When you hear “Little Italy”, you usually think of Little Italy in New York City, where many Italian immigrants settled here in the 20th century. This neighborhood was was made famous by Hollywood movies. However, not everyone knows that the biggest Little Italy in America is in San Diego, where Italian immigrants have made monumental contributions to the development of the city.
Here in San Diego’s Little Italy, you will find some of the best restaurants in San Diego – well, isn’t it obvious since Italian cuisine is so popular? There are events and parties that take place throughout the year that celebrate Italian culture.
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Location and Directions
Little Italy is enclosed between Waterfront Park and the San Diego Freeway and extends almost all the way to the airport. The main artery of Little Italy is India Street. If you are driving, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a parking space in this neighborhood. But if you want to be on the safe side, I recommend the huge parking lot that occupies the entire block between N Harbor Dr, W Hawthorn St, Pacific Hwy, and W Grape St.
If you plan to use public transportation in San Diego, the fastest way to get there from downtown is the Trolley (tram). On the green line, you will get off at the County Center / Little Italy stop. If you stay overnight in neighborhoods where there are no tramlines, you may find taking a bus to be the most convenient option. These are the bus lines that reach the neighborhood: 83, 280, and 290.
A Brief History
The first residents of Little Italy were sailors from Liguria (from Riva Trigoso, a hamlet of Sestri Levante) who arrived here in 1849 from the southern Pacific Coast. They were sent by the Kingdom of Spain to take advantage of the Gold Rush. In order to survive, they exploited their seafaring skills and adapted by fishing and building boats for tuna fishing.
The real boom of the neighborhood came after the earthquake that struck San Francisco in 1906. Many fishing families moved to San Diego specializing in tuna fishing and the local fish and food industry exploded. In the first half of the century, Little Italy in San Diego was the capital of tuna fishing and canned fish.
Places to Go in Little Italy
Like the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy has an arch with the name of the district, which acts as a gateway to India Street, the liveliest street of the neighborhood that is flanked by the main restaurants.
The sign has a nautical theme, to honor the history of the sea and fishing. The pillars supporting the large sign are decorated with mosaics that represent both the colors of the Italian flag and scenes of fishing and family life.
A walk along India St is a must if you visit San Diego and it is certainly one of the best places to dine in the city. Some of the restaurants have unique entrances and it is definitely interesting to read the Italian names of the various places. But Little Italy is not just a place to eat out. Let’s see what else the neighborhood has in store.
The squares of Little Italy
In Italy (and in Europe in general), the square acts as the main meeting place in the city. It is no wonder then that the Italian inhabitants of San Diego wanted to make their neighborhood unique by creating several small squares. The way that San Diego is structured makes it impossible to build large squares, but a few clearings and pedestrian streets became well-kept and pleasant outdoor meeting places.
- Piazza della Famiglia. This is the largest square in the city, about 0.4 square miles, and was created along W Date St between the intersections with India St and Columbia St. At one end, there is a beautiful tiled fountain. Next to the fountain, there are tables and umbrellas that create the ideal setting for outdoor dining, especially in the summer. Piazza della Famiglia is a symbolic place for the inhabitants of the neighborhood that is dedicated to the past, present, and future families of Little Italy. Cultural events, concerts, and farmers’ markets take place here.
- Piazza Basilone. This square located at India St and W Fir St is one of the most characteristic points of the entire neighborhood. It is a circular tiled plaza similar to the ones you would find in Rome, with a fountain in the center where water flows on a large globe. The small square is dedicated to John Basilone (whose bust is in this square), a Marine sergeant killed in battle during the Second World War. Basilone was the only Marine to receive, during the Second World War, both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, which were awarded posthumously for his extraordinary heroism shown during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
- Fisherman’s Square. It is only natural to pay tribute to the fishermen of San Diego here in Little Italy, where there is a fish market. Rather than a square, it is a rounded extension of the sidewalk, at the intersection of Kettner Blvd and W Fir St. It is nice to hang out near the fountain with the statue of the fisherman who raises his latest catch.
- Giannini Square. Amadeo Giannini, an Italian-American whose parents came from Liguria, was the founder of the Bank of Italy. This bank, together with the Bank of America in Los Angeles, gave birth to what is now the Bank of America. In the pedestrian island at the intersection between India St and W Cedar St, we find the bust of Giannini and a series of plaques dedicated to him. Around the squares of Little Italy, there are several restaurants and Giannini Square is no exception.
Amici House and Amici Park
The Amici House is a historic home located in Little Italy located at 250 W Date St. The house, originally inhabited by the Giacalone family, was located in the center of the neighborhood, between India St and Columbia St, but was moved in 2014 for the creation of Piazza della Famiglia. Antonio Giacalone, who was of Sicilian origin, was considered one of the best fishermen in the 1920s and 1930s and the local community nicknamed him “Cadorna” to amicably name him the “general” of the neighborhood.
