http://www.ucmerced.edu/about-uc-merced The 10th campus in the prestigious University of California system, UC Merced is diverse, growing and committed to those ideals that serve the state, nation and world through research, education and public service. The University UC Merced is the first new American research university built in the 21st century, with a mission of research, teaching and service. The campus opened Sept. 5, 2005, in the San Joaquin Valley. The university is about an hour north of Fresno, two hours south of Sacramento, two hours southeast of San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, and 90 minutes west of Yosemite National Park.