns sweet potato harvest into a family weekend
Livingston's Sweet Potato Festival gives the Merced County farm town a harvest-centered tradition with food, family events, and local pride.
County layer · History and culture
Castle Air Museum keeps Atwater's air-base story visible
Castle Air Museum gives Atwater a big aviation-history stop, with historic aircraft on original Castle Air Force Base ground.
County layer · Outdoors
San Luis Reservoir is both a park day and a water-project clue
Near Los Banos, San Luis Reservoir is a state recreation area and a major offstream reservoir tied to California's water system.
County layer · Outdoors
Merced National Wildlife Refuge makes wetlands easy to see by car
Merced National Wildlife Refuge has wetlands, grasslands, vernal pools, riparian areas, a five-mile auto tour route, nature trails, cranes, and geese on the Pacific Flyway.
County layer · Outdoors
San Luis Refuge lets Merced County slow down for wildlife
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge has auto tour routes for wetland views, winter birds, tule elk, and quiet wildlife watching.