Don't Forget to visit the Zoo!
- San Diego Zoo
- Vincenzo Ristorante
- Caffe Italia
- Sea Port Villiage
- San Diego Convention Center
- Birch Aquarium
- Public Transportation
- AMTRAK
- Unified Port Of San Diego
- San Diego Bay Ferry
- Maritime Museum
- Old Town San Diego
- USS Midway Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Balboa Park
- Sea World
- The Gaslamp (Downtown)
- Cabrillo Monument
LaPensione Hotel is located in the Heart of Little Italy where there is always something to do
SAN DIEGO FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
San Diego Zoo
The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.
Wild Animal Park
The Wild Animal Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 400 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens. Over half of the Park’s 1,800 acres (730 hectares) have been set aside as protected native species habitat. It is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, California.
On your next trip to San Diego you can be assured of two things: the weather will be amazing and you'll discover lots to do at Seaport Village. Come explore 50-plus diverse shops, 17 unique eateries and outdoor entertainment and find everything under the sun.
ONGOING YEARLY EVENTS
Saturday Mercato (Farmers Market)
Eat, Shop and Enjoy at Little Italy Mercato Every Saturday Year Round, 9AM to 1:30PM.
The Little Italy Mercato is the city market for downtown San Diego residents and visitors with more than 70 booths lining Date Street from Kettner to Union offering farm fresh produce, artisan foods and specialty items.
CERTFIED FARMERS MARKET fruits and vegetables, herbs, flowers, eggs, cheese and more from more than a dozen certified California producers on Date Street between India and State FOOD PURVEYORS fish, bread, sauces, olives, pasta, coffee, pastry and more FLOWERS and PLANTS orchids, fresh flowers, bedding plants DINING rotisseried chicken, crepes, paninis, smoothies, Italian ices, coffee drinks and local chefs' specialties to enjoy along with the LIVE MUSIC at the Mercato. At the top of the market from State Street to Union, check out the MercARTo artisans, crafts and specialty gifts, and PET PLACE Natural pet foods and accessories, custom collars, and doggie day care at the top of Date Street near Amici Park
Need more information? Call 619.233.3769 or mercato@littleitalysd.com
Mission Federal ArtWalk San Diego will next take place on April 24 & 25, 2010 in Little Italy. The application process is now open to both new and returning artists. This event is very popular and it's best to apply as early as possible. Click here to get started right away, and go to the application info page for full details and pricing.
Back in the early 1990s, the thought of celebrating San Diego's rich Sicilian heritage was just a dream for Mario Cefalu. A native of Portocello, Sicily, Mario emigrated to the United States and soon made his mark on San Diego by opening Soluntos Bakery in Little Italy. His bread and pastries, created in the Sicilian tradition he learned as a young man, filled a void in the local culinary scene and remain popular to this day. His is one of the longest-running establishments on India Street in the heart of Little Italy.
In 1994, a dream came to fruition. In the month of October, 15 years ago, the Little Italy community opened its streets to not only San Diego residents, but the many other communities throughout the nation.
The Little Italy Association and a small group of community members organized a festival that celebrated Italian culture not only in the entertainment provided, on the one stage, but the types of vendors that were allowed to display their wares along India Street.
Taste of Little Italy was once again a sell-out event this spring. Guests enjoyed live music along India Street, great restaurants, and the always-inviting ambience of this uniquely charming San Diego neighborhood. There will be a Fall edition of Taste of Little Italy as well... check back soon for the dates.
SAN DIEGO LIVE EVENTS
Anthology is a dramatic showcase on every level; to entertain and impress with equal flair whether hosting an intimate dinner party for ten to 500 person corporate celebration. No matter how large the party, our renowned chefs meticulously oversee each dish of new American cuisine. The chic interior boasts cozy spaces for that private concert vibe or impressive, open spaces where the energy of food and music fully engage. The culinary accompaniment: Jazz, Blues, Soul, Latin, and Rock. The senses are engaged, the night memorable and the rumor is: whoever chose this place has exquisite taste.
If you're new to opera, there's plenty here for you: if you know and love opera already, our educational offerings will give you a lot to think about and will most certainly broaden your knowledge (and love!) of San Diego Opera's 2010 International Season.
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House of Blues San Diego opened in 2005 and is home to the famous Bead Wall – an entire wall covered in Mardi Gras beads from New Orleans. House of Blues San Diego also acknowledges its oceanic roots by paying homage La Siren and Agoue. In keeping with tradition, the House of Blues San Diego displays the "Crazy Quilt" and keeps a metal box of mud from the Delta Mississippi underneath its stage.
