Legal & Transparency
Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Visit Merced, a project of the Merced Tourism Improvement District (MTID), collects, uses, and protects information when you visit visitmerced.org. We want to be straightforward about what we do — and what we don't do — with your information.
1. Who We Are
Visit Merced is the official tourism website for Merced, California, operated by the Merced Tourism Improvement District. Our mailing address is:
Merced Tourism Improvement District678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
info@visitmerced.org
2. Information We Collect
We only collect information in a few ways:
a. Information You Give Us
If you fill out a contact form on our website, we receive the information you submit — typically your name, email address, and any message you write. We use this only to respond to your inquiry.
b. Information Collected Automatically
Like most websites, our server and analytics tools automatically collect basic information when you visit, including:
- Your IP address (anonymized where possible)
- Browser type and version
- Pages you visit and how long you stay
- The website that referred you here
- Device type (desktop, phone, tablet)
This data is used in aggregate to understand how people use our site and to improve it. We do not use it to identify individuals.
c. Cookies
Our website uses cookies — small text files stored in your browser. These help the site function properly and let us understand traffic patterns. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not work as intended if you do.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Respond to messages submitted through our contact form
- Understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it
- Monitor and maintain the security and performance of the website
- Send you our newsletter if you have chosen to subscribe (see below)
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party.
Email Newsletter
We offer an optional email newsletter to keep you informed about upcoming events, travel inspiration, and Visit Merced news. Signing up is entirely voluntary — we will only add you to our list if you actively opt in.
Newsletter emails are sent for promotional purposes only. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email we send, or by contacting us directly at info@visitmerced.org. We will process your opt-out promptly.
4. Third-Party Tools & Services
We use a few third-party tools to run and improve the site:
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google Analytics collects anonymized data about your visit. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Social Media
Our site links to our Instagram and Facebook pages. If you click those links, you leave our site and are subject to those platforms' own privacy policies.
Embedded Content
Some pages may include embedded content from third-party sources (such as maps or videos). These services may collect data about you according to their own privacy policies.
5. Data Sharing & Disclosure
We do not sell or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:
- Service providers: We use trusted vendors (hosting, analytics, contact form tools) who are only given access to the data they need to perform their services.
- Legal requirements: If required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our organization or the public, we may disclose information to the appropriate authorities.
6. Data Retention
We retain contact form submissions only as long as needed to respond to your inquiry and maintain reasonable records. Analytics data is retained according to Google Analytics' standard retention settings. We do not store payment information — visitmerced.org does not process any transactions.
7. Your Rights
If you have submitted information to us and would like to access, correct, or request deletion of that information, please contact us at info@visitmerced.org. We will respond within a reasonable time.
California residents may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Because we do not sell personal data, most CCPA provisions do not apply — but you are welcome to reach out with any questions.
8. Children's Privacy
Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will delete it promptly.
9. Links to Other Websites
Our website contains links to third-party websites — such as hotels, attractions, restaurants, and local businesses. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any site you visit.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this page periodically. Continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please reach out:
Visit Merced / Merced Tourism Improvement District678 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340
info@visitmerced.org