Planada is an agricultural community between Fresno and Modesto
Planada in northern California's Central Valley is halfway between Fresno and Modesto, which are separated by about 100 miles. "It's just a small, little community. They have pumpkin patches, a nursery. Most of the people are farmworkers, ranchers; there's definitely a lot in agriculture," says Katrina Sousa, a Realtor with PMZ Real Estate. The population is about 3,500, according to U.S. Census estimates. Part of northeast Merced County, Planada is about 7 miles west of the Mariposa County line and 9 miles east of the city of Merced, the area hub and home to about 94,000 people.
The winning entry in a renaming contest was Planada
Planada was previously named Whitton by railroad officials, then Geneva at the behest of dairy farmers of Swiss extraction. It took on its current identity after a naming contest in 1911. In Spanish, planada means plain, as in flat grasslands. As Planada became more well-known, it was sometimes called the City Beautiful, the City of Destiny and the Cream of California.
Popularity may have peaked around 1912, when roughly 10,000 people came to town for Planada's first anniversary. Eventually, the development plans of the era stalled, and Investments dried up. These days, Planada remains a sleepy, rural town.
From ranch-style homes to contemporaries, plus some large lots
There are few properties on the market at a time in Planada. The average home value is about $300,000, and some homes are on lots of an acre or more. Four homes had sold over a year as of July 2025, ranging from $270,000 for a 1970s ranch-style home to $480,000 for a 2020s contemporary with an attached multicar garage. Customization includes Spanish-inspired elements like stucco walls and red tile roofing.
Planada is at high risk for floods and suffered extensive damage in 2023, though the community is recovering.
Planada20M is a program distributing $20 million for flood recovery
A powerful storm and a related levee break caused a severe flood in January 2023. It is estimated that more than 80% of residents were impacted economically. According to a survey by the University of California, Merced, about half of Planada properties are rentals. UC Merced also evaluated rent increases and threats of eviction, which were unlawful in a federally designated disaster area. In 2024, the county approved a spending plan for $20 million in recovery funds for affected residents. The county undertook community outreach under the project name Planada20M, and funds distribution continued as of 2025.
Neighbors gather for recreation and community events
Houlihan Park was renovated in 2022, with upgrades including a splash pad, a performing arts stage, exercise equipment and a lighted basketball court. Events at the park include Planada Community Day in May, featuring a parade, musical entertainment and deep-pit barbecue. There's a Trunk or Treat and costume contest in October and a Christmas tree lighting.
Next to the park, the Planada Community Center hosts community meetings and programming, such as educational presentations, arts and crafts and senior brown-bag luncheons.
Markets, a bakery, a Mexican restaurant, but much more in Merced
There's limited shopping and dining in Planada, though Mercado Latino and Broadway Market are two options for grocery items. There's also a Dollar General. El Gallito Bakery has donuts and pan dulce, or Mexican sweet bread. Special holiday breads include pan de muerto for the Day of the Dead, and rosca de reyes for Three Kings Day. Sousa recommends Carnitas Barajas: "It's a really good Mexican restaurant, a mom-and-pop shop." In addition to tacos, burgers are on the menu.
Le Grand, about 6 miles southeast, doesn't have many more businesses than Planada, so people are more likely to go to Merced. Stops on state Route 140 on the way to Merced include Vista Ranch, a historical ranch-turned-vineyard with a tasting room. The Ranch's Vista Nights live music series is held seasonally. The Merced Fruit Barn, which has a café, is also on SR-140. Merced has a downtown business district with shops and restaurants, and the Marketplace at Merced, previously named Merced Mall.
Schools like Planada Elementary, Chavez Middle and Le Grand High
Kids may attend Planada Elementary School and Cesar E. Chavez Middle School, which earn C grades from Niche. The dual language immersion program starts at Planada Elementary, with about 90 percent of instruction time in Spanish and incremental increases in English. The Chavez class of 2026 is anticipated to have the first students graduating with a seal of biliteracy. Le Grand High School, about 7 miles away, receives a B.
Many people drive, but there's also the Planada Commuter bus
The community is car-dependent, and most people drive. State Route 140, also known as the Central Yosemite Highway, goes through north Planada. Other thoroughfares include Plainsburg Road and East Childs Avenue, which intersect. Merced's Regional Transit System, named The Bus, runs the Planada Commuter, which offers fixed route and on-demand stops in Merced, Planada and Le Grand.
The Golden Valley Health Centers operate offices in Planada, and in Merced, there's the Dignity Health - Mercy Medical Center. The Merced Yosemite Regional Airport offers passenger flights to Los Angeles and Las Vegas via Advanced Air.
Written By
Robin Silberman
