Little Italy San Diego Tours
6 Reviews

Once home to generations of Italian families who who made their living in San Diego’s flourishing fishing industry, Little Italy is now a lively neighborhood packed with restaurants, patio cafés, craft brewpubs, urban wineries, and little plazas with fountains and views of the bay. The trendy, walkable neighborhood—in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter—also has upscale boutiques, art galleries, chic shops, boutique hotels, and live music venues, so there is far more to experience here than just the delicious food.
The Basics
At 48 square blocks, Little Italy San Diego is the largest in the United States and is best seen on foot. The eclectic neighborhood’s charming sidewalk cafés and one-of-a-kind specialty stores are reasons enough to head to this district, with locals and visitors alike strolling the streets to get a feel for the mom-and-pop restaurants, art galleries, and retail shops that make the northwest end of downtown San Diego so famous. On Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm, the Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market draws crowds to its stalls offering fresh, California-grown produce, trendy foods, and crafts. Many visitors choose to eat and drink their way through this Old World slice of San Diego—a Little Italy food tour is a great way to explore the area.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Travelers into food and fun will enjoy Little Italy’s culinary and entertainment options.
- The heart of Little Italy is the one-way India Street, with cars able to travel only south-to-north. Most people enter Little Italy from the corner of Ash and India streets.
- Look for the landmark Little Italy sign arched over India Street at the corner of India and Cedar streets in the heart of Little Italy.
- Little Italy is a pedestrian-friendly area prime for walking tours.
How to Get There
Little Italy is located on a hill in the northwest end of downtown San Diego, a few blocks away from the Embarcadero. The district’s geographic boundaries are Union Street on the east, Harbor Drive on the west, Ash Street on the south, and Laurel Street on the north. The San Diego Trolley stops two blocks from the heart of Little Italy.
When to Get There
Little Italy is a city neighborhood, with varied opening times for the different businesses contained within it.
Festivals in San Diego’s Little Italy
Little Italy San Diego is known for several fun festivals, including Little Italy Festa! in the fall and the Mission Federal ArtWalk every spring. Halloween time brings out the trick-or-treaters, and during the holiday season there’s a tree lighting and a Christmas village.
Address: Little Italy, San Diego, CA, USA
23 Tours and Activities to Experience Little Italy San Diego
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San Diego Tour: Hop-on Hop-off Trolley
632
Explore some of the top highlights of San Diego with your silver, gold, or platinum day pass (depending on option selected) for the city’s Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour. Choose your own adventure as you get on and off the trolley at any of the 12 included stops, covering famous sights including the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway and the Cruise Ship Terminal, Little Italy, and many more. This San Diego trolley tour also features live commentary from the on-board guide during your ride.
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From
$42.00
From
$42.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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San Diego Scenic Tour
116
In just four hours, experience the scenic highlights of San Diego and its neighboring areas. Watch sea lions and pelicans on the beaches of La Jolla and capture fantastic views from the top of Mt Soledad. Soak up the Old World elegance of the mansions and Hotel Del on Coronado Island, and find peace in the urban oasis of Balboa Park. Wind through downtown and Old Town San Diego, learning about the city’s history along the way. Enjoy personalized attention on this small-group tour limited to just 14 people.
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From
$65.00
From
$65.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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San Diego City Lights Night Tour
28
Explore San Diego at night under the moonlight with this 1.5-hour city lights tour. Travel from the city’s Gaslamp Quarter to Balboa Park and the Embarcadero. Catch sights of the historic San Diego County Administration Center, the USS Midway Museum, and the Star of India. Plus ride to the top of the Coronado Bridge and see sights lit up all over the city, as well as some from Tijuana.
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From
$34.00
From
$34.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Secret Food Tours San Diego w/ Private Tour Option
4
Our city has a small town feel with an international influence, and with Secret Food Tours: San Diego you'll sample cuisine with influences from Mexico, Asia and Italy. We'll take you through one of our most culturally significant neighborhoods to get a true insider's perspective on the food culture of this extraordinary city.
All the while our guides will provide you with the stories and history that have made San Diego the world-renowned city it is today. You'll also learn lots of local tips you'll be able to utilize for the rest of your stay!
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From
$277.20
From
$277.20
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

San Diego Shore Excursion: San Diego Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley
23
Explore San Diego at your own pace with a full-day ticket to ride a hop-on, hop-off trolley through the city. Simply board the trolley at your cruise ship’s port of call and visit historic landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods at eleven centrally-located stops. Get a glimpse of California’s past in Old Town then see the magnificent ships that moor at the bustling waterfront; grab a spot on a beach to watch surfers catch breaking waves, and try to spot the famous ghost at the elegant Hotel del Coronado.
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From
$42.00
From
$42.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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GoCar Talking GoCar 2Hr Tour: Downtown & Old Town
7
Explore San Diego’s Downtown and Old Town sights in a fun and fast-paced way—on a GoCar tour. This sightseeing adventure takes the stress out of reading a map, as the car talks and shows you the way with its in-built GPS. Enjoy hearing stories as you explore the city’s most popular areas, including Little Italy, Mission Hills, Presidio Park, and the Gaslamp Quarter.
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From
$66.56
Price varies by group size
From
$66.56
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More

