Yes, it can help to be local, although Stockton is quite far from the parts of California that most people want to move to, so it would not be that local to where you probably want to find a job at. Of course, a heavy debt burden will severely restrict your career and other life choices. Also, if one of the other schools is substantially less expensive, the savings could more than pay for a relocation to some place in California.
What is the price difference between the various schools? (If you do not have actual financial aid offers, what do their net price calculators say?)