Until a couple of years ago, Campbell was best known for canning and shipping fruit. It had a handful of mom-and-pop stores, scads of vacant storefronts, and an older population that was safe at home by 5 p.m. A little late to the party, this centrally located town, right off Route 17 halfway between San Jose and Los Gatos, is finally enjoying a tech boom—indirectly, that is.

With eBay just around the corner, and companies like Netflix, Cisco, and Intel nearby, Campbell is suddenly looking good to not-yet-struck-gold techies hoping to snag a piece of real estate close to their jobs. The typical first-time homebuyers are young professionals who realize that their money goes farther here than elsewhere in the valley, says Don Sciba, a local real estate agent. “At half the price of Los Gatos, Campbell gives them a place to start.”

The influx of young blood has also jump-started a downtown renaissance, complete with trendy boutiques, independent galleries, a slew of new restaurants, and—gasp!—an active nightlife. But even as it changes with the times, the Orchard City has managed to keep one foot firmly rooted in the past. New downtown businesses occupy original historic buildings, and a giant water tower looms in the distance, a relic of the town’s agricultural history. And while it may be easier to spot a new housing development than a fruit orchard nowadays, Campbell still offers residents small-town traditions—including Sundown Cinema, an outdoor summer movie series that features classics like Some Like It Hot and Jaws. There’s still no Pottery Barn or Williams-Sonoma in Campbell—and many residents would like to keep it that way—but the lack of such trappings may be exactly why the young’uns stick around long after their options have vested.

THE GRUB
Wood-fired oven? Check. Fourteen-inch diameter? Check. It’s official: La Pizzeria serves up authentic thin-crust, Neapolitan-style pies by following the strict pizza-making requirements established by Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture. 373 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

Start with a cheese-and-béchamel crêpe at Twist Café and build your own from there, choosing from a variety of meats, cheeses, and veggies. 247 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

Spanish entrées, like seafood paella, mingle with dishes from Tunisia, Greece, and Morocco on the menu at Mediterranean-inspired Olio , which opened last year. Relax on the street-facing patio and enjoy a prosecco from the impressive wine list. 384 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

WHAT IT COSTS
…to rent: $1,514 for a one-bedroom, one-bath, 750-square-foot apartment with a bal-cony at 225 UNION AVE.
…to buy: $435,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bath, updated condo in a gated community at 2873 S. BASCOM AVE.

SHOPFRONTS
At stylish boutique Toastshop, designer Jessie Jaeger features her own line of “glamorous basics” alongside Joe’s Jeans and Lullie vintage tops. Ladies will like the whimsical selection of jewelry, purses, and hobo belts. 381 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

Enjoy free tastings of extra-virgin olive oil from around the globe at The Olive Bar, which opened in June. The store also sells balsamic vinegar, herbs, garlic, and—surprise—olives in a bright and cheery space. 232 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

Vintage clothing store 23 Skidoo takes you back in time with apparel and accessories from the 1940s through the ’80s. Drop in to find that perfect pair of leopard-print creepers or fishnets—the store claims to have the largest selection in the South Bay. 342 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

At Moonfyre Metaphysical, you can have your tarot cards read or, if you’re cosmically inclined, consult the shop’s “angel therapists,” who claim to
promote well-being by invoking your personal angels and archangels (bet you didn’t even know you had any). 401 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

THE TALK
A downtown redevelopment plan was approved by the city council in May, but residents voiced so many concerns—from traffic to late-night noise to worry that beloved small busi­nesses might be pushed out—that it’s now being revised. “It’s been sad to see some of my old haunts disappear because they can’t afford to pay rising rents,” says Tom Frangesh, a 30-year Campbell resident who really doesn’t want to see the town “yuppified.” Andy’s Bar-B-Que was bulldozed in 2004 to make room for a Marriott, and the Gaslighter Theater, which hosted concerts for teens and vaudeville performances for 37 years, was forced to close. Locals hope the revised plan will nip this trend in the bud.

HANGOUTS
Starbucks is just down the street, but many locals prefer Orchard Valley Coffee, an unusually spacious roastery with free Wi-Fi. Community groups, work-from-home types, and students are regulars, but the place gets busiest on live music nights, held three times a week. 349 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

Many agree that the variety of fresh produce at the Campbell Farmers Market makes it the best in the South Bay. Arrive early on any Sunday to ensure that you get the best pickings. CAMPBELL AVE. (BTW. CENTRAL AND 1ST STS.)

It may still look like a dive bar from the street, but the recently made-over Cardiff Lounge is anything but seedy inside. The swanky interior, gregarious bartenders, and groovy house music make this the place for local techies to be and be seen. 260 E. CAMPBELL AVE.

ONLY HERE
Prominent Campbell resident and canner J.C. Ainsley began selling “fruit salad” in 1893 under the Golden Morn label. The product consisted of a medley of cherries and other diced fruit, leading some to deem Campbell the birthplace of fruit cocktail.