Little Italy

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
January 17, 2015

According to Wikipedia, Little Italy is a neighborhood in Downtown San Diego that was originally a predominately Italian fishing neighborhood. From the 19th century thru the 1970s, people from Italy led the enterprise in building boats to found the American tuna fishing fleet and canning industry based in San Diego, the "tuna capital" of the Western US. Large canneries built as early as 1911 closed in the 80s due to rising costs and foreign competition. Today Little Italy is still one of the most active downtown neighborhoods filled with Italian restaurants and retail shops, art galleries and residential units. Our reason for visiting this festive area is the weekly farmers market, better known as the Mercato.

The Mercato is 3 city blocks long filled with tent vendors (more than 150 according to their website, but I didn't count) on both sides of the street sponsored by the Little Italy Association. Its open every Saturday from 8:00 - 2:00. Each block has its own variety of produce, food, clothing, jewelry, and art...all locally grown and made. One thing we learned two years ago ...don't eat before you go. Samples are plentiful! Breads with spreads, cookies, croissants, wraps...just to name a few! The aroma of coffee, fresh strawberries and baked goods, samples along the way, musical artists, the rainbow of colors and textures of all kinds are feasts for the senses. We do take cash as some vendors don't accept cards. But even if you don't buy anything, its a great way to spend the morning!

Our Saturday ended on a happy note too. Friends Lynn and Dave and their son Richard came over for a visit...a campfire and yummy munchies at our gracious next door neighbors Ronnie and Carol's. No, we didn't break out in Kumbaya, but we did laugh a lot. It was so great to see them and catch up! And we hope to get together again before they leave at the end of the month. 

Left to right...Carol, Cooper, Ronnie, Joe, Dave, Richard, and Lynn and Allie

I have been walking with the pups and taking pictures around the KOA. Hope to get a post showing off this wonderful campground full of beautiful flowers, twisty tall trees and wonderful green grass!

Until next time, take care and...

happy trails!