Just as the name implies, Downtown is right in the center of the action. Its’ homes are celebrated for their charming English cottage architecture and large and looming sycamore trees. Downtown is home to Lower Bidwell Park that offers a wide range of activities such as swimming in Sycamore Pool or Salmon Hole, barbecuing in Cedar Grove or playing softball at Sycamore Field. Bordering the park on the south is Woodland Ave and on the north is Vallombrosa Avenue. Both are very desirable streets due to their vicinity to the park and downtown. Mansion Park is just a few blocks from downtown and borders the Esplanade and Bidwell Mansion. Professors, students and downtown aficionados live in sync as this enviable area of Chico sits just at the edge of the Chico State University’s Laxson Auditorium. Both Downtown and Mansion Park will always be very desirable, family-oriented areas. Homes in these areas have a higher price per square foot than other areas of Chico due, in part to, its proximity to such local favorites such as Shubert’s Ice Cream Shop, The Pageant Theatre, and a multitude of unique, locally owned boutiques, shops and eateries.