Today the Amici House is home to the Convivio Society for Italian Humanities, a non-profit organization that promotes Italian art, culture, and heritage in San Diego. By visiting it you can learn about the history and things that characterize the Italian community of San Diego.
The house is surrounded by Amici Park, which has a small outdoor theater where many public events are held.
Firemen’s Museum
At 1572 Columbia St, there is the San Diego Fire Museum, a very special museum, comparable to the Old Town Sheriff’s Museum. Inside Old Fire Station 6, a fire station built over a century ago, you’ll see fire equipment and memorabilia dating back to the late 19th century. Some of the highlights of the exhibition include La Jolla‘s first fire engine and a piece of steel from the World Trade Center.
The museum is open Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets cost $3, with a reduced price of $2 for children and seniors.
Things to Do in Little Italy
The food is the main reason why the inhabitants of San Diego go to Little Italy. Just like in all major American cities, Italian cuisine is very popular and restaurants are very successful. India St and the surrounding streets are teeming with places to stop for a quick bite to eat or a hearty meal, but that’s not all that you will find in Little Italy.
The markets of Little Italy
One thing that distinguishes Little Italy from the other neighborhoods of San Diego are the markets. These markets keep alive the agricultural and fishing tradition, and recreate the outdoor markets in the Italian countryside, something that stands out in an American city.
- Saturday market. On Saturday mornings, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, there are over 200 stands along W Date St that sell all kinds of meat, eggs, vegetables, and cheese that arrive from the county farms, while the fishermen display their fresh catch. There is no shortage of stalls selling plants and flowers as well as food.
- Small Wednesday market. Every Wednesday morning from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm, three blocks of W Date St come alive with stands selling all kinds of goods, such as vegetables, meat, fish, olive oil. Little Italy’s midweek market was born to establish a place where chefs can go shopping. The idea is that great chefs can find here the quality raw ingredients they need to create their own refined cuisine in the restaurants in the neighborhood. Locals can also take advantage of this market.
Please note: If you are fond of markets, I recommend you also visit the fish market that takes place every Saturday in the Embarcadero-Marina District!
Events in Little Italy
Throughout the year, there are several events and activities and most of them are held in Piazza della Famiglia. Concerts, shows, and dances, but also art exhibits and temporary exhibits make Little Italy one of the most sparkling districts of the city. On this website, you can find all the updated events of Little Italy, or you can also look at our article about the best events in San Diego to get an idea of the events throughout the city.
Some events are repeated annually and attract people from outside the city. Here are the main ones:
- The Campagnolo Gran Fondo. This is the main cycling competition in the city that is held every year in spring, usually in April.
- Mission Fed ArtWalk. Thousands of people flock to this giant outdoor art exhibition and market every year, which fills 16 blocks of Little Italy. Every year an emerging artist is given the opportunity to participate at no cost.
- Taste of Little Italy. Every year in June this event involves the whole neighborhood. The restaurants located along 48 blocks open their doors to food lovers to offer a taste of their most popular dishes. You can go from one restaurant to another for a variety of unique food tastings.
- Little Italy Summer Film Festival. Every summer, the Amici Park’s outdoor theatre comes alive with Italian films under the stars.
- Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village. Starting from the first weekend of December, the neighborhood is decorated with Christmas lights. A large Christmas tree is installed in Piazza Basilone and has different decorations every year. Music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and Santa Claus entertaining children fill this area with the Christmas spirit.
Places to Eat in Little Italy San Diego: Recommended Italian Restaurants
Little Italy is the district with the highest concentration of restaurants, bars, and cafes. Obviously, not all restaurants are of high quality, and just because they are located in the Italian neighborhood does not automatically guarantee that the food is good. Below I will try to recommend some of the best places to eat in Little Italy.
- Buon Appetito Restaurant (1609 India St). Even restaurants run by Italians, in fact, usually adapt to local tastes. You will not be disappointed.
- Solunto (1643 India St). This restaurant also stands out for being among the most authentic. Most dishes have some American influence, but never too much.
- Caffè Italia (1704 India St). If you’re a fan of espresso, come here during your stay in San Diego. This is the ideal cafe to have an espresso or a good cappuccino or have lunch.
- Waterfront Park & Grill (2044 Kettner Blvd). This is a typical American brewery where you can order grilled meat and a good craft beer. The pub-style setting and reasonable prices are the reason it is frequented by a young crowd. The restaurant organizes several themed evenings with a fixed menu.
Where to Stay
The Little Italy neighborhood is a great place to stay overnight in San Diego. There are many options for entertainment and restaurants, but at the same time, it is a quiet and safe neighborhood. You can see a complete list of hotels available in the area on this website.
For more accommodations in this neighborhood, you can find our recommendations for hotels in Little Italy and other parts of the city in the article on where to stay in San Diego.
