Discovering Sacramento’s Little Italy
A Travel Guide to Italian Sacramento & the Capital Region
When someone talks about Sacramento, culture doesn’t always come to mind. It’s often the butt of jokes — labeled “boring.” But for anyone interested in history, architecture, or politics, California’s capital is surprisingly rich. I’ve always enjoyed Sacramento for its State Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion, Old Sacramento, Victorian homes, and its leafy tree-lined streets that feel more like the Midwest or New England than inland California.
There’s something almost Mark Twain–like about the paddlewheel boats on the Sacramento River, the historic Old Sacramento waterfront, and the golden Tower Bridge rising over the river. And like much of California, I was surprised to learn Sacramento also has a long Italian American history.
Italian immigrants have been settling in Sacramento since the Gold Rush, working as farmers, merchants, ranchers, and winemakers. Over time, a strong Italian community developed — especially in East Sacramento.
In fact, a portion of East Sacramento was officially designated “Little Italy” in 2021, recognizing generations of Italian families and businesses in the neighborhood.
Today, Sacramento’s Little Italy is smaller than those in San Francisco or San Diego, but the Italian heritage remains visible through cultural organizations, businesses, festivals, and community institutions — especially the Italian Cultural Society and its center in nearby Carmichael.
Why Visit Sacramento’s Little Italy
When I think of Italian Sacramento, I think of:
- East Sacramento “Little Italy” district
- Corti Brothers Italian market
- Italian Cultural Society & Center
- Italian festivals & heritage events
- historic Italian neighborhoods
- Italian restaurants & bakeries
- Italian-American institutions
This is less of a dense ethnic enclave and more of a heritage-driven Italian community.
Best Things to Do — Italian Sacramento
Visit East Sacramento Little Italy
Historic Italian neighborhood
Walk McKinley Park area
Historic Italian-American families nearby
Corti Brothers Italian Market
Sacramento Italian institution
Italian Cultural Society & Center
📍 6821 Fair Oaks Blvd, Carmichael
Italian language classes, museum, events
Italian heritage neighborhoods
East Sacramento
Land Park
Midtown
The Italian Cultural Society offers language classes, festivals, exhibits, and heritage programs for the regional community.
Suggested Sacramento Italian Itineraries
Quick Visit (1–2 Hours)
Drive East Sacramento Little Italy
Visit Corti Brothers
Walk neighborhood streets
Coffee at Italian café
Half Day Italian Sacramento
Start — East Sacramento Little Italy
Walk — McKinley Park
Lunch — Corti Brothers deli
Drive — Italian Cultural Society (Carmichael)
Browse — cultural exhibits
Full Day Italian Sacramento
Morning — East Sacramento Little Italy
Lunch — Italian restaurant
Afternoon — Italian Cultural Center
Explore — Midtown Sacramento
Dinner — Italian restaurant
Festivals & Italian Events — Sacramento
Italian Cultural Society Events (Year-Round)
Tutti a Tavola Italian Cooking Class
Italian Car & Motorcycle Show (2026)
Italian American Heritage Day / Festa Italiana
Italian Family Cultural Events — Italian Cultural Society
Italian Cultural Society Contact (Main Organizer)
Other Italian-Related Events (Sacramento Area)
Italian Heritage Month Events
Italian Language & Culture Events
Best Place for Updated Event Info
Best Places to Eat — Italian Sacramento 🍝
Corti Brothers (Italian Market + Deli)
Sampino’s Kitchen at Joe Marty’s
Sampino’s Towne Foods (Italian Deli)
Piatti Sacramento
Adamo’s Kitchen
OBO’ Italian Table & Bar
Roma II Pizzeria & Italian Market
Italian Markets & Bakeries — Sacramento 🧀🥖
Corti Brothers
Sampino’s Towne Foods
Roma II Italian Market
Selland’s Market Cafe (Italian Items)
Best by Category
Hotels Near Sacramento Little Italy
Citizen Hotel
📍 926 J St
Hyatt Regency Sacramento
📍 1209 L St
Sheraton Grand Sacramento
📍 1230 J St
Fort Sutter Hotel
📍 1308 28th St (near East Sacramento)
Residence Inn Sacramento Midtown
Near Little Italy area
Transportation — Italian Sacramento
Nearest Airport
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Driving
Best option for visiting Italian sites
Light Rail
Downtown Sacramento lines
Parking
Street parking in East Sacramento
Downtown garages
Walkability
East Sacramento is very walkable
Little Italy Sacramento — Interactive Map
A Blogger-friendly map of East Sacramento’s Little Italy area, the Italian Center, Italian restaurants, markets, cultural organizations, and nearby museums and attractions.
