Little Italy
Experience San Diego’s most charming and vibrant neighborhood: Little Italy! In the 1920s, Italian-American fishermen moved to Little Italy to be close to the harbor and tuna industry. However, the decline of the tuna industry and the construction of Interstate 5 caused conditions in the neighborhood to deteriorate. In the 1980’s, Little Italy flourished again and has evolved into one of the ten largest Italian communities in the United States. Now, Little Italy hosts a wide variety of Italian and international restaurants, bars, boutiques, markets, and galleries.
Downtown’s most picturesque neighborhood offers an incredible food, beverage, and culture scene morning, noon, and night. The oldest bar Downtown, The Waterfront Bar & Grill, was built in 1934. Other spots from the tuna fishing times include the Mona Lisa Market, offering some Italian specialties and great deli-style sandwiches, and Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, which serves incredible pizzas and pasta in a home-style cooking environment.
The iconic Little Italy Landmark sign on India Street in the heart of the neighborhood.
Little Italy Housing
You can find the perfect home in Little Italy no matter what your living preferences are. Little Italy has a diverse housing scene with condos, apartments, lofts, single-family homes, and duplexes. Those who live in Little Italy would say that they feel like they’re part of a vibrant neighborhood without the loud noises and chaos that can come with many other vibrant neighborhoods.
Due to the small size of Little Italy, you can be sure that you will live no more than a five-minute walk to all the main happenings in and around the neighborhood, making Little Italy a fantastic place to live. Many of the condos and apartments have amenities including high-end pools, rooftop terraces, gyms, community rooms, and much much more!
La Vita Condos in Little Italy, San Diego
Benefits of Living in Little Italy
Charming and Vibrant
If you’re looking for great nightlife, delicious Italian and international restaurants, a cute date-night spot, one of the coolest seafood spots in San Diego, or simply want to explore a cute neighborhood Downtown, Little Italy has it all! If you lived in Little Italy, you might take a morning stroll through the peaceful neighborhood while sipping a delicious espresso. In the afternoon, you might stroll the Wednesday and Saturday Little Italy Mercado. At night, you could eat a nice dinner at one of Little Italy’s many restaurants or simply enjoy a tasty scoop of ice cream.
Festivals and Events
There are many events, festivals, and holiday specials in and around Little Italy. Every April for the past 40 years, The Mission Fed Art Walk has celebrated local visual and performing arts. The event benefits the non-profit Artreach, which brings high-quality art lessons into schools that have no other resources for art education. At ArtWalk, you will find live music and a plethora of local art. Another popular event in Little Italy is the annual Tree Lighting & Christmas Village, where young kids, families, and residents go to eat, drink, and get into the holiday spirit. This fun event is a local favorite every December and adds lots of charm to the community.
Recreation
Little Italy has an abundance of things to do, places to eat and drink, and local events; here are some of our highlights. On Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Little Italy Mercato offers fresh produce, local food booths, crafts, and much more. This market, held year round rain or shine on West Date Street, is a vibrant gem where many locals go to get their favorites. The Piazza della Famiglia has many cool local events and festivals taking place nearly every weekend. In addition, it is a charming spot to enjoy a dessert or a quick bite. The Little Italy Food Court has a wide variety of tasty offerings including tacos, pizza, and donuts. If you’re in the piazza for breakfast or lunch, give the most unique and popular breakfast and lunch spot Downtown a try. If you want to simply stroll the charming streets of Little Italy, walk along India Street and see much of what Little Italy has to offer!
Transportation
Little Italy was created with walkability in mind. With every block being highly pedestrian-friendly, Little Italy is perfect for popping in some cute boutiques, strolling all over the neighborhood, or getting a quick bite at your favorite place. If you prefer to bike or drive, Little Italy is also extremely bikable and drivable, although parking can sometimes be limited on busy weekend nights. Little Italy is also very well connected to the rest of Downtown and San Diego by the Metropolitan Transit System, with the blue and green trolley lines going to the Little Italy Station.
Education
Little Italy is also fantastic for families (my son has lived in Little Italy since he was born) because of the many parks, family-friendly activities, and schools. Washington Elementary serves kids in kindergarten through 5th grade in Little Italy, who will then continue on to Roosevelt Middle School and San Diego High School, both near Little Italy in Balboa Park.
LITTLE ITALY LOCATION
Little Italy is sandwiched in between the Columbia District, Waterfront Park, and the San Diego International Airport. Little Italy is just a short walk to the bayfront, Seaport Village, East Village, and the Gaslamp.
Little Italy is centrally located and only a 10-minute drive from Balboa Park, Liberty Station, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, Golden Hill, North and South Park, and Point Loma.
Find Your Home in Little Italy Today!
Little Italy is the perfect home for foodies and families seeking a strong community feel. The proximity to the San Diego Bay helps keep summer festivals and days at the park cool, and there’s always something going on. If Little Italy sounds like the neighborhood for you, let us help you find your home! As San Diego locals, Downtown Condo Guys can share the insight and experience you need to find the perfect property.
Whether you are interested in buying or renting, contact us today to find the perfect place for you!
