Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Campbell, CA

  • Published 2022/11/14

Campbell is a fun and colorful city in the heart of Santa Clara County, California.

It’s a delightful little place where traditional and progressive values mingle seamlessly.

If you want to visit California, Campbell is as good a place as any to capture the West Coast magic you’re undoubtedly looking for.

Everywhere you turn, you will find something exciting and unique that you might have trouble picking out where to start.

Here are a few of there best things to do in Campbell, California.

Learn Local History at the Ainsley House

Front view of Ainsley House

Hank Shiffman / Shutterstock.com

If you’re a history buff or want to learn more about Campbell’s history, then Ainsley House should be at the top of your list of places to visit.

Initially located on the corner of Hamilton and Johnson Avenue, this 1920s English Tudor Cottage holds many stories that you won’t want to miss.

Front view of Ainsley House

Hank Shiffman / Shutterstock.com

The museum staff hosts guided tours, so catch one to gain the full experience and context that the place is trying to present.

You can also rent the space if you want to host an event like a wedding or a get-together.

Front view of Ainsley House

Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ainsley House’s history will certainly make your event look a lot more romantic and historic, so take the time to consider the place if that’s the vibe you’re looking for.

There’s always a lot to learn from historical spaces, and the Ainsley House is no different.

See what you’ll discover once you step into those aged hallways and walk through its rooms.

Relax at the John D. Morgan Park

John D. Morgan Park is the place to go if you’re looking for a simple and uncomplicated way to spend your time.

It has a playground for kids to run around and burn off their energy.

For the adults, there are various picnic areas where they can hang out, relax, and have fun among themselves without a lot of pressure to do anything.

Take the time to enjoy everything you’ve learned about Campbell and the many sights you’ve seen, and plan the things you’d like to do soon.

John D. Morgan Park is an easy getaway from the pressures of real life; sometimes, that’s all you need.

Shop at the Pruneyard Shopping Center

View of Pruneyard Shopping Center

Coolcaesar at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A trip to the mall is a great way to have fun, collect souvenirs, and know the new area without trying too hard, and the Pruneyard Shopping Center is one of the best malls in Campbell.

It’s a 250,000-square-foot open-air space that hosts many retail and commercial stores that’ll certainly catch your eye.

View of Pruneyard Shopping Center

Coolcaesar at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Only your imagination limits the number of things you can do there.

Get a facial, buy new clothes, watch a movie, and eat out with your friends and family.

The Pruneyard Shopping Center is dedicated to giving you an enjoyable time, so why not take advantage of it while you’re there?

View of a sign in Pruneyard Shopping Center

Coolcaesar at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

See a Movie at the CineLux Plaza Theater

Sometimes, the best way to spend your vacation in Campbell is seeing an excellent old movie at the CineLux Plaza Theater.

The theater has a long history, dating back to 1966, and now boasts of being a second-generation and locally-owned company.

You’ll be treated to a state-of-the-art cinema experience at affordable prices alongside delicious movie treats and attentive and excellent service when you go there.

In this day and age, there are always a lot of films to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for a fun rom-com, a bombastic superhero flick, or a chilling horror adventure, the CineLux Plaza Theater should have exactly what you need.

Unleash Your Inner Artist at the Art Beat

The Art Beat is a cozy art studio that exudes a warmth that’ll make you feel just like home and offers a space where you can freely and openly express yourself without reservation.

They offer classes, workshops, and camps to help foster your creativity and cultivate your love for art.

Of course, there are many different kinds of art forms out there, but the primary focus of the Art Beat is clay, potters wheel, and hand-building.

Don’t worry if you’re not interested in those areas because they also dabble in painting and mixed media.

If you have an insatiable love for art or want to learn how to create better pieces, stop by the studio and take one of their classes.

Explore the Campbell Farmer’s Market

View of Campbell Farmer’s Market

Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Exploring the Campbell Farmer’s Market is a sure way to get to know the community of the area you’re visiting.

The market opens every Sunday and is one of the best Farmer’s Markets in South Bay so that you won’t miss out on it.

You’ll find fresh and locally grown produce and food vendors that are absolutely to die for.

View of Campbell Farmer’s Market

Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are also craft vendors and live music, expressing Campbell’s culture in a single snapshot you’ll want to capture and cherish for the rest of your life.

The Campbell Farmer’s Market is colorful and enjoyable to visit, so add it to your travel itinerary if you get the chance.

Try Recreational Activities at the Jack Fischer Park

Jack Fischer Park has a lot of fun and interactive features that you and your family will undoubtedly want to try out.

Aside from a playground, the place has an interactive water feature and a “bee hive” hill with walking paths.

Of course, you can’t forget about the large open play fields in the area.

Jack Fischer Park is an excellent stopover if you want to do recreational activities with your traveling companions.

Explore the place and have fun while you’re doing it.

After all, how else should you make the most of your time?

Spend the Day at Campbell Park

On the corner of Campbell Avenue and Gilman Avenue, you’ll find Campbell Park, a place you should visit at least once while in the area.

There’s a lot to do there, and you won’t get bored.

You can find children’s play equipment for your kids to play around in and two full-sized basketball courts.

