Little Italy is an eclectic neighborhood with charming sidewalk cafés, delightful little shops, and one-of-a-kind specialty stores, which are reasons enough to discover this downtown district. Look for their landmark Little Italy sign arched over India Street in the heart of Little Italy.

One event not to miss is their 16th annual Little Italy Festa held this year on Sunday, Oct. 10 on India Street. With 150 food vendors and activities galore, it’s an event not to miss. The heart of Little Italy is India Street which along this thoroughfare you can casually stroll past quaint cafés and boutiques and enjoy the leisurely ambience of this charming village.

Enjoy Live Music While You Dine

A perfect place to begin or conclude your discovery of romantic Little Italy is at Anthology (27) , it was recently voted San Diego’s best live music venue and restaurant. So expect to see your favorite jazz, rock and contemporary artists perform while you are pampered with excellent service and outstanding cuisine. The performers rave about this place and so will you, because acoustics and classy setting are truly state-of-the-art excellence.

Great Dining at Fat City Steak House

At the corner of Hawthorne Street and Pacific Coast Highway is San Diego's legendary Fat City Steakhouse (6). 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.

Discover Sidewalk Cafes & Restaurants

One of San Diego County’s landmark restaurants, which is celebrating 59 years in business. It’s Filippi’s Pizza Grotto (13) 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.

Enjoy One of a Kind Speciality Stores

At the corner of India and Beech streets you'll find Bella Stanza (20), this boutique is filled with treasures from all over Italy. Their gift selection includes Florentine notepaper and Majolica ceramics from Tuscany and Umbria. Across the street is Masquerade: Art of Living, here you'll find beautiful oil paintings of Venice canal scenes and the Tuscan wine country.