LITTLE ITALY SAN DIEGO

Little Italy's throughout the United States have symbolized the tremendous contributions Italians have made to this country. Unfortunately, many of these historically established business districts are disappearing before our eyes. These Little Italy's are either declining due to growth of other adjacent ethnic neighborhoods or are a shadow of their former glory due to the dispersion of Italian families from these districts.

Little Italy in San Diego is different. A stable ethnic business and residential community since the 1920's, Little Italy today represents Downtown San Diego’s oldest continuous neighborhood business district. At one time, more than 6,000 Italian families lived in Little Italy and toiled to build San Diego into the center of the world tuna industry.

With the decline of the tuna industry on the West Coast and the destruction of 35% of Little Italy due to the construction of Interstate 5, Little Italy suffered nearly thirty years of decline. In the early 1990's, established property owners and family run business owners decided to take their fate into their own hands.

Today San Diego’s Little Italy is on the brink of rebuilding its greatness. New Italian American and non-Italian business owners alike are seeking retail and professional space. Creative builders and architects are building beautiful new developments and the local redevelopment agency is funding more than three million in street improvements on the main commercial corridor, India street. The Little Italy Association has aggressive plans to bring the story of Little Italy to its visitors through public art displays. Little Italy, San Diego is serving as a model for the handful of Little Italys remaining throughout the country.

Our business district is rooted in the toil of immigrants and the perseverance and optimism of a new group of business owners. The strength of their faith and the waterfront is what has supported families in Little Italy for generations.

Visit Little Italy Website.

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