Excell Center in Turlock, CA

Pros

• They had a great experience there and wouldn't trade it for anything.
• They have fond memories and learned a lot there.
• Chris and Opal ran things there, which they appreciated.
• The staff were great, and the Excel center team was valued.
• They loved that place and the staff.
• It was the best experience of their childhood.
• Smith House was the best house.

Cons

• The place sucked.
• Staff let fights happen and did nothing to stop them.
• The property was unkept and looked run down.
• Neighbors always tried to start fights and staff allowed bullying.
• The place felt criminal.
• The experience was very nasty.

Review

Excell Center in Turlock, CA, is best suited for families seeking a long-established, structured group-home environment for youths who need daily living skills, behavioral support, and steady, relationship-based care. The model relies on small houses, predictable routines, and caregivers who can sustain consistent guidance over years. When operating well, the staff's continuity creates meaningful connections, opportunities for personal growth, and a sense of belonging that some residents carry into adulthood. The appeal here is not glossy luxury but a lived-in, community-oriented setting where residents can learn responsibility and accountability under steady supervision.

However, this is not a fit for families prioritizing pristine facilities or pristine safety nets. If the resident is an older adult seeking assisted living with modern amenities, predictable housekeeping, and rigorous safety protocols, alternatives should be explored. Likewise, concerns about safety and consistency - pocketed by reports of fights, bullying, and staff variability - should prompt a careful comparison with other options that emphasize proactive intervention, strong oversight, and up-to-date maintenance.

Pros include dedicated staff in certain eras who are remembered as capable and caring, with residents often expressing gratitude for those who guided them. The environment offers tangible positives: learning experiences, the presence of animals, and a sense of home that residents remember fondly, including specific houses that were favorites. When the team is cohesive, residents report stable routines, opportunities to develop life-skills, and a supportive network that can feel like a community of chosen family.

Cons recur in some reviews: uneven property upkeep that leaves parts of the campus looking worn, and, more seriously, episodes where fights occurred or bullying went unchecked, undermining safety and trust. Reports of staff not intervening or letting problematic behavior persist create real risk for vulnerable youths. A subset of former residents describe experiences as negative or even criminal, which underscores the importance of current management, supervision, and a culture of accountability.

The key pros can offset the cons only when leadership maintains consistency, safety, and cleanliness. The staff relationships, learning opportunities, and the sense of community matter most when physical conditions and safety standards meet expectation. If maintenance lapses or safety concerns recur, the positives lose their traction. Prospective families should probe current conditions: staff-to-resident ratios, turnover rates, bullying prevention policies, and a clear plan for repairs and upkeep; ask to visit multiple houses and speak with current residents about day-to-day life.

Bottom line: Excell Center can be a strong match for families who want a long-standing, relationship-driven setting where youths can grow under committed staff and with animal-assisted interaction and a tight-knit house culture. It is not the choice for those who require consistent safety culture, modern facilities, and consistently clean, well-maintained environments. Those in the market for a safer, more predictable assisted-living experience for an older adult or for families intolerant of variability should evaluate alternatives with the same rigor, including visiting personally, assessing maintenance schedules, and asking for references. A careful, in-person assessment will reveal whether this community can deliver the balance of connection and care that fits the resident's goals.

Restaurants

• Jack In The Box (1.5 miles)
• First And Main (2.1 miles)
• Memo's Cocina & Tequila Bar (2.1 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2.1 miles)
• Taqueria Hidalgo (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (4.2 miles)
• The Sweet Life (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (7.4 miles)
• Starbucks (12.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Save Mart Supermarkets (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• Tower Compounding Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Boies Medical Center Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Cesar Acosta DMD, Family Dentistry (2.4 miles)
• Central Valley Cardiovascular (2.8 miles)
• Obgyn Associates of Turlock (2.9 miles)
• Turlock Medical Office (2.9 miles)
• Turlock Imaging Services (3 miles)
• Iraj Sabahi (3 miles)
• Stanford Emanuel Radiation Oncology Center (3.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Mark One Corporation (2.5 miles)
• Northern California Surgery Center (4.3 miles)
• Frisancho, Miguel A DDS (12.4 miles)

Parks

• Donnelly Park (3.2 miles)
• Communty Center Park (4.3 miles)
• Four Seasons Park (4.7 miles)
• Memory Lane Pergola (4.8 miles)
• McConnell State Recreation Area (7.2 miles)
• Hagaman Park (7.6 miles)
• Parks & Recreation Department (11.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Turlock (3.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Rosary Catholic Church (4.4 miles)
• Pentecostal Church of God (12.7 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (13.5 miles)