24 Best Things to Do in Little Italy San Diego

Great Italian wine is practically as synonymous with Italy as its cuisine! The Little Italy neighborhood is home to a number of wineries, wine bars, and vineyards.

On the Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tour, you can sample the offerings of multiple different wineries while also learning about the history of the neighborhood and the winemaking process. This is a fun tour that’s incredibly informative, but the big draw is the wine and food samples you’ll get to enjoy as you walk down India Street. As a premier San Diego tour , it also makes our list as one of the Best Things to Do in San Diego’s Top Neighborhoods!

The Vino! Vino! Tour departs from Vino Carta, 2161 India St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA. Meet your guide here, then proceed to three different venues on the walking tour.

Combining the best of both worlds in food and drink, it’s easy to see how the Little Italy Booze and Bar Bites Tour is another clear choice as one of the Best Things to Do in San Diego, regardless of neighborhood.

Not only will you have the chance to learn about the storied past of Little Italy, including the way it transformed from fishing village to culinary hotspot, but you’ll also get to sample offerings from local pubs, rooftop bars, breweries, and restaurants. You can expect to enjoy a wide range of cuisine that is as diverse as the neighborhood’s population.

The tour usually departs Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 5:00pm from 550 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA. On the Booze and Bar Bites Tour, one thing’s for certain: you won’t leave hungry!

Little Italy is best known for its wide array of authentic Italian food, fusion dishes, and delicious drinks. Taste your way through the neighborhood on the Little Italy Food Walking Tour, where you’ll have the chance to try samples from many different restaurants serving a variety of bites, all while supporting local businesses and learning a little about the town.

This slow-paced walking tour is perfect for the adventurous foodie, as you’ll get to taste many popular local dishes from various family-owned and operated businesses. Learn about Little Italy’s history, which is rich with tales of immigrants and vibrant culture, and get a first-hand look at how the neighborhood has developed in recent years.

Top off your evening with a sweet scoop of classic Italian gelato - this is one attraction where you’re guaranteed to leave satisfied!

Located at 1572 Columbia St., in the previous home of San Diego Fire Station No. 6, the Firehouse Museum has been in operation since 1962. This unique Little Italy museum displays all kinds of firefighting memorabilia from the last 100 years, and it’s a great place to learn about local firefighters and notable blazes throughout San Diego’s history.

Check out various kinds of firefighting gear, including past versions that are still in use today, all while recognizing the valiant efforts of fire marshals, chiefs, dispatchers, and firefighters that have helped keep their hometown safe for decades. The museum also has its own gift shop where you can purchase firefighting apparel and other commemorative items.

As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Southern California, Little Italy is full of history!

Learn about its unique past as you tour the sights on the Gaslamp/Little Italy Walking Tour, one of the Best Things to Do in the Best Neighborhoods in San Diego. This fun sightseeing tour includes stops outside the Victorian buildings of 5th Avenue of the Gaslamp Quarter, Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House, the Waterfront Park and Piazza della Famiglia in Little Italy, and both the artisan Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market.

Tours are wheelchair accessible, last about 3 hours, and are done in time for dinner! Build up an appetite, take in the sights of Little Italy and the nearby neighborhoods, and enjoy an incredible meal to finish off the evening!

If you’re interested in learning about Little Italy and the surrounding neighborhoods as well, you can’t go wrong with the Old Town San Diego: Hop-On Hop-Off Narrated Tour.

In addition to stopping at various points of interest throughout Old Town, Coronado, Balboa Park, and the Gaslamp Quarter, this bus tour also travels through Little Italy, giving you the option to ride the bus all around the city.

This tour features live narration from onboard conductors, making it a great way to learn fun facts and interesting trivia about the area. Its greatest feature is its flexibility, as you can jump on or off at any of the bus’ 12 stops. The tour is a great way to get around many of San Diego’s most popular neighborhoods or just fit in a few stops between other activities on your itinerary.

The tour also has a 2-Day Hop-on Hop-off San Diego Trolley by Old Town Trolley Tours version as part of the Explorer variety of the Go City San Diego pass. Get 2-day unlimited access plus combine it with top area attractions like the San Diego Zoo in nearby Balboa Park, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Downtown, or a San Diego Harbor Cruise by Hornblower Cruises on the beautiful San Diego Bay to maximize your discount!

Use the discount code GVSD5OFF and save even more!

There are few better places to get pizza than in Little Italy. Of the many Italian eateries serving up authentic slices you can’t get anywhere else on the West Coast, Filippi’s Pizza Grotto is one of the best, and it’s earned its place as a beloved local favorite.

This family-owned restaurant serves pizza with a variety of classic toppings, as well as authentic traditional Italian sandwiches, pasta dishes, and salads. There’s also an extensive wine menu if you’re dining in.

Be sure to stop by and check out the store inside as well, which includes pantry staples and a fresh deli counter. The restaurant also features live music in the evening on the weekend.

