Anderson West - San Jose, CA

Benjamin Campbell started the legacy of this town in 1851, when he purchased 160 acres in the downtown area for the purpose of farming. Over the next 100 years the city slowly grew until it was incorporated in 1952. Campbell quickly become interconnected in the San Jose metro area and with the San Francisco Bay area via railroad.

Campbell became home to many folks involved in helping earn the South Bay Area the name of "The Silicon Valley" in the 90s. Many people living in this area work within the tech industry. Learn more about the history of Campbell at the Campbell Historical Museum on Central Avenue.

When fall rolls around, be sure to check out Oktoberfest in downtown Campbell for lots of fun events and special food. The city hosts a fun run during this time that draws lots of local participation among residents.

Locals go crazy for TGI's Sushi. The fast service and polite staff with amaze you. Fantastic Miso soup, creative decor and one-of-a-kind sushi rolls keep customers coming back here. The portions here can be very large, making it easy to share with a friend for lunch. Expect to pay about $13 to $15 for a roll.

If you love Voodoo Donuts in the Pacific Northwest, you'll adore Psycho Donuts in Campbell. Locals refer to it as "The Crazy Bay Area Sister" of Voodoo. Come here to find the most unique and flavorful donuts around. The staff goes well out of their way to craft amazingly abstract donuts, including the Spare Tire and Nutella the Hun. Check out the fun website before you go to see just how wild the creations can get here.

Head out to Aqui Cal-Mex on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening for a lot of fun with friends and the most creative drinks around. Forget traditional Tex-Mex entrees because the fusion-oriented drinks and food offered here will blow you away. Locals love the "Swirl" drinks, which are tasty margarita-inspired blended drinks with lots of fruity flavor. Aqui is a fantastic place to start out if you're heading to one of the many dance clubs in San Jose later in the evening.

You'll find ample bike paths, bike lanes and lots of sidewalks to cruise around the Anderson West neighborhood. Bikers looking to travel to San Jose or downtown Campbell can make the trip, but should take care on busy streets. Residents can choose to walk to downtown Campbell if they prefer to do so as the walk isn't very long.

Many folks here drive to get to work. Interstate 280 and Highways 101 and 85 provide a local network to San Jose and San Francisco. Commuters to these areas may experience traffic at rush hour but shouldn't find too much trouble parking in the Anderson West neighborhood when they get home.

Folks looking to take advantage of public transit can use the Valley Transit Authority Metro Rail from downtown Campbell to get to downtown San Jose. They can also use the San Jose CalTrain station to get to downtown San Francisco. There are many buses that connect the neighborhood to San Jose, Campbell and the rest of the Bay Area as well. Cabs and Uber can also be contacted to reserve a ride in the area.

Campbell Park offers an exercise-centric park experience at no cost, making it a fantastic family-friendly place. Come here to jog, walk your dog or play basketball. If you have some time, take a walk down the beautiful Los Gatos Creek Trail that connects with the park.

John D. Morgan Park provides plenty of space for kids to play. You will find lots of open spots for barbecues and sports at no cost. This park proffers a place for older kids to play separately from the younger kids on an adjacent playground. The layout of the park makes it popular with families, so be prepared for crowds on sunny days.

Compared to San Jose, it costs a little below average to live in the Anderson West neighborhood. With an average one-bedroom apartment costing roughly $1,550 per month. A beer at a local pub downtown will cost anywhere from $4 to $10. Gas prices in the area are 10 percent above the national average, and a one-way bus ticket to downtown San Jose costs about $4.

Downtown Campbell has plenty of small businesses that offer clothing from classic to trendy and other specialty goods. You can also find the year round Campbell Farmers Market here, running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.

Those looking for a boutique that sits on the precipice of modern style need only check out Bombshell Boutique. This place offers classy fashion at affordable prices. The friendly staff will make sure you are happy with the way you look before ringing up the sale. Check out the store's Facebook page before heading out for special offers and coupons.

If you want to pick up some gear for the outdoors, be sure to check out Sports Basement. The staff here are helpful, and will help you get well-equipped for your next outing into the Bay Area. The shop features everything from basic sports gear and snowboards to GoPro cameras for catching all of the action.

If you have a gift in mind for a loved one or are looking for some chic home décor, check out Kaleido Lamps. The selection of carefully picked merchandise here gives the store an elegant aesthetic for you to shop in.

For groceries and daily staples, most locals stick to the nearby Safeway, Whole Foods, and Trader Joes.