Welcome to Turlock
The perfect blend of college town and quiet country lifestyle
The second largest city in Stanislaus County, Turlock offers rich cultural experiences, abundant green spaces, sports activities, and a thriving economy centered on education, healthcare, and agriculture. Boasting a business-friendly climate, Turlock has also seen a surge in the biotech industry lately as Silicon Valley start-ups look for areas of expansion.
Pedestrian-friendly downtown Turlock is historic and charming. You’ll find independent bookstores, art galleries, vintage shops, and unique clothing stores. Restaurants range from mom-and-pop bakeries and small cafés to trendy bars and fine dining spots. There are also plenty of recreational activities, holiday traditions, and community events for everyone to enjoy. The suburbs are quieter, with spacious single-family homes in residential neighborhoods. On the outskirts, Turlock becomes more rural, surrounded by farmland.
What to Love
- A growing economy due to expanding healthcare and biotech industries
- Downtown’s pedestrian shopping district
- Numerous and diverse dining options
- Quiet neighborhoods surrounded by scenic farm country
Local Lifestyle
Home to the California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock definitely has college-town vibes, especially around the University area and Greer Road downtown. The rest of downtown is always bustling with shoppers, diners, and students. The suburbs are quieter, and residents are friendly and welcoming. It’s a perfect balance of the university’s liberal arts environment and the rural, country lifestyle of the surrounding areas.
Dining, Shopping & Entertainment
Turlock boasts a diverse food scene, with many restaurants taking advantage of the abundance of fresh produce from local farmers and ranchers. For modern California fare, 10 East Kitchen and Tap House specializes in comfort food, such as chicken and waffles, truffle macaroni and cheese, and surf and turf burgers. They have a great selection of wine and craft beers, and the outdoor patio is perfect for casual get-togethers.
Arguably the best Italian restaurant in Turlock, Villa Napoli Restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes in an upscale yet cozy setting. Classic dishes like eggplant parmigiana and fettuccini alla bolognese are served in hearty portions and can be customized with meat, chicken, or shrimp. The wooden wine rack behind the bar displays vintage bottles that pair perfectly with dinner.
Further up on Greer Road, Table 26 serves elevated American pub fare, such as wings, calamari, and pork chops. They also offer veggie-centric dishes, including grilled artichokes and farmers’ market salad. Pair your meal with a glass of wine or a signature cocktail from their full-service bar.
Another local favorite, Memo’s Cocina & Tequila Bar, adds a modern twist to Mexican cuisine. Mouthwatering dishes like pork carnitas and pollo chimichurri are made with locally-sourced meat and produce. Weekend brunch comes with fruit-infused mimosas, with over 100 kinds of tequila and mezcal at the bar.
For the brewery scene, Dust Bowl Brewery offers an extensive portfolio of craft beers. This location is their flagship and boasts the largest taproom. They have a full-service restaurant and a beer garden with picnic-style seating and plenty of games.
For shopping, Monte Vista Crossings Shopping Center is one of Central Valley’s premier shopping destinations, where you’ll find popular clothing brands, chain restaurants, and numerous services.
Things to Do
Turlock has over 20 parks and two large sports fields. Donnelly Park is a 10-acre community park with a lake, skate park, and picnic areas. Avid hikers can head to Tuolumne River Regional Park, a 500-acre urban park featuring a network of nature trails, including the seven-mile RiverWalk Trail.
As one of the oldest country clubs in the Central Valley, Turlock Golf and Country Club features an 18-hole championship course, a driving range, and two putting greens. They offer six types of membership and are available for weddings and event rentals as well.
Tsymbal Winery offers wine tasting and charcuterie boards on its onsite honey farm. They source organic products, and their Golden Comb store has numerous types of flavored honey for sale.
Fun for groups and families, Ten Pin Fun Center features 34 bowling lanes, a restaurant, three bars, and over 60 arcade games to enjoy.
On Saturdays, the Turlock Certified Farmers’ Market has a variety of local vendors selling fresh produce, specialty foods, baked goods, and other artisanal products. They operate from May to October and usually close for the winter.
Schools
Turlock is home to some excellent schools and institutions of higher education.