A discounted entry ticket to the USS Midway Museum gets you access to hop aboard a real Aircraft Carrier with the longest serving history of the entire American fleet. Now docked along the Embarcadero, the USS Midway has an extensive Naval history, as it played a pivotal role in many military conflicts, most notably the Battle of Midway during WW2. Learn all about this exciting history when you visit the museum, and be sure to take a photo in front of the famous Unconditional Surrender, a.k.a. The Kissing Statue.

Discount Admission to the USS Midway Museum is available when you purchase an All-inclusive Go City San Diego pass, which also nets you free and reduced entry fees to dozens of other San Diego attractions across the city!

Classic gelato is perhaps the most famous Italian dessert, and you can try authentic gelato and fresh ice cream for yourself at Bobboi Natural Gelato in Little Italy. This gelateria serves up a variety of staple and seasonal flavors to hundreds of customers on especially warm days in San Diego, so it’s a must-try for vacationers seeking the ultimate Little Italy experience.

Bobboi’s gelato and sorbet is made in-house with locally-sourced ingredients. They boast a 90% organic ingredient rate, making them one of the freshest ice cream purveyors in the city. There are vegan and dairy-free options offered as well to suit any dietary restrictions, so all are welcome!

Experience the beautiful sight of the bay from a luxury sailboat, completing the picture of decadence with a drink in your hand, when you take the Sights & Sips 2-Hour Sunset Cruise on San Diego Bay. This overview of the harbor area features a variety of specialty cocktails and tasty light bites that are sure to keep you refreshed as you tour around the San Diego Bay during seaside happy hour.

True pampering awaits during your cruise, where the crew will see to your every need as you enjoy the view. Bring a camera to snap a few photos of the bay during sunset, and look out over sun-lit landmarks like the USS Midway, USS Ronald Reagan, Seaport Village, and Coronado Bay Bridge.

When thinking of Italian cuisine, hearty pasta dishes and delicious pizza is sure to come to mind first, but wonderful wines are sure to follow closely behind. Try an authentic Italian wine of your choosing at Davanti Enoteca, a restaurant in Little Italy that’s also known for its famous Davanti burger.

The extensive menu at Davanti Enoteca has options that are designed to appeal to anyone, with plenty of pasta, chicken, beef, sandwiches, eggplant, seafood, vegetarian options, and desserts. Have a four-course meal, or go just for the wine and a slice of cheesecake - either way, the upscale atmosphere and tasty food and drink options are sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters.

The Waterfront Bar and Grill was established on December 5, 1933, making it the oldest tavern that still remains in operation in all of San Diego, and one of the oldest taverns along the West Coast. As a result, it has become a local legend and favorite hangout spot, popular enough to sell its own merch in a commemorative gift shop, but the drink menu and fun atmosphere is the real draw of this bar.

Choose from a selection of national and local craft beers, wines, and mixed drinks, and pair your choice with tasty Mexican themed entrees and appetizers. Dine on burgers, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, and platters while kicking back and sharing a drink or two with friends.

San Diego’s farmers markets are a great way to connect with the local community and pick up a few odds and ends, whether you’re looking for farm-fresh produce, premade meals, or gifts. In Little Italy, you can find the Mona Lisa Italian Market, which hosts many vendors selling authentic Italian meals, ingredients, and other staples. Try out something new, check out the wares on offer, and enjoy being surrounded by the atmosphere of a real Italian market.

The Mona Lisa Market also has an attached restaurant where you can enjoy hot meals made with traditional recipes passed down through generations. Stop in for a delicious dinner, or swing by for a few drinks and a deli sandwich during lunch.

San Diego is characterized by its close connections to both the ocean and the shore, and you can experience both on a San Diego SEAL Tour.

These “sea and land” excursions give tour-goers the best of both worlds without compromising on either. Board a unique vehicle equipped to travel city streets just as well as it navigates the bay, and see all manner of exciting local attractions as you take in the sights.

SEAL Tours have a special focus on San Diego’s military history, so they’re perfect for vacationers who are interested in learning about the city’s extensive Naval history. Listen to live narration as you relax and let the Hydra-Terra ferry you through Shelter Island, the Downtown area, and the San Diego Bay, where you can look out over the Naval vessels that call the bay their home!

There are hundreds of incredible places to dine in Little Italy, but the authentic Herb & Wood Restaurant still manages to stand out among the competition.

The restaurant features a delicious menu of Mediterranean cuisine, complete with dinner, desserts, and an array of cocktails. Brunch selections are also a great choice, especially on the weekends. The restaurant is beloved for its welcoming yet classy atmosphere, which is great for everything from family meals to more romantic evenings.

Herb & Wood serves up rustic dishes that take simple staple ingredients and elevate them to new heights of flavor. Mediterranean palettes meet Californian ideals of sustainability, all while creating a charming homey atmosphere with a hint of elegance.

No visit to Little Italy is complete without popping over to the Embarcadero for a tour of the San Diego Bay!

Consider taking the Harbor Sightseeing Cruise for the perfect laid-back way to see the city’s oceanside landmarks. You’ll have the opportunity to climb aboard a huge luxury yacht as you cruise around the harbor. Look out over famous points of interest including seafaring vessels from the Navy Surface Fleet, all against the beautiful backdrop of the San Diego skyline and the bay itself.

