The heart of Little Italy is along India Street, which is a one-way street. Cars can only travel in a south to nroth direction. so most people enter Little Italy from the corner of Ash and India streets.

Once you have arrived, you should begin to look for a parking space. There is a lot of parking on the streets in Little Italy and some restaurants have off street parking. So the best way to see Little Italy is on foot.

If you plan to arrive via the San Diego Trolley, you'll find that the trolley stop (18) is only two blocks from the heart of Little Italy. From the troley stop, travel east on Cedar Street to Kettner Boulevard and India Street. No matter how you get to Little Italy, you will certainly enjoy your stroll through this downtown treasure.

You don't need to start your walking tour of Little Italy at the corner of Ash and India streets, but since most of the people arrive by car via this intersection, it's a good place to begin a description of Little Italy. You can match up the numbers in the text to their location on the Little Italy map, and take up the tour from wherever you are.

The heart of Little Italy is along India Street, which is a one-way street. Cars can only travel in a south-to-north direction. So most people enter Little Italy from the corner of Ash and India streets. Once you have arrived, you should begin to look for a parking space. There is a lot of parking on the streets in Little Italy, and some restaurants have off-street parking. So the best way to see Little Italy is on foot.

If you plan to arrive via the San Diego Trolley, you’ll find that the trolley stop is only two blocks from the heart of Little Italy. From the trolley stop, travel east on Cedar Street to Kettner Boulevard and India Street. No matter how you get to Little Italy, you will certainly enjoy your stroll through this downtown treasure. India Street is the main thoroughfare of Little Italy. Along this thoroughfare you can casually stroll past quaint cafés and boutiques and enjoy the leisurely ambience of this charming village.

At the corner of India and Beech streets you’ll find Bella Stanza (6) at 1501 India St. (619-239-2929). This boutique is filled with treasures from all over Italy. Their gift selection includes Florentine notepaper and Majolica ceramics from Tuscany and Umbria.

On the next block is Masquerade: Art of Living (6) at 1608 India St. (619-235- 6564). Here you’ll find beautiful oil paintings of Venice canal scenes and the Tuscan wine country.

Across the street is an upscale and informal Italian coffeehouse called Cafe Zucchero (6) at 1731 India St. (619-531- 1731). They serve some of the best espresso in town. Then there are the pastries. Just one look and you’re hooked. A great find amongst the many excellent restaurants that line Little Italy’s main thoroughfare is Mimmo’s Italian Village (6) at 1743 India St. (619-239-3710). They offer sidewalk dining, but the real treat is to dine indoors in a village setting. And if you want true romance, ask to be seated in their intimate wine cellar.

A few doors away is one of San Diego County’s landmark restaurants, which is celebrating 60 years in business. It’s Filippi’s Pizza Grotto (6) at 1747 India St. (619-232-5094). As you walk in the front door, don’t be confused by the well-stocked delicatessen, which has boxes of canned goods piled to the ceiling. The restaurant, with its red and white checkered tablecloths and chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling, is well hidden in the back.

Also worthy of discovery is Puerto La Boca (6) at 2060 India St. (619-234-4900). This authentic Argentinean steak house is a real winner! Everything from the contemporary decor to the attentive service is first class. The upbeat atmosphere will definitely put you in a good mood for a wonderful meal.

At the corner of Hawthorn Street and Pacific Coast Highway is San Diego’s legendary Fat City Steakhouse (21) at 2137 Pacific Coast Hwy. (619-232-9303). Entrepreneur and civic leader Tom Fat made it one of San Diego’s most unique dining destinations. Hungry diners come here for their mouthwatering mesquite grilled steaks with shoestring potatoes. The eclectic restaurant has a replica of an 1800s bar, Tiffany-style lights and mahogany wood paneling all housed in a historic neon-lit building. Ample off-street parking.

Kettner Boulevard is Little Italy’s art and design studio and showroom district. Here you’ll find lots of shops filled with interior decor to beautify your home or office.

Nestled among the many shops and businesses along Kettner Boulevard is one of San Diego’s most famous watering holes. It’s The Waterfront Bar & Grill (26) at 2044 Kettner Blvd. (619-232-9656). They are well-known for their famous hamburgers.

Kettner Boulevard is Little Italy’s art and design studio and showroom district. Here you’ll find lots of shops filled with interior decor to beautify your home or office.

Nestled among the many shops and businesses along Kettner Boulevard is one of San Diego’s most famous watering holes. It’s The Waterfront Bar & Grill (26) at 2044 Kettner Blvd. (619-232-9656). They are well-known for their famous hamburgers.

On May 17, 2007 San Diego lost a great visionary and civic leader with the untimely death of businessman and community leader, Tom Fat. This hard working civil servant served or chaired numerous organizations, boards and task forces including being Chairman of the Board of the prestigious San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chairman of the Super Bowl Host Committee, President of the powerful San Diego Restaurant Association, Chairman of the San Diego Foundation, the San Diego Film Commission, the San Diego Asian Film Festival Foundation, the San Diego Chargers Task Force, The Asian Business Association and the Little Italy Association. Tom Fat and his beautiful wife Jenny became popular celebrities in the community in the late 1970s with the opening of their popular restaurant Fat City Bar and Café. Today, with its name change, this popular restaurant is called Fat City Steakhouse (21). It’s located at 2137 Pacific Coast High way. Over the years it has become a popular meeting place for hungry diners including many political and governmental leaders.

Tom’s civic-minded efforts spearheaded the revival of Little Italy primarily along India Street between Beech and Grape streets. This area has now greatly expanded in all directions. Tom came to San Diego in the late 1970s to take a major role in expanding his family’s Fat City chain of 13 restaurants. The majority of them are in the Sacramento area.

Shortly before his death, proclamations came from the California Senate, the State Assembly, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the San Diego City Council. All heralded his many accomplishments. After his death, City Mayor Jerry Sanders said, “Tom Fat was one of my heroes. He was a tireless advocate for the people and City of San Diego. He never stopped working for our communities, and he did it with unbridled enthusiasm and love.”

One of Tom Fat’s greatest legacies is indeed the revitalization of Little Italy, which has become a thriving downtown neighborhood. It has become a wonderful tribute to one man’s vision.