Get to know Little Italy
Our Vision
Little Italy of Los Angeles is more than just a sign on the street; it represents an acknowledgment to cultural history, a community of caring neighbors and a space where visitors and residents alike can discover elements of what makes Italy special.
Inclusivity is among our top priorities. We know that Los Angeles is a multicultural metropolis. This district is not meant to exclude other ethnic groups in our community; rather to invite them to the table to enjoy a slice of La Dolce Vita here in beautiful San Pedro.
Our projects include working with the City of LA to construct a state of the art piazza, or “town square” that pays homage to the fishing community and also gives off Mediterranean-Californian aesthetics.
About us
Our Mission
Little Italy of Los Angeles is a central gathering spot to highlight the lives, language, culture, and stories of Italians & Italian-Americans in Los Angeles.
Residents and visitors alike are welcome to experience the rich and lively Italian culture through hospitality, shopping and cultural events. Nestled right in the epicenter of the last remaining ethnic enclave of Italian Americans in Los Angeles, San Pedro has over a century of Italian history embedded into its roots.
The new downtown district is an innovative partnership among the Los Angeles Little Italy Association.
Who's Involved
Our History
Over 310,000 people of Italian descent call Los Angeles home, yet there has been no central gathering place to honor their essential role in our cities founding. Until now. Little Italy of Los Angeles is to reside in the downtown district of San Pedro, this waterfront community is home to the largest remaining enclave of Italian Americans in Los Angeles with a history that dates back to over a century.
At the beginning of the 20th century, our coastal community, which is home to the Port of Los Angeles, one of the biggest in the country, welcomed approximately 10 percent of the region’s Italian population. Immigrants flocked here from seaside villages in Genoa, Sicily and islands off the coast of Naples, most namely Ischia, which actually become designated as a sister city in 2006, with the the City of Los Angeles. Many San Pedrans of Italian descent choose to stay in San Pedro generation after generation, much like a small town in Italy, because there is a strong sense of community and keeping up traditions thanks to institutions such as the Italian American Club, Trappeto Club and Mary Star of Sea church.
We hope our Little Italy of LA district can help memorialize the impact the Italian and Italian American community has made on San Pedro and encourage visitors to appreciate and acknowledge our history.
For more historical resources please visit:
Historic Event 1
Ea aperiam inermis pri, ceteros detraxit quo at. An possim molestiae eam
1978
Ferri omnis ad quo, vocent forensibus in qui. An nec scripta voluptua
1987
Eum primis vidisse apeirian no. Vim suscipit accusamus maiestatis ei.
1993
Ea aperiam inermis pri, ceteros detraxit quo at. An possim molestiae eam
2001
Ferri omnis ad quo, vocent forensibus in qui. An nec scripta voluptua
2021
Eum primis vidisse apeirian no. Vim suscipit accusamus maiestatis ei.
Introducing Our Leaders
Executive Board
Mike Gatto
Chair
Gino Gaudio
VP
Josephine Ciaramitaro
Secretary
Nicola Serragiotto
Treasurer
Board of Directors
- Andrea Landi
- George Palaziol
- Anna Russo
- Mario Amalfitano
- John Bagakis
- Paula Ciaramitaro
- Christian Colamarco
- Michelle Buscaino-Crow
- Giancarlo Lauro
- Giampaolo Mancuso
- Carmela Funiciello
- Rosemarie Spinoso
- Hal Dash
- John DeGirolamo
- Mike Cammareri
- Steve Bullock
- Linda Grimes
- Marcella Leonetti-Tyler
- Deborah Zara Kobylt
- Chris Riboli
- Anna Manunza
- Nino Palma
- Paul Pacheco
- Frank Buono
Join Us
Friends of Little Italy
Check out our levels of giving and what they support. Make your donation count.
What it supports: Amici del Cuore Level of $50 supports our virtual and in-person programming, such as the weekly San Pedro Farmers Market, educational culture videos & a bi-weekly Little Italy of Los Angeles Podcast.
Amici d’Oro Level of $100 supports our virtual and in-person programming, such as the weekly San Pedro Farmers Market, educational culture videos & a bi-weekly Little Italy of Los Angeles Podcast.
The Benefactor level of $250, in addition to programming, contributes toward our “Fontana del Pescatore” fund, constructing the centerpiece of our future piazza.
The Patron level of $500 helps support, programming, “Fontana del Pescatore” fund and our annual Italian Language Scholarship Program.
The Stella D’oro level of $1000 helps support programming, “Fontana del Pescatore” fund, our annual Italian Language Scholarship Program and our business location initiative.
