Almost 1.5 million people live in San Diego. Are you thinking about becoming one of them?

San Diego is a large urban area, and there are so many neighborhoods to choose from but Little Italy in San Diego is one of the best that you can choose to live in.

Why? It's high energy and has so much culture nestled into it at every turn, not to mention it has unique restaurants and fun things to do as well.

Ready to learn more about Little Italy? Keep reading!

Reasons to Consider Living in Little Italy in San Diego

San Diego is a bustling area, so it is no surprise that you would want to move there! From the plethora of beaches to the sports that accompany the beaches, if you're active, you won't be missing out on any type of activity in the San Diego area.

Not only that, but the weather is always mild year-round, so you can take advantage of outdoor activities whenever you want. It won't be too color or too warm for you. And the best part is that Little Italy in San Diego is walkable to get to all the places you want to see!

In addition to the outdoors, there's always something for the food and art lovers from festivals to delicious restaurants and markets to museums.

And, of course, the Little Italy Dog Park is the perfect place to spend time with your furry friends.

Things to Do in Little Italy

What are the most popular things to do in Little Italy? How are you going to keep yourself busy when you move here?

Here are just a few of the things you can do while living here, but there are even more than just this list!

Walk Through Little Italy's Gourmet Farmer's Market

If you're a fan of paying less for groceries, then you'll want to head to the farmer's market where you'll find anything from groceries to art and food, and even decor and flowers for the home!

There are tons of stands, so you'll want to take your time wandering through to see all of the offers.

If you do choose to go, you'll want to head out early so that you get the best pickings. The market opens at 8 on Saturdays and 10 on Wednesdays.

Visit Lady of the Rosary Church

Lady of the Rosary Church is a very popular church in the area because of its beauty and the compassion that it has for the community. They hold mass every day of the week as well as on Sundays, which tends to be longer than weekday mass.

The church was built in 1920 and is worth a visit just to see the beauty of it within.

Take One of the Many Little Italy Tours

When you first move to Little Italy, you'll want to tour the area with some type of tour. Luckily, you have the option of trying the hop-on, hop-off busses to get a real feel for the area relatively quickly without needing to walk or drive everywhere.

You can also take a walking tour with wine tastings (or make one up yourself by looking up the wineries around town!).

Little Italy's Waterfront Park

Whether you want to go on a long walk after work to decompress or need a place to walk your dog, walking along the Waterfront Park has great waterfront views as well as some culture along it, too.

Right on the harbor, you'll find a few ships that are now museums. If you're a history lover, this is a great walk to do.

Unique Restaurants in the Area

San Diego is known for its food scene. But Little Italy has some of the best restaurants in the entire city. Here are a few you'll want to try.

Mona Lisa Little Italy

Mona Lisa has been around for quite some time in the San Diego - upwards of 60 years.

Not only is Mona Lisa historically a restaurant, but it also used to supply other restaurants with food when needed. It's a delicious deli that holds onto tradition like no other in town. You can choose from the deli menu or the restaurant menu.

The deli opens in the morning through after-dinner hours while the restaurant opens around lunchtime.

Buon Appetito Restaurant

Buon Appetito is one of Little Italy's best restaurants that serves authentic Italian cuisine. Although off the beaten path, that's what adds to its charm and unique vibe, especially with its outdoor space.

When you sit down at this restaurant, you'll want to enjoy the bread, consider ordering a glass of wine, and order the Creamy Burrata.

In a city that is always bustling, Buon Appetito offers a beautiful, charming place to wind down and enjoy delicious food.

The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday from noon until 9:30 pm.

Flippi's Pizza Grotto

If you love a restaurant that passes down generations of good food and recipes, then Flippi's Pizza Grotto is the place you will want to check out right away.

Choose from pizza, macaroni, sandwiches, meat, and cheese. And, of course, order a glass of homemade Italian wine to bring out the flavor of your meal even more.

When you're there, sit back and relax to enjoy the calming vibe and cute decor inside. Or, choose to sit outside and get a little bit of people-watching in for your evening!

Flippi's opens at 11 am every day of the week.

Nolita Hall

Nolita Hall has a vibe that you don't want to miss - especially on a Friday night. But it's more than just a vibe on a Saturday night. It is also a great breakfast and brunch spot in the area.

The first thing you notice when you walk in Nolita Hall is the cool vibe of the bar, the spacious open area, and the cool decor all around. You'll notice unique architecture and tons of greenery.

Here are a few things on the menu that you don't want to miss:

• English Peas and Corn Couscous
• The Thin Crust Pizzas
• Pork Back Ribs

On top of delicious food and an all-around top-notch aesthetic, the staff and service are great as well.

Nolita Hall opens in the late afternoon during the week and for most of the day on the weekends. Just make sure to make a reservation since it tends to get busy!

Little Italy Food Hall

The Little Italy Food Hall is almost like an event within itself. It's basically a food court with one bar and six different restaurant options.

You can choose anything from lobster rolls to ramen and everything in between.

Cultural Events in Little Italy

As we mentioned before, there is a ton of deep-rooted culture in Little Italy. Wherever you go, you can feel the history around you.

Taking part in the San Diego Art Walk is one place where you will feel the richness of the area. Once a year, there is one weekend dedicated to over 300 artists that can display their art on the street.

As you walk around from one artist's stand to the next, you'll learn more about who the artists are, what they stand for, their culture, and so much more.

Another cultural event that happens yearly is the Taste of Little Italy. Stands line the street with various restaurant samplings from 5 to 9. By the time you get to your last stand, you'll be so full you'll barely be standing!

The Little Italy Christmas Tree Lighting is also a great cultural tradition in the area. Some would argue this is the best time of the year to be in Little Italy!

Living in Little Italy in San Diego

While there are so many different pockets of San Diego, Little Italy in San Diego is by far the best neighborhood.

You will surround yourself with deep culture, beautiful arts, diverse people, and amazing food. Whether you want Italian food or want to go to a restaurant with a fun vibe, Little Italy has all of that.

And there's more, too! The number of things you can do in the area is limitless. From the Waterfront Park to the plethora of museums, you won't be bored in this area.

If you're ready to make the move, we're here to help you! At Steele San Diego Homes, we've been helping people find their homes for over 10 years. Contact us today to help you find a house you can make your home!