Turlock, California, is the second largest city in Stanislaus County and is located in the heart of California’s Central Valley region. Nearby cities in this corner of California include Modesto, Livingston, and Ceres.It is believed the name “Turlock” originated from the Gaelic word “Turlough,” the name of a village in Ireland as found in James Payn’s story, “Bred in the Bone.” The city was founded in 1871 and was largely known for its grain farming and ranching.