The sightseeing cruise includes professional commentary from the ship’s captain, featuring plenty of interesting fun facts and tales from the past at each landmark. The narration also includes information about local conservation efforts for wildlife and their bayside habitats.

Are you an arts and crafts enthusiast, or are you looking for some unique gifts to take home as souvenirs? If so, be sure to stop into the BLICK Art Materials supply store in Little Italy, where you can purchase all kinds of crafting supplies perfect for any DIY project. Let the creative juices flow as you browse the aisles, or look for cute art pieces and statues that make the perfect home decor additions. Souvenirs are fairly priced with everything from high-end professional pieces to discounted one-of-a-kind finds!

In addition to selling a large catalog of supplies, BLICK art supply stores also support the community by partnering with local artists and art-centric organizations, so you can feel good about your purchases. Keep an eye out for events held throughout the year which include charity drives, art showcases, and more.

Get a comprehensive overview of all the best sights in the city on the San Diego City Tour, which traverses through all the best landmarks, historic locales, points of interest, and beautiful vistas around the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and La Jolla neighborhoods. This tour provides great photography opportunities with an array of scenic views along the coast, plus participants will learn a lot about the city’s most interesting sights further inland.

Tours depart from Five Star Tours & Charter Bus Company, 1050 Kettner Blvd Suite D, San Diego, CA 92101, USA bright and early at 9:30 a.m. so you can skip the traffic and see the sights before the crowds arrive.

Italian wines are some of the finest available, and you can sample them to your heart’s content at M Winehouse. This quaint wine bar is a great spot to share a glass or two with friends while enjoying some light bites. The outdoor decks offer the perfect stop for an evening conversation or a ladies’ weekend vacation. If you discover a new favorite, purchase a bottle to take home.

While the wine bar itself is new, the building is not, and these charming elements have been retained and combined with modern design. Each element of M Winehouse culminates in a gorgeous antique ambiance, from the French bistro inspirations of the interior to the classy yet natural decor of the outdoor patio. Drink wine while absorbing the local culture, or simply enjoy San Diego’s sunny weather in style.

Forget walking around the city - skip the sore feet and traverse the road by scooter instead! On the Downtown and Gaslamp Loop Scooter Tour, you’ll have the freedom to visit various locations throughout the Gaslamp Quarter and Downtown areas at your own pace, all while the scooters’ built-in GPS helps guide you through the city with confidence. Listen to the pre-recorded narration for interesting facts about historic landmarks and neighborhoods, such as how San Diego’s Italian population grew in what would later become Little Italy.

Both informative and exciting, the loop scooter tour is one of the best ways to navigate the city while also learning about all the little things worth appreciating that make the area so unique.

If slow cruises aren’t your thing, skip the yachts and seek out a heart-pounding ride full of excitement with the Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride!

This exciting tour of the bay is set to pumping rock music which serves as a backdrop for your thrill ride around the harbor. Your captain and tour guide will establish a playful and fun-loving vibe with humorous and interesting anecdotes about the bay’s famous landmarks.

While the blazing fast speeds of the jet boat are fun, special care is taken to ensure all passengers have a safe ride, so you can travel free of worries and simply enjoy the feeling of the wind in your hair.

Another great method for touring San Diego at your own speed, the GPS Talking Tour Cars: Downtown & Balboa Park lets you decide where you want to go and what experiences you want to prioritize as you cruise through the city on talking tour cars. These Storytelling cars are equipped with GPS so you’ll always know how best to navigate, and the pre-recorded narrations will highlight interesting sights and other landmarks as you pass them by in Downtown San Diego.

In addition to touring through Little Italy, the Talking Tour Cars are also designed to drive through Balboa Park, which is filled with examples of Spanish renaissance architecture, and Hillcrest, which is a hub of restaurants and cute boutiques just waiting to be explored!

Looking for the best way to see everything San Diego has to offer, while also riding in style? Look no further than the Driving Day Tour with GoCar Luxury, where you’ll get to drive around in an upgraded Storytelling car equipped with GPS and informative narration.

Rent a Vanderhall Upgraded GoCar for the entire day and traverse locations both near and far - stay local in Balboa Park and the Gaslamp Quarter, or branch out to the beautiful beaches of Sunset Cliffs and Pacific Beach. Real adventures can also explore the scenic neighborhoods of Bankers Hill and Mission Hills.

However you want to explore the city, enjoy the freedom of these luxury, 2-person vehicles. Pick up your car from 3918 Mason St, San Diego, CA 92110, and spend the day visiting all the best points of interest.

If driving a GoCar or scooter doesn’t appeal to you, it might be more interesting to travel by E-bike. If so, take a Self-Guided E-Bike Tour, which comes in either 2-hour or 4-hour rental options. These tours are great for big groups as you can all rent bikes together, but they’re also a fun way to see the city as a family or even for couples.

E-bikes give you the freedom to stop and start the tour at your own leisure, so you can grab something tasty for lunch in Old Town or stop to walk through the Rose Garden at Balboa Park. Other notable stops on the tour include Bankers Hill and the San Diego Zoo.