San Diego's Little Italy District, nestled near Downtown's North Embarcadero Waterfront, is home to one of the area's premier business districts and an innovative residential community.

Bound by Laurel Street to the north, Front Street to the east, Ash Street to the south, and the San Diego Bay to the west, thousands of Italian families settled here in the early 1900s. Along with Mexican, Japanese, and Portuguese immigrants, they toiled to build a local tuna fishing industry that became a source of great wealth for San Diego.

Today, Little Italy is known as a pedestrian-friendly community that boasts rich culture and history. New Italian-American and non-Italian business owners have helped attract some of the finest retail and residential developments in the region along its main commercial corridor, India Street. In addition, the Little Italy community serves as a model for downtown neighborhoods and urban planning both locally and nationally.

Community Meetings

Little Italy Association
Meets first Tuesday of the month
8:30 a.m.
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 1659 Columbia Street
Contacts: Steve Galasso, President
619-234-6767,
Marco Li Mandri, Administrator
619-233-5009

Little Italy Residents Association
Meets quarterly the third Thursday of the month
6:30 p.m.
San Diego Firehouse Museum
1582 India Street
Contact: Kathleen Hallahan, Secretary
619-987-4174