Ask A Local About Campbell
What brought you to Campbell? I grew up on the East Coast, and even owned a house out there, but when I was offered a great job in San Jose I knew I had to take it. I’ve been living in Campbell for four years now and I’ve loved every second of it.
What do you like best about it? I like that you can go out for a night on the town or relax as you stroll through the Farmer’s Market on the weekend. There’s plenty of great restaurants on the strip, it’s a fairly active community, and you can walk to pretty much everything!
What do you like least? Over the weekends parking downtown can get a little hectic. But I try to look on the bright side, that means others love my city just as much as I do!
How has your neighborhood changed since you moved there? The biggest change since I’ve been living here would have to be the renovation of the Pruneyard. It used to be a fairly small center with some clothing stores, a Trader Joe’s, bookstore, brewery, and a movie theater. Most of the remodel is done now, but it’s completely turned around. It used to be more of a stop, shop, and go center, but now it’s completely opened up. They’ve made it an open space shopping center with hip restaurants, art exhibits, luxurious movie theater, and more parking. I love it, it’s a great place to hang out!
Do you need a car to get around? I take my car to work, which is very convenient since 17 is so close but I know many locals who take public transportation. There’s several local and express bus lines that run to Cupertino, Los Gatos, Palo Alto San Jose, Santa Clara and Saratoga. And there are also three light rail stations on the Mountain View - Winchester line.
What's the neighborhood housing stock like? Sparse if you are looking to buy, but there are quite a few rentals available.
Better for buyers or renters? Renters.
Tell us something we don't know about the neighborhood: I actually just found out that for many years, Campbell had one of the most successful youth baseball programs in the country; reaching 14 World Series from 1960-87. You can even read about it in “The Last Baseball Town.”
Any hidden gems? I love used books so my favorite place to stop by is Recycle Bookstore West. It’s located right smack in the heart and center of downtown Campbell. You can get novels ranging from mystery, biographies and more. Something that makes this place stand out is there "Blind Date" with a novel section. Tucked away in the back section of the store there's a section with books wrapped up and there's only a couple of great adjectives and small sentences used to entice people to read, however the name of the novel isn't there. It’s one of the main reasons this place has become my favorite store….well that and their adorable cat!
Nearest grocery store? While Trader Joe’s is a five minute drive from my house, I’ve really been getting into taking a trip to the Hamilton Euromarket. It’s a great place to stop by and explore some specialty foods you normally wouldn’t find at your local grocery store. One of the latest things I tried there and my new favorite, is Mozartkugeln. It’s an Austrian bonbon.
Good for kids? Absolutely! There are a number of great public and private schools within the city limits. Not only that, but there’s already a large population of families living in the area. Kids playing on playgrounds and running around downtown are a common sight.
Notable Residents: There’s been world powerlifting champion Alan Aerts and the famous psychic and spiritualist, Sylvia Browne. In regards to the youngest politicians in the U.S., there’s Rusty Hammer and Evan Low. Claire Lobrovich, an All-American Girls Professional Baseball player. Railroad artist, Michael Kotowski, and actor Brett Dalton.
Best place to get brunch? Stacks is the place to be. Get there early on the weekends, because this place is always packed! If you go, I’d suggest the corned beef hash eggs benedict. It’s insanely good! The beef falls apart, is well-seasoned, slightly spicy and mouth wateringly delicious. And as the name suggests, you can’t go wrong with any of their selection of pancakes. There’s also Hash House! Try any of their signature Hashes. My personal favorite is the Irish Hash...corned beef again... or the Veggie Hash. Just depends what you’re in the mood for.
Best park? Locals with kids are always at John D. Morgan Park. It’s a wonderful spot! The kids love to play on the playground, while the adults can BBQ and keep an eye on them.
Beloved neighborhood joints? If you’re looking for a classy night out, The Vesper is the place to be. It’s a swanky lounge with a great selection of craft beers and cocktails. And the appetizers are quite tasty! On the other hand, if you’re looking to hit up the best happy hour and enjoy some sports, Rock Bottom Brewery is it.
Best Coffee Shop? Orchard Valley! They roast their own coffee, bake their own pastries, and offer a large cozy seating area. The staff here is really friendly as well! Trust me, this place fills up. It’s not a secret it’s the best!
Favorite thing to do on the weekend? You can catch me every Sunday at the Campbell Farmers’ Market. There are so many vendors, from produce, to food trucks, to prepared food vendors. There are endless possibilities! And as a plus, most of the food is organic! The first booth I stop at every time is the crepe place. They’re jam packed with eggs and veggies, and a great way to start off your morning.
What is the best trail? It’s gotta be the Los Gatos Creek Trail. You can run or bike along the way, but I like to walk my dog along it. It runs from Lexington Reservoir in Los Gatos all the way to Meridian Ave. in San Jose. In total I believe the trail is about 11 miles, but I normally don’t go the whole way. It is such nice stroll on a sunny day and great exercise! Bonus points for restrooms, playgrounds, and picnic areas nearby also.
Stereotypical residents? Young working adults and and families.
Final words? Whether you’re looking for an active downtown or a quiet place to raise your kids, Campbell has it all.