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Campbell is a city of about 43,000 people in Santa Clara County, in the heart of Silicon Valley between San Jose and Los Gatos. It was founded by Benjamin Campbell in the late 1800s and for decades was a center of fruit orchards and canneries, earning it the nickname the Orchard City.
Today Campbell is known for its small-town downtown along East Campbell Avenue, lined with restaurants, wine bars, cafes and boutiques in restored early-1900s buildings, and for its Sunday farmers market. The Campbell Historical Museum and the 1925 Ainsley House tell the story of the orchard era, while the Heritage Theatre hosts concerts and shows in a restored 1938 auditorium.
The Los Gatos Creek Trail runs through the city, linking Campbell Park and the Los Gatos Creek County Park ponds with Los Gatos and San Jose, making it popular for walking, running and cycling. The Pruneyard shopping center sits on Campbell's eastern edge, and the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains are a short drive south.
East Campbell Avenue is lined with early-1900s buildings housing restaurants, cafes, wine bars and independent shops, and it is closed to traffic for events through the year. Evenings are lively with outdoor dining. Light rail stops at the end of the street, and nearby public lots offer free parking.
Every Sunday morning, year-round, East Campbell Avenue fills with farm stands selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, baked goods and prepared food from local growers and makers. It is one of the most popular markets in the South Bay. Arrive early for the best produce and easiest parking, and bring your own bags.
Built in 1925 for cannery owner John Colpitts Ainsley, this English Tudor Revival house was moved to the Civic Center in 1990 and furnished in period style. Guided tours show the family's life during Campbell's orchard and canning era, and the gardens are pleasant to stroll. Check the museum's tour days first.
Housed in a 1922 former fire station near the Civic Center, this museum covers Campbell's history from its Native roots to the orchards, canneries and growth of Silicon Valley. Exhibits change regularly and include hands-on displays for children. It shares tickets and hours with the nearby Ainsley House.
Originally the auditorium of Campbell Union High School, this 1938 Art Deco-influenced theater has been restored as a city venue for concerts, comedy, dance and community productions. Its intimate size makes for good views. Check the calendar for shows, and park in the free lots around the Campbell Community Center.
A Santa Clara County park built around a series of percolation ponds beside Los Gatos Creek, with walking paths, a large dog park, picnic areas and fly-casting ponds. Birds such as herons and egrets are common. It connects directly to the Los Gatos Creek Trail. A parking fee applies at the main lot.
A neighborhood park on the banks of Los Gatos Creek near downtown, with lawns, shade trees, basketball courts, a playground and picnic tables. It is a gateway to the Los Gatos Creek Trail and a short walk from Campbell Avenue. It is a good spot for a picnic after visiting the Sunday farmers market.
An open-air shopping center on Bascom Avenue with restaurants, a cinema, a hotel, offices and specialty stores, built on former orchard land. It is also known for the 1980 Supreme Court case on free speech in shopping centers. It is a convenient stop for a meal or a movie, with plenty of free parking.
The tall water tower near the end of East Campbell Avenue, painted with the city's name, is downtown Campbell's best-known landmark and a nod to its orchard-town past. It stands beside the light rail station and is a popular photo spot. Combine it with a walk along the avenue and a stop at the farmers market.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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