GPS Talking GoCar 1HR Tour: Downtown & Gaslamp
19
Make your own way around San Diego in a GoCar, a pint-sized vehicle that lets you experience the beauty of the City in Motion and visit places tour buses can't easily go – all at your own pace! With a GPS unit onboard, it's easy to stay on course, helping you see more during your tour.
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From
$36.31
Price varies by group size
From
$36.31
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More

San Diego Scavenger Hunt Adventure
3
Make San Diego your personal game board with a 3-hour smartphone scavenger hunt that leads you through the city’s scenic waterfront, historic sites and atmospheric downtown neighborhoods. Form a team of 2–5 people, then trace a 2.5-mile route through the heart of the city, on foot and using public transit. Solve a series of exciting puzzles and challenges, compare your scores to other teams, and enjoy the freedom to explore San Diego at your own pace, with plenty of time to eat, drink and sightsee.
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From
$21.34
Price varies by group size
From
$21.34
Price varies by group size

Cinematic Escape Game in San Diego
4
Try to uncover the mystery behind the elusive Lazarus Crystal during this 75-minute, cutting edge, ‘Escape Room’ game in San Diego. This real-life puzzle challenge, half scavenger hunt, half real-life movie mystery, tasks participants with escaping from a locked room using a series of clues and interactive props. Step inside this state-of-the-art Escape Room experience, complete with high-end movie effects, as you battle the clock with your teammates to solve the puzzles that will lead to your freedom. Will you succeed? There’s only one to find out!
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From
$75.00
per group
From
$75.00
per group

Platinum Balboa Park and Downtown Segway Tour
41
Explore downtown San Diego and Balboa Park on a 2.5-hour Segway tour. Follow your guide to historic sites like the Hall of Justice and Pantoja Park, then make your way through Little Italy and the expansive grounds of Balboa Park. In the park you glide past destinations including Founder’s Plaza, the San Diego Museum of Natural History, and the Inez Parker Memorial Rose Garden. Your guide provides commentary on San Diego's history and landmarks throughout the tour. Includes guide, use of equipment, and Segway orientation—no prior experience necessary.
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From
$49.00
From
$49.00
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Private Walking Tour San Diego: Little Italy and Gaslamp Quarter
Discover two of the most unique areas of San Diego with a local expert. Stroll around the cafés, restaurants and beautiful houses that the Italian immigrants shaped since 1920 in what today is the vibrant Little Italy neighbourhood. You will also visit the oldest quarter in the city; Gaslamp quarter. You will wander around renovated victorian-era buildings and restaurants, cafés, art galleries and more, while learning the fascinating history of this historical area of San Diego.
Your private licensed tour guide will be at your entire disposition during the total duration of the tour.
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From
$270.49
Price varies by group size
From
$270.49
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Private San Diego Segway Fanatic Tour
3
Explore San Diego on a private Segway tour, providing the ability to cover more ground than a walking tour but still enjoy the fresh Southern California air. With a knowledgeable guide, cruise along the San Diego Embarcadero, and see interesting sights along the waterfront. Check out areas like Little Italy and Balboa Park, and glide through the popular Gaslamp Quarter.
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From
$80.00
From
$80.00

The San Diego Shuffle Scavenger Hunt
Alley Kat Adventures is an Austin, TX-based event design company offering city scavenger hunts in 30 cities in the US and Mexico as well as custom events worldwide. Our specially hand-crafted, interactive quests are equal parts tour, cultural experience, creative challenge, detective hunt, & social experiment! Guests get to discover hidden gems off the beaten trail while completing fun missions!
Discover the history and mystery behind an old iconic theater, find a tucked away and enchanting footbridge, and end your quest at a locally cherished and wondrous topiary garden.
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From
$22.50
$7.50 savings
From
$22.50
$7.50 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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All Day San Diego City and Shopping Tour
3
Make the most of your limited time in San Diego on a 7-hour small group tour. Provided transportation takes you to each location, which spares you the stress of navigating the city’s traffic on your own. Stop to explore La Jolla, Balboa Park, Old Town, and much more. The tour also includes a free trip to Las Americas Outlet, where you enjoy unbeatable deals at 125 stores.
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From
$94.94
From
$94.94

Private City Tour of San Diego by Electric Chariot
Enjoy the unique charm of San Diego’s diverse downtown neighborhoods by driving one of our electric chariots accompanied by our experienced tour guides. Learn about the city’s fascinating history on a relaxing ride through the city’s waterfront areas. Our downtown experience tour is a two hour leisurely ride through many of the city’s featured attractions. The tour allows for personal time to shop and explore sites in depth.
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From
$150.00
per group
From
$150.00
per group

