Little Italy is the rather hilly neighbourhood of downtown San Diego, one time consisting of more than 6,000 Italian families that settled here to help create a thriving tuna industry.
Surviving commercial problems of one sort or another, the now gentrified area turned around and is now packed full of all things Italian, from restaurants serving authentic cuisine to interesting art galleries, delicious deli fare, fashionable boutiques and an abundance of lively festivals. With gorgeous home design stores and the help of The Little Italy Association of San Diego, Little Italy is telling its story to its visitors once again through public art displays and colourful piazzas.
Little Italy is situated almost on top of San Diego airport, where taxis can take travellers there in less than five minutes. Local buses also run from the airport, and if driving there are a fair amount of parking options available.
San Diego was discovered in 1542, though it was over 200 years later before Italians and other Europeans settled in the area, lured by the available business opportunities of the thriving tuna fishing industry. The San Diego neighbourhood of nearby Roseville is to this day still referred to as “Tunaville”.