Feb. 20, 2013 -
PRLog -- SAN DIEGO – Little Italy Association (http://www.littleitalysd.com/)
(LIA) is proud to share its roster of the top 10 reasons Little Italy is the hottest neighborhood in San Diego. For vacationers considering a trip under San Diego’s sunny skies, Little Italy is a destination full of life; it’s attractive for all visitors who crave an Italian experience. In recent years, there have been a host of enhancements made to the neighborhood’
s boutique hotels and extraordinary restaurants have opened next door to favorites in existence for 50 plus years.
For 2013, the top 10 reasons Little Italy is San Diego’s hottest neighborhood for travelers are:
1)
It’s a historic neighborhood with an amazing locale. Founded by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s, the once small fishing village sits just west of the stunning San Diego bay front. With breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay, those in the neighborhood at dusk will witness spectacular daily sunsets over the local harbor.
2)
Visitors get to walk everywhere. Little Italy makes up 48 walkable square blocks of history, entertainment and leisure. Travelers do not need a car. A flight to San Diego Airport brings passengers just a taxicab away from Little Italy. San Diego is host city to the Car2Go (
http://sandiego.car2go.com/) program providing electric vehicles that are available per use. Best of all, Little Italy is home to its own trolley stop, bringing access to nearby Old Town, Gaslamp and more.
3)
Best Italian food in San Diego. Home to both San Diegan and visitor favorites alike, diners can choose from a large selection of restaurants boasting authentic Italian flavors. From Filippi’s Pizza Grotto (
http://www.realcheesepizza.com/web/locations/sd.html), a family owned pizza shop serving for over 50 years, to Isola (
http://www.isolapizzabar.com/), a trendy pizza bar providing a fresh, inspired twist on Italian traditions; Little Italy hosts plenty of variety. It is no surprise that “Best Italian” restaurant, as voted by
San Diego Magazine (http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/) can be found in Little Italy: Bencotto Italian Kitchen (http://lovebencotto.com/)
. These are just a few of more than 50 delectable eateries located in the area.
4)
Arts and culture opportunities abound. Visitors can enjoy various cultural attractions in Little Italy. Guests can enjoy a delicious Italian meal followed by a scenic One-Mile-Walk (http://www.littleitalysd.com/
points-of-interest/
one-mile-walk/)
down a designated route to get a feel for the neighborhood. Families can explore Amici Park (http://www.littleitalysd.com/
points-of-interest/
amici-park/), featuring Bocce ball courts, a small amphitheater and a large green playing field. Visitors come from all over the world to the historic Italian National Parish, Our Lady of the Rosary (http://www.littleitalysd.com/
points-of-interest/
our-lady-of-
rosary-churc/)
Catholic Church, which served as a core resource in keeping the community together over the last century. Nearby museums include the Firehouse Museum (http://www.sandiegofirehousemuseum.com/)
in Little Italy or the nearby Maritime (http://www.sdmaritime.org/)
and USS Midway Museums (http://www.midway.org/)
, which are iconic San Diego destinations.
5)
Shops are locally owned. With over 70 stores and galleries in the area, those looking to do some shopping are in luck. Stores range from the antiques and furnishing shop, India Street Antiques (http://www.indiastreetantiques.com/)
, to fashionable high-end accessories shop, Masquerade Art of Living, to the quaint cupcake shop, Adore Cupcakes (http://www.iadorecupcakes.com/)
- providing a plethora of options for quite the shopping spree.
6)
It is home to top chefs and mixologists in San Diego. There are many dining options outside of steadfast Italian Cuisine such as the popular gastropub Craft & Commerce (http://www.craft-
commerce.com/)
, or well-received newcomer PrepKitchen (http://www.prepkitchen.com/
little-italy)
. Satisfying a sweet tooth is certainly an easy task in Little Italy as gelato can be found around every corner in local favorites including Pappalecco (http://www.pappalecco.com/)
, Caffe Italia (http://www.caffeitalialittleitaly.com/)
, Café Zucchero (http://www.cafezucchero.com/
home.html) and more.
7)
Boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts fit a range of traveler demands. Little Italy welcomes visitors with a selection of many fine hotels, bed & breakfasts and even short-term lease accommodations. Choose to stay at one of the many boutique hotels offering charm and value such as La Pensione (http://www.lapensionehotel.com/)
, Hotel Vyvant (http://www.hotelvyvant.com/)
and Porto Vista (http://www.portovistasd.com/)
. For a more quaint and homey feel, The Italian Bed & Breakfast (http://www.theitalianbb.com/)
provides an elegant get away in the heart of San Diego. For longer stays, options such as the Vantaggio Suites (http://www.vantaggiosuites.com/)
or Villa Catarina (http://www.villa-
catarina.com/)
offer urban sanctuaries for visitors to reside.
8)
It’s easy to have fun in Little Italy. Visitors do not have to map out a perfect itinerary, months in advance. Once visitors arrive, they are welcomed by local shop and restaurant owners. The Little Italy district makes for a guaranteed eventful evening with wine bars, beer tasting rooms, art galleries, and public piazzas all within reach. Little Italy Association also hosts a full calendar of free events in the neighborhood such as Little Italy FESTA!, (http://www.littleitalysd.com/
events/little-
italy-festa/)
Carnevale (http://www.littleitalysd.com/
events/little-
italy-carnevale/)
, ArtWalk (http://www.missionfederalartwalk.org/)
and more. For details, visit www.littleitalysd.com.
9)
Little Italy North brings a shopping and dining experience all its own. Visitors can walk a few blocks north in Little Italy and can expect to find an array of shops and dining destinations. With focus on home design, shoppers can discover Architectural Salvage (http://www.architecturalsalvagesd.com/)
, San Diego's unparalleled source for period building materials; Antiques on Kettner (http://www.antiquesonkettner.com/
AOK2/index.php?
aok_https=off)
, a unique antique store; and Mixture (http://www.mixturehome.com/)
, a modern and contemporary home furnishings and accessories store. Dining and drink options center around exciting atmospheres with an emphasis on local taste. Examples include 98 Bottles (http://98bottlessd.com/)
, featuring craft beers, fine wine and sake with back room entertainment;
Bottlecraft (http://bottlecraft.myshopify.com/)
, a boutique beer shop hosting the best of San Diego’s craft brews; and the Waterfront (http://www.waterfrontbarandgrill.com/)
, San Diego’s oldest tavern. The art scene is bustling with multiple art galleries featuring everything from old masters to contemporary and modern. Some examples include Meyer Fine Art (http://www.plmeyerfineart.com/)
, Jacqueline Lavenu Studio (http://lavenustudio.com/)
, and Subtext (http://subtextgallery.com/)
.
10)
La Dulce Vida! Life is sweet in Little Italy. The colorful community is full of life, fun, and joyful bliss. Every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, more than 90 vendors bring fresh flowers, produce, artisan made goods and more that make up the Little Italy Mercato (http://www.littleitalysd.com/
mercato/), recognized as one of the best farmers’ markets in the country.
Visit www.littleitalysd.com for more information including informational videos, gallery of images, hotel and restaurant directories and more.
