Would love some feedback on this neighborhood in San Diego. Is it convenient to transportation, Balboa Park, other sights? Interesting and safe for strolling? Good restaurants, shops nearby? How are the b&b's/small hotels in the area, such as the Little Italy Inn or La Pensione?

Little Italy in San Diego really is a tiny neighborhood. Look up India St on google maps - basically between Date and Fir St are where the restaurants are. My fav is Cafe Zucchero.

I don't know about hotels - it's just a few blocks from downtown area. I wouldn't consider it a place tio stay or a destination, unless there was a special festival or other event.

Good restaurants, yes.

love Little Italy..uptown from downtown with some great restaurants, pubs, clubs and bars.
Cafe Zucchero is one of my fav's too!

www.littleitalysd.com

We liked Filippi's Pizza Grotto
on India. HUGE portions and great pizza. Very much NY style food. '

We had chicken parm one night and a pizza on another day. Both were very good and reasonable, not fancy place or food, basic good Italian.

Deb

We also like Filippi's. The wait line extends through the Italian market and you get to peruse many unusual (to us at least) items and watch the deli at work on your way to the restaurant. Don't over order. We're big eaters but we've left food every time.

Thanks to all for the restaurant recommendations. We might stay in the Little Italy area--there seem to be some interesting, small hotels. Would love to hear from anyone who's stayed in the neighborhood. La Pensione and Little Italy Inn have nice websites, but some of the traveler reviews on other sites are negative.

Little Italy is a nice area, good restaurants, of course...but not real convenient to many things unless you have a car. There is one trolley stop, the blue line, in Little Italy to get you to and from Old Town and Downtown.