SAN DIEGO AMORE: Tastes of Italy Family Adventure in SoCal - where to VISIT, DINE and UNWIND with your Famiglia for a memorable "That's Amore" adventure!
San Diego was one of our primo favourite spots in Southern California ('SoCal') for SO many reasons – the phenomenal food scene, the sky-high palms dotting the avenues, the mesmerizing sunsets and the Cali-cool SD vibe. We find a little slice of Italy wherever we go one of our most memorable days in San Diego was immersing in sights, tastes and experiences that felt like we teleported to Italia Bella. Here's a mini itinerary for a 'Tastes of Italy' theme day in San Diego with your Famiglia – where to VISIT, DINE and UNWIND for a memorable "That's Amore" adventure:
*Disclosure: some experiences highlighted herein were hosted as a member of the International Travel Writers Alliance. As always, opinions are my own.
VISIT LITTLE ITALY SAN DIEGO
One of the best ways to soak in the top sites of San Diego – the hop on hop off experience aboard the Old Town Trolley! We took the Old Town Trolley to Piazza della Famiglia in Little Itlay SD for a stack of Milano-style pizza pies from Ambrogio15 inside Little Italy's Food Hall and devoured them outdoors with views of the fountain. Ambrogio15's Burrata e Prosciutto Crudo pizza is ranked one of San Diego's top 10 best pizza pies by The San Diego Union Tribune – verified dee-lish! Stay for live music in the piazza after sunset or attend the Little Italy Mercato (Farmers Market) on Saturdays to support local food producers.
DINE AT ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
Reserve a table at Garage Buona Forchetta for a delizioso family feast of authentic Italian pastas, pizzas and dolci (*some drizzled in Nutella – "Straccetti"*) Garage Buona Forchetta is in the heart of Cornado and one of San Diego's best restos for authentic Italian fare! Try your favourite trio of Napoletana zahs al Metro!
If you have any room left, get Garage Buona Forchetta's signature sweet – Straccetti Dolci – fried dough drizzled with Nutella, dusted with icing sugar & topped with fresh berries!
The Fiat parked inside the dining room and old school arcade game were a hit with our crew too! What I really want to know is who picked the art for the restrooms?! You'll have to go to know! There's an option to soak in the soul-fuelling Cali sunshine while you dine 'al fresco' on Garage Buona Forchetta's fabulous outdoor patio too!
UNWIND WITH A ITALIAN-ESQUE CRUISE AROUND SAN DIEGO BAY
The last time my partner and I were on a gondola was in Venice circa 2007 – our last European whirl before adventures in parenting! Our private sunset cruise around the Bay and the canals of Coronado Cays with The Gondola Company was such a special way to soak in the sights of San Diego with our brood and take in a full circle la vita e bella moment.
Bring your own vino and snacks on-board or buy at check-in for a very reasonable price. The Pinot Grigio was under $15 USD and a great sip to savour during our sail. Our gondolier 'Giuseppe' was fantastic, laughed along with our on-board family shenanigans and we all had fabulous time. A Gondola ride with kids is the opposite of romancy and we loved soaking in this season of familyhood this way while making some forever-memories This is also a wonderful and very popular place for a date night or to pop the question with a unique marriage proposal – we got to see an engagement go down during our visit and again at Coronado Beach – not far from The Gondola Company!
Have you been to San Diego? Tell us your favourite things about your adventure! If you haven't been, add this to your where to wander list – there's SO much to love about SD! You'll leave saying "That's Amore!"
Useful links
https://houseofkerrs.com/san-diego-amore-tastes-of-italy-family-adventure-in-socal/