San Diego CA— Italian culture is known for romanticism and in Little Italy, there’s always amore in the air! Whether you’re celebrating love with your significant other, your boys or your gals, nothing beats spending Valentine’s Day weekend strolling our lively neighborhood, supporting our local shops, and taking in the sunshine. That’s amore!
But First, Café – In Italy, and in our neighborhood, caffeine is a must! Stop by one of our local cafes for just the right treat to get your day started at Caffe Italia, James Coffee Co, or Frost Me Café & Bakery. Now with your café in hand, you’re ready to stroll through the neighborhood.  Find yourself enveloped in the bay breeze and sunshine as you walk through the Piazza della Famiglia – the “heart” of Little Italy.

 For the Gals

• Picnic in the Park – Ready for your picnic at Waterfront Park? Little Italy has all the accoutrements you need to create a special meal. Stop into The Market By Buon Appetito or Mona Lisa Italian Foods where you’ll find a variety of meats and cheeses for your Valentine’s Day charcuterie board. For true, rustic Italian style bread and pastries, you won’t want to pass up Solunto Ristorante and Bakery and Nonna + Zucchero or grab some fresh handmade pasta from Assenti’s Pasta.
• Shop Your Heart Out – Make sure you take the time to spoil yourselves with a unique and thoughtful gift from the neighborhood’s one-of-a-kind shops. Show your love through pampering with luxurious soaps, fragrances, candles, and other apothecary and household items from Love & Aesthetics. Of course, every holiday deserves a new outfit or accessory. Find just the thing that makes your heart sing with a new outfit from Valmare Boutique. Accessorize your look with earrings, necklaces, and other accessories from Stroll Boutique. If you want to make this Galentine’s Day truly memorable, check out Irelia Fine Jewelry for a little something that sparkles!

For the Boys

• Boys & Brews – They say Saturdays are for the boys, and what better way to spend it than with your own brewery tour in Little Italy. With breweries like Ballast Point, Bolt Brewery, Mikkeller Taproom, Stone Brewing, and Burgeon at The Arbor you’re bound to have an amazing time hanging out, while enjoying some sun on the patios.

 For the Couples

• Dinner Date – Enjoy a romantic meal for two outdoors with the twinkling lights. Feast on everything from house made pastas at Barbusa or Bencotto and hand-tossed pizzas at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto to MICHELIN Guide recognized bento boxes at Cloak & Petal and fresh oysters at Ironside Fish & Oyster Bar. Little Italy has everything your culinary heart desires and then some.
• Prosecco Toast – End the night with a romantic stay at one of Little Italy’s beautiful hotels – Porto Vista Hotel, Carté Hotel or Hotel Republic. Nothing like a nice glass of prosecco, while taking in the city views, to end your evening.
• The Sweetest Treat – Dessert anyone? Grab a scoop (or two) of ice cream from Salt & Straw. Enjoy a scoop of gelato from Bobboi or some gelato topped with espresso from Pappalecco. For something on the lighter side, check out Holy Paleta or Pop Pops Paletas for a variety of frozen pops made with all-natural ingredients or pick out an assortment of petit desserts from Extraordinary Desserts.