The Top Things To Do and See in Little Italy, San Diego, CA

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Waterfront Bar and Grill is a fun place to go every day of the week for their great food and drinks. While there’s happy hour daily, the fun begins on Tuesdays where chicken and fish tacos are only $2 stop by at 4 p.m. and buy them until they’re gone. Wednesdays are just as great because they are slider night where savory sliders are just $2. Stop by and enjoy a hump day you’ll never forget. The fun continues throughout the week with live DJ’s every Thursday the last Friday of the month, and first and third Saturdays of the month.

Piazza Basilone is not just a beautiful and peaceful Plaza, but a permanent public place honoring the heroism of GySgt John Basilone and ‘the boys that never came home’ from all the wars of the 20th century. Piazza Basilone features a statue, fountain, and several areas to sit. This place is great for its versatility. You can take a stroll through the plaza alone or with friends and family you can sit and people-watch or read a book while enjoying a cool beverage. You can also simply stop by to pay your respects to the fallen heroes.

The Firefighters Museum is a family friendly place to visit. Adults, children, and seniors can view firefighting memorabilia dating back 100 years. They can see everything from fire boots to an early firefighting apparatus on display. The museum was founded in 1962 and occupies the former home of San Diego fire station number 6. Well known pieces are La Jolla’s first engine, a horse drawn steamer, and piece of steel from the World Trade Center. The museum is also available to rent for any private party and is equipped with a full functioning kitchen, tables and chairs.

Considered the ‘Jewel of Little Italy’, Our Lady of the Rosary Church was consecrated in 1925 it was built mainly by a fisherman who emigrated from Genoa, Italy as well as Portuguese immigrants. You can see their influence throughout the church especially by the two statues at the front, of Christopher Columbus and st. Peter, a fisherman. The inside of the church holds beautiful paintings and murals, as well as mesmerizing stained glass windows. The church is small but that doesn’t stop it from being recognized as an architectural gem.

Local culinary hub

Each year, Taste of Little Italy is in full effect. The neighborhood’s one-of-a-kind restaurants open their doors and allow food lovers to enjoy each restaurant’s most desirable dishes including appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks. If you’re planning to attend this event, you’ll need a passport to find your way to different restaurants, who will check off your taste as you go. Taste Passports list participating restaurants and each location’s specific food offering. Traveling from restaurant to restaurant is an easy walk. Each year, about 30 restaurants participate. During Taste of Italy, visitors walk along flower and tree-lined sidewalks and enjoy live music.

Opening hour: 5 pm-9 pm

Watch out for: the different venues of entertainment

The Farmer’s Market is the best place to be on a nice Saturday. There’s plenty of visitors, vendors, and food. Stop by and stroll from booth to booth sampling fresh items like organic fruits and vegetables from over 150 local vendors. While the samples are free, if you enjoyed what you tasted, the items are available for you to buy. There are also plants to view and buy. The Farmer’s Market booms with live music. There’s never a dull moment here, and rain or shine, the artisans will take care of you.

You get the best of both worlds with Davanti Enoteca, tasty food and a beautiful decor with a lively atmosphere they offer a unique menu with one-of-a-kind meals like their ricotta and honeycomb. The food and atmosphere make it a great place to take the whole family, or maybe that special someone. If the weather is right ask to sit in the patio. They also have a unique dessert menu with cakes brownies and tarts like you’ve never tasted before. This hot-spot is known for its large patio, happy hour, and Italian food so stop by and enjoy it all.