5 Things You Didn’t Know About Little Italy in San Diego

By Debbie L. Sklar

Little Italy today is one of San Diego’s most visible dining and residential districts, but much of what people see now sits on top of a far more industrial and working-class
waterfront history. The neighborhood’s transformation didn’t happen all at once, and many layers of its earlier identity are still embedded in the streets, buildings, and public spaces that remain.

Here are five things you might not know.

1. It was once a major tuna processing hub

Before restaurants and redevelopment, this area was closely tied to San Diego’s tuna industry. Italian immigrant families were central to fishing, canning, and dockside work along the waterfront. The neighborhood functioned as part of a larger working harbor economy, where industrial labor defined daily life far more than residential or
commercial activity.

2. Interstate 5 physically cuts through the neighborhood

The construction of Interstate 5 in the 1960s significantly altered Little Italy’s footprint. Entire blocks were removed, and the neighborhood was effectively separated from its original connection to the waterfront. What exists today is only a portion of the original community area that once extended closer to San Diego Bay.

3. Major tuna brands were part of the broader industrial landscape

San Diego’s tuna industry was part of the broader industrial landscape across the waterfront, including companies such as Bumble Bee Seafoods and other canning and
processing operations in the region. Over time, as the industry declined and port activity shifted, the area transitioned away from industrial use and toward residential and
commercial redevelopment.

4. Piazza Basilone reflects the neighborhood’s military connections

In the heart of Little Italy, Piazza Basilone honors John Basilone, a U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant and Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. The plaza reflects another layer of San Diego’s identity—its long-standing military presence alongside its working waterfront and immigrant labor history.

5. Its history is still central to how the neighborhood defines itself today

Even as Little Italy has changed into a dense urban district, its past remains an active part of its identity.

Chris Gomez, chief executive administrator of the Little Italy Association, explains:

“Little Italy has come a long way from its roots as a fishing neighborhood, but its history is still woven into everything you see today. The stories, traditions, and resilience of the generations who built this community are a big part of what makes Little Italy such a special place to live, work, and visit.”

That connection between past and present continues to shape how the neighborhood is experienced today, from its public spaces to its preserved historical references.

Sources:
Little Italy Association of San Diego
San Diego History Center
City of San Diego planning and redevelopment records

Debbie L. Sklar is a longtime Southern California-based journalist and editor whose work focuses on local history and community reporting. She can be reached at Debbiesklar@cox.net for story ideas and feedback.