Ciao and welcome to Little Italy! This town is an absolute must visit in San Diego. Located Downtown, you’ll pass through Little Italy on your way from the airport to the Downtown nightlife. Which makes it a perfect area to take visitors! We’ve rounded up what you need to know and things you need to do in Little Italy.
Table of Contents
Parking
Parking is nastier than the Taylor – Kim feud. Grab an Uber or Lyft or be prepared to pay for parking. Street parking in the morning is possible, but any time after 4PM, don’t fight it.
Urban Boutique Hotel
If you’re bringing people into town, have them check out Urban Boutique Hotel. This contemporary hotel ranks #1 on THE 10 BEST Hotels in Little Italy. It is a small, no frills, European style facility, which allows the staff to focus more on the guest experience. This one is also included in our full roundup of Best Hotels in San Diego.
📍1654 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101
James Coffee Co
What is the best street to walk in Little Italy, San Diego? India is what you’re looking for. It has a ton of boutique shops and trendy restaurants. Also, it’s where you can find James Coffee Co. which received 39 votes from our followers for Favorite Coffee Shop in San Diego. James Coffee Co. is renowned for its single-origin beans and exclusive, expertly crafted coffee blends. Bean there, done that. Grab their Honey Cinnamon Latte which is an OG James Coffee Classic – Honey, cinnamon, night owl espresso, + milk of choice.
2355 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Ballast Point
Ballast Point is a San Diego staple dating its brews back to 1992 and one of the pioneering breweries responsible for putting SD on the craft beer map. The creators of the award-winning Sculpin IPA offer over 50 beers on tap along with a globally inspired menu. It features pub favorites like pretzel bites with beer cheese and truffle-infused buffalo wings.
Home to juicy IPAs like the Aloha Sculpin or Watermelon Dorado and malty ales like the Calico Amber Ale, Ballast Point is a local gem and a top favorite among locals and tourists alike. If you are looking for things to do in Little Italy, stop by for Trivia Tuesdays at 8PM!
📍 2215 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Underbelly
A five mile walk from the Urban Boutique Hotel is arguably the best ramen in San Diego – Underbelly. Get the Belly of the Beast Ramen and ghost peppers if you’re looking for something spicy. They also have several good vegetarian options. The fried tofu- chef’s kiss.
📍 750 W Fir St #101, San Diego, CA 92101
Born and Raised
For a fancy AF date night out, it’s 𝑩𝑶𝑹𝑵 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑹𝑨𝑰𝑺𝑬𝑫, hands down. The restaurant is straight up gorgeous. From the wallpaper to the chandeliers, to the picture perfect cocktails. Start drooling over the menu.
📍 1909 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Extraordinary Desserts
To complete everyone’s perfect evening, stop by Extraordinary Desserts. With a name like Extraordinary Desserts, they have to be pretty darn good. The shop has a ton of dessert options – pies, ice creams, cannoli, lemon bars. But their cake, that’s to die for.
Looking for a little unique experience with a date or a friend? Their High Tea is designed for parties of 2 or more. Indulge in an afternoon of gourmet loose leaf tea, savory toasts, seasonal sweet selections, and option to upgrade with a variety of bubbles. $45/ per person (tax & gratuity not included). Available Monday – Friday, 2:30PM – 5:00PM with a reservation.
📍1430 Union St, San Diego, CA 92101
Mercato Farmers Market
Thankful for San Diego sunshine and year round farmers markets. That, my friends, is why you pay the sunshine tax even when it ends up raining 500 days in one year. Guess what, the Farmers Markets aren’t afraid of a little rain and you shouldn’t be either.
Our Farmer Market vendor recommendations include Crumb Protein Donuts for being absolutely delish and also having options for EVERYONE. For the gluten-free, for the keto, for the children, and for our dear diabetic friends. Everyone deserves a donut at Crumb. You go Glen Coco!
Another shout out goes to SoulRoots. With all the plant daddies and mommies in SoCal, these indoor and outdoor plants will liven up any space. Treasure them, love them, and tell all your friends when you reproduce them.
Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market takes place on Wednesdays, 9:30AM – 1:30PM. Check out their Wednesday Vendors
📍 West Date Street from Kettner to State.
Wednesdays don’t work for you? Notta problem, stop by on Saturdays from 8:00AM to 2:00PM. Check out their Saturday Vendors.
📍 West Date Street from west of Kettner Blvd to Front St.
ArtWalk
The ArtWalk encompasses what is so special about Little Italy. Get out your calendars and mark down the date NOW. This is a site to be SEEN! Taking place in late April of each year, ArtWalk San Diego is a masterpiece. Enjoy free admission, live music, incredible food, interactive art for kids, and obviously – the most insane artwork. This includes an open-air “gallery” showcasing the work of over 250 visual and performing artists from the US and Mexico.
It’s also good for the community. ArtWalk activities help to support the mission of ArtReach San Diego, the nonprofit organization that takes high-quality visual art workshops into San Diego County K-6 schools, offering free programming to schools with no resources for art education.
Seaport Village
Honorable mention – Seaport Village. The welcoming waterfront shopping complex is a mile from Little Italy and completely walkable.
Navigate Seaport Village by using the online map and directory. In addition to live music, they also host events and holiday celebrations. We have laid out the Top Things to do in Seaport Village. Don’t wait to go. With many changes to the operations (read about that here) it’s predicted to remain as is for another 3-5 years. After that, we’ll blame the suits.
📍 849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Things to do in Little Italy
For a cheat sheet to Little Italy, check out the San Diego Travel Guide. We’ll keep creating guides that give you the local’s scoop.