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San Diego Theatres is a 501(c)3 non-profit, public benefit corporation established to manage and operate publicly-owned performing arts theatres. We are responsible for the management, marketing, operations and maintenance of the San Diego Civic Theatre under the terms of an operating agreement with the City of San Diego. Additionally, San Diego Theatres has assumed the same responsibility for the historic Balboa Theatre in the Gaslamp Quarter under the terms of a long-term lease with the City of San Diego's Redevelopment Agency.
SAN DIEGO SPORTS
August 20, 1967: The San Diego Chargers played their first game in the newly completed San Diego Stadium. Formerly the Los Angeles Chargers, owner Barron Hilton had been convinced by local sports writer Jack Murphy to move the team from the LA Coliseum to San Diego.
In 1984, the Stadium was expanded to nearly 61,000 seats and 50 suites were added at cost of $9.1 million.
In 1997, the Stadium was expanded again when 10,500 seats, 34 suites, 4 Club Lounges, upgraded food service and two video boards were added. The total cost was $78 million, which also included a new practice facility for the Chargers.
he San Diego Chargers can trace their lineage to August 1959, when Barron Hilton met with representatives from five other cities to discuss a proposed football league, which later became known as the American Football League (AFL).
The AFL began in 1960 with eight teams, including Hilton's Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, New York Titans, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills and the Boston Patriots.
After moving to San Diego in 1961, the Chargers went on to play nine more years in the AFL. In all, the Bolts reached the AFL playoffs five times and the AFL Championship four times. They won the AFL Championship in 1963 when they beat the Boston Patriots 51-10 before 30,127 fans at Balboa Stadium.
With PETCO Park situated at the hub of the region's transportation network - directly accessible by both public and private means - guests have a number of choices for reaching and returning from PETCO Park. One of the increasingly clear favorites in 2008 was the Trolley, with over 12% of the total ballpark attendance of approximately 2.4 million fans choosing this option. For many, the Trolley remains "the way to go," as it provides safe and reliable service. For our fans traveling from the North County, the Coaster may be the most convenient option.
SAN DIEGO BEACHES
La Jolla Cove (1100 Coast Boulevard) is a very small beach, tucked between adjacent sandstone cliffs. Due to its extraordinary beauty, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. It is within a short walk of the commercial area of the community of La Jolla, but retains a character "all its own."
The Children's Pool (850 Coast Boulevard), also known as the Casa, is a small beach partially protected by a seawall. The original intention was to create a fully protected swimming area, but sand has filled in much of the area inside the wall. This is a very picturesque beach with a panoramic view. During much of the year, seals and sea lions are present on or near the beach and a reserve for these marine mammals, called Seal Rock, is just offshore.
The rocky shore of Windansea Beach (6800 Neptune Place) is perhaps best known for its beautiful scenery and surf breaks created by underwater reefs. Sandstone rocks act as partitions along the beach offering a secluded atmosphere for sunbathing. Much of the beach at Windansea experiences shorebreak, a condition on steep beaches which results in hard breaking surf right at the shoreline. Swimmers should enter and exit the water carefully to prevent spinal injuries.
The beach area north of Crystal Pier extends approximately one mile from the north end of the community of Pacific Beach to the south end of the community of La Jolla. This beach is bordered by cliffs up to 75 feet in height. A sidewalk traverses the cliff-top along much of the south end of the beach. In this area, parking is very limited.
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The beach area south of Crystal Pier is known as Pacific Beach. This beach continues south for over two miles, becoming Mission Beach and then South Mission Beach, eventually ending at the channel entrance to Mission Bay. This long beach, known as The Strand, lies directly adjacent to the residential and commercial areas of the Pacific Beach and Mission Beach communities. It is the most popular beach in the City of San Diego and draws large crowds in summer. North Pacific Beach continues to the north, but is visually separated by Crystal Pier, a publicly accessible fishing pier.
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Mission Bay Park consists of 4,235.6 acres, approximately 46% land and 54% water. There are 27 miles of shoreline, 19 of which are sandy beaches. Mission Bay was originally named False Bay by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who came upon it in 1542. In those days, it was a vast tidal marsh that could confuse mariners into believing it was the larger bay just to the south, San Diego Bay. In 1944, civic leaders began a series of steps to dredge the marsh and create an aquatic recreation facility. Today, you will find that Mission Bay is used by motorboaters, sailboaters, rowers, waterskiers, picnickers, joggers, and swimmers. It is also home to many species of birds, fish, and other animals and has a nature reserve at it's northern end near Crown Point.
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Mission Beach is the center of a continuous stretch of beach known as The Strand, which extends over two miles, beginning at the Mission Bay channel entrance and ending at the north end of Pacific Beach. The Strand is the most popular beach area in the City of San Diego and draws large crowds in summer.
ADDITIONAL SAN DIEGO INFORMATION