As we embark on a journey into these highly anticipated last four months of high school, I, and the rest of the class of 2026, assuredly feel a sense of melancholy. Through this melancholic dam, a tsunami of nostalgia has begun to flood. Nostalgia that, for many of us, predates high school. For a good chunk of the senior class, we’re saying goodbye to our hometown, spending our last few permanent months at our usual hangout locations or “thinking” spots. I cherish the places I grew up with as lifelong friends. I wish to pay tribute to them by revisiting and reminiscing one more time!
#1 – Heroes Comics
A local Campbell business that, despite looking like it could’ve gone under a good while ago, has stood the test of time. This little comic book store has been there for me through all my stages—as a little kid my dad would introduce me to his favorite characters, as a middle schooler I began finding my own interests in different stories, and as a teen, I enjoyed soaking in the sheer amount of storytelling and artistry under a single roof.
#2 – Happy Hollow
Basically the “baby’s first roller coaster” park. As a child, I must have visited this place nearly every month of the year. I’ve visited the zoo and the attractions with friends and family alike, and it acted as a bridge between all the joyful parts of my life. This family-oriented bubble of fun remains so vivid and detailed in my memory. I hope to revisit with my little cousins one more time before I leave.
#3 – Hoover Theatre
Without theatre, I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. An empathetic guide through some late formative years, Playful People Productions taught me the basics of the performing arts, offering a safe space for kids like me to feel loved and find their artistic abilities at a young age. I intend to revisit this nostalgic building to pay respects to a crucial part of my life.
#4 – Campbell Park Creek
The creek down the steep slope at Campbell Park doesn’t share the accessibility of these other memorable locations. My friends and I never intended for this shady creek down the steep slope of leaves and dirt to become a staple of our group. One way or another however, this terribly uncomfortable spot repeatedly drew us in. It’s great for thinking deep and goofing off, and for some reason I know I’ll miss it a lot.
#5 – A ride on the BART
Another staple among my friends and I, the BART train has consistently provided quick and entertaining transport to San Francisco. Endless chats and laughs run through my head as I think about the misadventures that followed. The decline in public transportation only serves to make me value this transit line even more.
#6 – Children’s Discovery Museum
The smell of chlorine fills my nostrils as I enter an industrial sized playroom. Water flows through a jungle of mazes, pushing hollow rubber balls along a path. Children scurry as they influence the maze in different ways. My imagination ignites. Every room of the Children’s Discovery Museum has a VIP suite in my memory. Possibly the most nostalgic, the feelings I have for the Children’s Discovery Museum are heightened by the fact that I haven’t gone back since I was young. If I’m going to visit any of these memorable places, this has got to be the one.