Six thousand families of Genovese and Sicilian origin once called this home. The salty sea air, ready-made port, date palms, bougainvillea, geraniums, olive trees, and cactus plants reminded many Italians of their sunny fishing villages back home. They painted their tiny wooden bungalow homes the colors favored by their ancestors.

They built their own boats, fished with hand-sewn nets, cultivated fruit and vegetable gardens, made fresh pasta by hand, and baked golden loaves of sesame-topped Italian bread in igloo-shaped backyard ovens. Come discover hidden neighborhood Little Italy landmarks that chart their story through time!