PRESS & MEDIA
Historic Boutique Hotels That Make Highway 99 a Destination All Its Own
- The original El Capitan hotel was built in 1872 on 16th and N Street, but it was torn down to make way for a new railroad station in 1900 and rebuilt at its current location on Main and M Streets in 1912. The new El Capitan, which opened in 2021, incorporates new construction and a historically preserved annex wing reconstructed in 1936 following a fire...
Merced is getting a second Roaring ’20s as Bay Area travelers head east
Designed by architect Edward T. Foulkes, whose resume includes the grand Oakland Tribune office tower in downtown Oakland, El Capitan was a favorite in the 1920s of Mary Pickford, America’s sweetheart of the silent film era, and her husband, Douglas Fairbanks. Originally built in 1872, El Capitan was scooped up by the Austin-based hotel group New Waterloo this year...
Hey, Weekend: Merced—gateway to Yosemite
Much of the buzz surrounding Merced is squarely focused on the renovated El Capitan Hotel and its signature eatery Rainbird. The beautiful melding of a lovingly restored, historic hotel and modern addition, the El Capitan now boasts 114 rooms, including 12 suites. The rooms pay homage to nearby star attraction Yosemite with camp-chic style, earthy tones and local charm...
