Take A Weekend To Wine, Dine, And Explore The Little Italy of Southern California
By Natasha Kayes|Published May 24, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Southern California has several unique and well-known International towns and neighborhoods, from the Danish town of Solvang to the popular Koreatown in Los Angeles. These communities are wonderful places to immerse yourself, at least to some degree, in another culture, enjoying the international cuisine, beverages, handicrafts, etc. that make it special. Ready for a European-inspired weekend of wine, pasta, espresso, and shopping? Here is a perfect way to enjoy a couple of days in Little Italy in San Diego, California.
Little Italy is located on the side of a hill in the northwest end of downtown San Diego. Originally an Italian and Portuguese fishing community, this popular neighborhood is Nowa, a beautiful area full of Italian restaurants and cafes, art galleries and home design stores, boutiques and gift shops, and contemporary condos and apartments.
Spend the morning strolling through the Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market. Open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the market fills six city blocks on West Date Street with over 150 vendors offering farm fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, meat and poultry, just, fish, bread, flowers and plants, and more. Of course, you can also shop a variety of local artisan booths.
Pick up a delicious pastry from a local baker and enjoy a hot meal from one of the gourmet food vendors before leaving the market.
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Like any Italian town, the heart of Little Italy is its central plaza, the Piazza della Famiglia, a 10,000-square-foot cobblestone plaza with a dramatic tiled fountain that connects Columbia and India Streets.
For dinner, the options are many, with authentic Italian fare all around you. But if you are looking for a historic, family-run place with chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling and consistently great food, head to Filippi’s Pizza Grotto.
Enjoy a delightful overnight stay at La Pensione Hotel, an affordable boutique hotel that oozes charm and relaxed sophistication without costing a fortune.
Mornings are better with coffee, so step into one of Little Italy’s coffee shops, like Cafe Italia, for a cappuccino and fresh pastry, or perhaps a Prosciutto and Fig Panini to start your day.
Spend some time walking around town, exploring the little side streets, popping into little boutiques and gift shops, wandering into local art galleries, etc. And don’t forget to take in the creative and colorful architecture throughout the town!
No Italian weekend would be complete without a little wine exploration, so make your way to Pali Wine Co. to enjoy wine tasting and charcuterie. You can do a little tasting first, then purchase your favorite bottle and head to the rooftop dining area or order a wine flight and do some wine and food pairing of your own.
Get here between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and enjoy happy hour specials!
It’s not exactly Europe, but Little Italy in San Diego is a great weekend escape that you won’t regret. Have you had a chance to explore this fantastic Southern California town? Share your thoughts, and your own Little Italy recommendations, with us in the comments! Follow Little Italy on Facebook for fun tips and ideas as well as events, festivals, and more. We have plenty more inspiration for you – check out our collection of trip and getaway ideas.
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