Merced is an affordable, walkable Central Valley base anchored by UC Merced, with a budding arts and food scene, riverfront parks, weekly farmers markets and straightforward clinical commutes—comfortable and actually interesting for multi-week contracts.
For weekend variety, Fresno (~60 miles), Modesto (~40 miles) and Stockton (~70 miles) are all within about an hour–and–a–half drive and offer bigger-city dining, entertainment and airport options for quick escapes.