GPS Talking GoCar 2HR Tour: Downtown & Balboa
5
Zip through downtown San Diego and Balboa Park in just two hours with the use of a GPS-enabled GoCar. You and your partner will get settled, strap on your helmets, and use the provided map and GPS to get exploring. You'll cover tons more ground than you would on foot and can use the navigating devices to make your own route.
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From
$66.56
Price varies by group size
From
$66.56
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More

San Diego GPS Talking GoCar: Best Value - All Day for the Price of 5 Hours
The all day Everything Tour is fun for the whole family, and lets you see nearly everything San Diego has to offer. From the historic Gaslamp Quarter where the fun is always happening and the iconic Horton Plaza where the shopping is just as fun as navigating the mall. You will see the beautiful rose garden of Balboa Park and the natural Beauty of the Point Loma Ecological preserve where you can wade through the tide pools looking at sea anemones, crabs, lobster, fish and the occasional octopus. You can walk around Ocean Beach and San Diego’s famous Maritime Museum, experience the always beautiful Balboa park where a Family photo is a must, and stroll through Old Town San Diego and see how San Diego has changed over the centuries from the small Mission and Mexican community it was to the Most Beautiful City in America.
*If booking more than 2 people please submit separate orders!
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From
$141.22
Price varies by group size
From
$141.22
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More

Early Bird - Return By 12 Noon Special
2
SAVE UP TO $50. The EARLY BIRD 1/2 DAY SPECIAL requires the vehicle be returned to the departure location by 12:00 PM. All for the price of 2 hours in a GoCar.
Let GoCar take you off the beaten path through many of San Diego’s iconic parks like the Balboa Park and Petco Park on the way to Hillcrest and back. Snap some amazing photos along the Pacific Ocean and see the San Diego up close. You can even park and take a stroll along if you choose. On the way back explore the boutique shopping districts of Hillcrest. This tour is approximately two hours drive time at a slow pace and has several fun, informative detours and stop options along the way. If you want to extend the tour you have the option of taking the Oldtown loop at the end of the tour.
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From
$133.72
per group
From
$133.72
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More

Super Saver: Self-Guided Speed Boat Adventure & iRide GPS Guided ScooterTour
1
Electric Scooter & Speedboat Combo where you get to explore the bay in your very own speedboat then explore San Diego in your very own GPS guided storytelling scooter. This combo land sea adventure makes for the perfect day in San Diego. Both tours do not need to be taken on the same day. Just book the day and time of the speedboat portion you want online and call the number above to book your scooter tour. After your purchase is confirmed we will email you a confirmation.
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From
$161.46
From
$161.46
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

1Hr GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter
This GPS guided scooter tour takes you on a multi-cultural tour of San Diego, starting in Little Italy, where you learn about the rise and fall of San Diego’s Italian population, your tour continues past the maritime history museum, the USS Midway, and into beautiful Seaport Village. You also get to travel past Horton Plaza which just begs be visited again after the tour ends. After Horton Plaza you make your way into the heart of San Diego, with a quick loop around the Home of San Diego Padres, and into the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, which after its reinvention is MUCH more family friendly then it used to be. As you leave the Gaslamp Quarter you will enter Banker’s Hill with is unique shops, also borders the always beautiful Balboa Park.
Tour Highlights:
• Little Italy
• Maritime Museum
• U.S.S. Midway
• Seaport Village
• Horton Plaza
• Historic Gaslamp Quarter
• Petco Park
• Bankers Hill
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From
$63.11
From
$63.11
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Little Italy Walking and Wine Tour in San Diego
5
Celebrate the flavor and heritage of San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood on this walking and wine tasting tour. Learn how Italian immigrants who came to California in the 19th-century created a thriving community around fishing that has evolved into one of San Diego's trendiest food districts. Visit three of the area's best wine bars to taste fine Italian and boutique California wines, paired with traditional Italian appetizers like cheese and panini.
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From
$90.67
From
$90.67

Downtown San Diego Tour
18
Discover culinary delights in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy on this 4.5-hour food walking tour that comes with dashes of piquant history. Visit some of the city’s most popular eateries and sample Indian food, deep-dish pizza, craft cocktails, as well as organic fare. Stroll through the original Red Light District, the William Heath Davis house courtyard and by the Horton Grand Hotel. An informative guide shares historical insight and entertaining anecdotes along the way. Make sure to snap a photo with ‘Bum,’ the official dog of San Diego.
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From
$48.72
From
$48.72

Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Diego
Our city has a small town feel with an international influence, and with Secret Food Tours: San Diego you'll sample cuisine with influences from Mexico, Asia and Italy. We'll take you through one of our most culturally significant neighborhoods to get a true insider's perspective on the food culture of this extraordinary city.
All the while our guides will provide you with the stories and history that have made San Diego the world-renowned city it is today. You'll also learn lots of local tips you'll be able to utilize for the rest of your stay!
As a private tour, everything works around you! Our start times are much more easy going, dates can open up. It's a much more intimate and cozy experience. No need to shout over other tourists, you will have every question answered, and leave feeling like a native yourself!
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From
$128.70
From
$128.70
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