San Diego family guide
Things to Do in Little Italy with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Little Italy on the map
📍 Where Little Italy is
Little Italy sits in San Diego, Southern California. Nearest major airport: San Diego Intl (~2 mi / 3 km). It's roughly 111 mi (178 km) from Downtown LA — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Family attractions near Little Italy
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Little Italy.
Waterfront Park
Downtown bayfront park with a huge interactive fountain kids splash in and big lawns for play.
Free
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Historic ships including the 1863 Star of India tall ship and a Soviet-era submarine to climb through.
~$24 adult / ~$14 child
USS Midway Museum
Tour a real retired aircraft carrier on the Embarcadero with flight-deck jets and a flight simulator.
~$34 adult / ~$24 child
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Iconic round Balboa Park museum packed with real aircraft, spacecraft, and a flight simulator.
~$24 adult / ~$15 child
The New Children's Museum
Downtown interactive art museum built for kids, with climbing installations and hands-on art studios.
~$15 per person
Seaport Village
Waterfront shopping and dining village on the Embarcadero with a vintage carousel and bayfront strolls.
Free to strollLocal restaurants in Little Italy
Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar
Well-regarded independent seafood and ceviche spot in Little Italy.
Local shops in Little Italy
Vitreum
Fashionable home goods and ornamental pieces on Fir Street, including vases and refined tea sets.
Boomerang for Modern
Mod, mid-century modern furnishings and design pieces.
Be Boutique
A curated clothing and accessories boutique on India Street.
Atacama Surf Shop
Beach brands plus locally made surfboards on India Street.
Seasonal & outdoors near Little Italy
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Little Italy.
More San Diego family guides
Little Italy family FAQ
Where can families eat in Little Italy?
Local, family-friendly spots in Little Italy include Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Little Italy guide cover?
Our Little Italy family guide includes 1 local eats and 4 local shops — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.