Little Italy in San Diego

Yes! We actually got out of the house early today.  I'm sitting outside Starbucks in Little Italy.  

We drive through this neighborhood (that borders downtown) every time we come to San Diego, but I've never really noticed it. 

Last week when dropping Smita at the airport we stopped at this Starbucks and we walked down the street.  Although none of the shops were open, I fell in love.  I can't believe that we never came here before! (or maybe I can, many trips, but always short, so having 2 months here has been perfect for discovering all the places we have been missing)  

Ernesto had a meeting and dropped me off with my computer at 10am.  I'm 2 minutes  from the airport and right under the flight path.  Dammit!  Delta just flew by. I couldn't get my camera out fast enough.  I had to settle for this one.  Northwest really is Delta.  It just hasn't been painted yet. 

Sitting outside with the sun shining on me, planes flying above and a view to the harbor and downtown.  What can I say? Life is good.  oh! here comes another plane.  Its a good picture, but...it's Southwest.

Anyhoo, Little Italy is only a handful of streets filled with restaurants, boutiques, shops and bars. From what I could see it's a nice mix of modern and tradition too.  This fountain is beautiful covered in hand painted Italian tiles.  

Old brightly painted cottages  (apparently were once fisherman's homes) are now cute little boutiques.  This one made me laugh....maybe a bit too Italian?

There seemed to be "community" here as well.  People out and about.  Boldly colored contemporary condos, many of them  live/work spaces.  I really loved that all the restaurants had seating spilling out on the sidewalks...and people were actually sitting out. Oh! The abundance of cute places was overwhelming, I wanted to sit down for an espresso at each one. Never too hot to sit outside in San Diego.  Is there anything bad about this city?  Oh yes, the price of a house...I forgot.

Also in Little Italy is Architectural Salvage.   I visited once 8 years ago, and I never forgot how cool it was.   This unique store is jam packed with antiques and salvage items.  Grates, gates, glassware, doors, door knobs, door knockers, stained glass, keyholes....Its worth a look folks.

I am so hooked on San Diego!  To see what others are hooked on this week visit Hooked on Houses.

Also Check out Melissa's Beautiful Life posts over at the Inspired Room....I would say this qualifies as a beautiful life, wouldn't you?