Italian Organizations — Sacramento 🇮🇹
Here are Italian organizations in Sacramento, with addresses, contact info, and links, just like the other sections.
Italian Cultural Society of Sacramento / Italian Center
📍 6821 Fair Oaks Blvd
Carmichael, CA 95608
📞 (916) 482-5900
📧 italy@italiancenter.net
🌐 https://www.italiancenter.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianCulturalSocietySacramento
Sacramento’s primary Italian cultural organization offering language classes, festivals, lectures, and heritage programming.
Italian Cultural Society (Sacramento Office)
📍 2791 24th St
Sacramento, CA 95818
📞 (916) 482-5900
🌐 https://www.italiancenter.net
Administrative office and programming location for Italian cultural activities.
Italian American Heritage Organizations (Regional / Sacramento Area)
UNICO National (Regional / Northern California chapters)
Italian American service organization promoting education, culture, and community service across local chapters nationwide.
Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (California)
🌐 https://www.sonsofitalyca.org
Fraternal Italian American organization with lodges across California including Northern California.
Italian Catholic Federation (Northern California)
Catholic Italian-American organization promoting faith, charity, and heritage.
National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
National nonprofit representing Italian American interests, education, and culture.
Italian American One Voice Coalition
National advocacy organization combating anti-Italian bias and promoting Italian American heritage.
CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR ITALIAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS (COPOMIAO)
🌐 https://copomiao.org
📘 https://www.facebook.com/COPOMIAO
Coalition of Italian American organizations nationwide.
ITALIAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FORUM
🌐 https://www.ialforum.org
📘 https://www.facebook.com/ItalianAmericanLeadershipForum
Leadership collaboration network for Italian American organizations.
NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
🌐 https://italianamericancaucus.house.gov
Bipartisan congressional caucus addressing Italian American issues.
Local Cultural & Community Organizations
Sacramento Italian Cultural Society Dance & Language Programs
📍 Italian Center — Carmichael
🌐 https://www.italiancenter.net
Offers:
- Italian language classes
- folk dance groups
- cooking classes
- cultural events
Italian Heritage Programs — Sacramento Area
Hosted by:
Italian Cultural Society
Italian Center — Carmichael
Includes:
- Italian movie nights
- lectures
- travel to Italy presentations
- heritage celebrations
Italian Organizations Summary
Primary Sacramento Organization
Italian Cultural Society / Italian Center
Regional / Northern California
Italian Catholic Federation
OSDIA (Sons of Italy)
UNICO
National Organizations
National Italian American Foundation
Italian American One Voice Coalition
These groups collectively preserve and promote Italian heritage in Sacramento and the Capital Region.
Italian Neighborhoods — Sacramento
East Sacramento (Little Italy)
Land Park
Midtown Sacramento
Southside Sacramento (historic)
Italian immigrants were concentrated in multiple Sacramento neighborhoods, with East Sacramento becoming the primary Italian district after WWII.
My Take
Sacramento’s Little Italy is quieter than San Francisco or San Diego, but that’s part of its charm. It’s not touristy. It’s subtle. You have to look for it — in neighborhoods, organizations, markets, and festivals.
And once you start looking, you realize Italian Sacramento is still there — just woven into the fabric of the city rather than concentrated in one small district.
Very nice!! Sacramento mentioned 🗣️🗣️🗣️
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