Moving to Campbell, CA: What to Know

Photo: Kyle Smith on Unsplash

Moving to Campbell, CA? This small city between San Jose and Los Gatos packs a lot into about 6 square miles: a lively downtown, a creek trail, light rail and quiet residential streets. Here is a simple guide to help you decide if Campbell fits your life.

Campbell at a Glance

Campbell, nicknamed “The Orchard City,” was once a fruit-drying and canning center and became a city in 1952. San Jose borders it on the north and east, Los Gatos on the south, and a small part of Saratoga on the west. About 44,000 people lived here at the 2020 census. To compare neighbors, see my Campbell community guide, plus Los Gatos and the nearby Cambrian area of San Jose.

Downtown Campbell and the Sunday Market

Downtown sits along Campbell Avenue near the railroad, with shops, restaurants and bars. Every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM, year round, E. Campbell Avenue between Central Avenue and Third Street turns into the Campbell Farmers Market. The only breaks are the third Sunday in May and October, when downtown hosts its music festival and Oktoberfest.

Nearby landmarks give the city its character. The historic Water Tower dates to 1928, the Ainsley House and Campbell Historical Museum sit in the downtown quad, and The Pruneyard shopping center is a short drive away.

Parks and the Los Gatos Creek Trail

• Los Gatos Creek Trail: paths run along the creek on Campbell’s east side, past the percolation ponds locals call the “Perc Ponds,” and you can follow the trail south into Los Gatos.
• Los Gatos Creek County Park is the largest park in Campbell, and John D. Morgan Park is the second largest.
• Smaller parks include Campbell Park, Edith Morley Park (home of the community garden program) and Orchard City Green.

Campbell Homes

Most homes in Campbell are single-family, with some condos, duplexes and apartments. Many were built from the 1950s through the 1970s, often with three or four bedrooms on lots of about 6,000 square feet. You will also find older homes near downtown that buyers like for their architecture, and some larger newer homes on subdivided lots. Every street is different, so it pays to compare homes in person.

Campbell CA Schools

Public schools in Campbell belong mainly to Campbell Union School District and Campbell Union High School District. Schools inside the city include Campbell School of Innovation (K-8), Capri Elementary, Rosemary Elementary and Westmont High. Some Campbell-area addresses fall in other districts, so check the district locator for each home you consider.

Getting Around

Campbell has three VTA light rail stations: Hamilton, Downtown Campbell and Winchester. Highway 17 runs through the east side of the city, Highway 85 cuts across the southwest corner, and San Tomas Expressway, Winchester Boulevard and Bascom Avenue handle local trips. Interstate 280 and downtown San Jose are a short drive north.

Campbell FAQ

Is Campbell, CA a good place to live?

Many people like Campbell for its walkable downtown, Sunday farmers market, Los Gatos Creek Trail and central spot in the South Bay, with San Jose and Los Gatos right next door. It is a small city of about 6 square miles, so most of it feels close to everything.

What school districts serve Campbell?

Campbell public schools within the city belong mainly to Campbell Union School District (elementary and middle) and Campbell Union High School District, which includes Westmont High. District lines do not always match city lines, so confirm the schools for any specific address.

When is the Campbell farmers market?

The Campbell Farmers Market runs every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM, year round, on E. Campbell Avenue between Central Avenue and Third Street. It skips the third Sunday in May and October for downtown festivals.

Does Campbell have light rail?

Yes. VTA light rail serves Campbell at Hamilton, Downtown Campbell and Winchester stations, and Highways 17 and 85 and San Tomas Expressway are close by.

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