It’s also a central access point to the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

If you’re looking to explore the trail, then Campbell Park is a great place to stop by and rest before embarking on your journey.

Catch a Show at the Heritage Theater

Front view of Heritage Theater

Elan5, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Head to the Heritage Theater if you want to watch a place or other stage performances.

The theater itself was built way back in the 1930s.

It has a long and colorful history of hosting a wide variety of shows and serving as a stage for exquisite performers.

Front view of Heritage Theater

Flickr user roarofthefour, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

They host various shows throughout the year; they’re all a treat to watch!

Join the audience and watch the exceptional performers’ acting, the director’s beautiful skills, and the technical crew’s magical talents.

If you’re looking to watch a particular show or catch a cast member, plan your visit to Heritage Theater accordingly.

Play with Friends at the AFKxp Tech & Game Center

Gaming is a hobby that many people worldwide enjoy.

There’s no better place to connect and hang out with other gamers in Campbell than at the AFKxp Tech & Gaming Center.

They have everything your gaming heart could ever want or need!

Whether it’s an FPS or a Battle Royale, the computers in this place can handle whatever game you want to play.

They also host various events throughout the year specifically tailored to their fanbase.

So, you can attend fan meetups, watch tournaments of top-tier players, and attend cosplay parties.

You can also book them to host a party with your friends or colleagues.

Their entertainment center is fully equipped to handle all your gaming needs.

Check out the AFKxp Tech & Game Center if you’re part of the gaming community.

Join a Wine Tasting at the Travieso Winery

Everyone deserves to drink good wine, and Travieso Winery is one of the best places to get exactly what you need.

The winery has a close relationship with their growers to ensure that the grapes they use for their wines are top-tier.

Likewise, their staff is experienced and incredibly skilled at what they do.

The place hosts wine tastings every Saturday, so make some room in your busy schedule if you get the chance and try out what they have to offer.

If you plan on making a habit of visiting the winery, then you can also join their wine club.

Membership entitles you to discounts and regular shipments of the winery’s best products.

Don’t forget to purchase a few bottles while you’re at the Travieso Winery.

There’s no better opportunity to get high-quality wine in Campbell.

Learn about Glass Making at the Glass Scout Studio

The Glass Scout Studio is a fused glass studio in Campbell specializing in commercial and residential art.

Glass making, as an art form, is incredibly intensive, producing delicate and beautiful things.

The studio hopes to share love and appreciation for it throughout its community.

They host classes and private events to help people understand how glass-making works, so try their services when you’re in the area.

Stop by their studio and view their works; you will not be disappointed.

Glass Scout Studio produces a kind of magic in pieces they create, and it’s a delightful pleasure you won’t want to miss.

Explore New Worlds at the Recycle Bookstore

Books aren’t just items people own and get rid of so quickly.

For a lot of people, books are part of them, and have had a considerable impact on their life.

If there’s a place out there that knows the value and magic of books, it’s the Recycle Bookstore.

The place opened way back in 1967.

They’ve strived to provide the books people will love and adore for the rest of their lives.

Look through their shelves and see what catches your eye.

Maybe it’s a collection of poems written by someone you’ve never heard of before or a novel told by someone who lived and died a hundred years ago.

Whatever the book, listen if it calls to you, and don’t hesitate to get it if it does.

It might just change your life.

You can also drop off some books to donate while you’re there.

The staff is always looking for current and semi-current titles, so if you think you have some things that’ll fit the bill, bring them over.

The Recycle Bookstore holds a lot of magic.

Find a new story that’ll sweep you off your feet, and give away the ones you’d want the rest of the world to know about.

Try the Olive Oil of the Olive Bar

You can find the freshest and the best quality olive oil at the Olive Bar.

Olive Oil is a handy and popular ingredient for a wide variety of dishes.

Take the opportunity to stock up on award-winning bottles of the stuff while you’re in the area.

The products they sell are 100% organic.

You’ll never be in doubt about the authenticity and quality of the olive oils they have in stock.

The place offers free tastings, meaning you can be sure of the quality of their products.

Take advantage of the opportunity and find the bottle and variety that suits your needs and palette the most!

You can also purchase some balsamic vinegar, gourmet stuffed olives, and some gift sets while you’re there.

What are you waiting for?

Bring your shopping bags to the Olive Bar, and get a bottle of everything!

Enjoy Girls’ Night at the Bottle & Bottega

Botte & Bottega by Painting With a Twist is pure and unadulterated fun, plain and simple.

You don’t need creative or artistic skills when participating in one of their events.

Just bring your desire to have fun with your friends and connect with your carefree and joyful side.

When attending one of their events, prepare for a night of wine, snacks, and laughter.

Don’t forget the painting, of course.

Make a reservation with your friends if you’re interested.

However, do it fast since slots fill up fast, and you’ll want to keep your friend group together to maintain your mingle space.

After that, you won’t have to worry about anything else.

Botte & Bottega by Painting With a Twist will show you a good time with your friends.

Final Thoughts

Campbell is a place that overflows with character and culture.

It may not be one of the most well-known areas in California, but it still has that West Coast Charm that you’re craving.

Book a trip today and explore the best things to do in Campbell, California!

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