Occidental Park

Occidental Park Review

This picturesque cobblestone "park" and the ivy-covered wall on its western boundary show up in a lot of brochures. It's the geographical heart of the historic neighborhood—too bad its current layout is not that historic at all. Though it once was the site of the Savoy Hotel, the park actually spent a lot of time as a parking lot before the restoration of the neighborhood started in the late 1960s and early '70s. It can be lovely on sunny days, and there's a small outdoor café in seasonable weather. Note, however, that this square is a spot where homeless people congregate; depending on how intense the panhandling activity is, it may be more of a stroll-through than a sit-down-and-linger affair. The square is best avoided at night.