As a passerby driving up along Highway 99, the town of Turlock looks just like any other central valley farming settlement. As a resident, however, I’ve found that growing up in this place has given me an opportunity to be conveniently located just a couple hours away from the snow, the beach, and the bay area. In my opinion, Turlock epitomizes the ideal Californian lifestyle, where one could go skiing one day, head out to the beach and surf the next, and trek back home to enjoy the freshest agriculture imaginable. As the months pass by and graduation rolls on nearer, I’ve begun to realize that I’ll be leaving this well-located home along with all of its perks far behind me.

  I’ve been living in this town since third grade, and the difference between Turlock then and Turlock now is phenomenal. There’s more buildings, houses, hangout spots, restaurants, farms, and really just more of everything. This town is such an ideal location to grow up in because pretty much everything is a simple bike ride away, or even a short drive. It’s never too cold here in the winter and never too hot in the summer.

  During the winter, skiing, snowboarding, and sledding are all only about a two hour drive away. I’ll wake up early in the morning and head up to Dodge Ridge for the whole day, ski, and be back in time for dinner. The spring offers some really great walks through orchards, with the blooming flowers on almond trees. My favorite season, however, is summer. Turlock has great roads and paths both through town and out into the countryside for long bike rides. Also, it’s really easy to take a day trip to the beach, with Carmel and Monterey only two-and-a-half hours away, and Pismo just a little longer than that.

  In Turlock, there are always fresh fruits and vegetables, a bragging right not many towns can own up to. The culture of food is also wide spread, ranging from upscale restaurants to the infamous line of Taco Trucks.

  Turlock has provided a place for me to call home, and a memory I can fervently recall back to, in the years to come. But mostly, I will miss Leanna.