The Italian Californian: News from Italian California

Here’s a flavorful mix of Italian-related news from California:

Italian American Heritage Month in Los Angeles featured the Festa Italiana in San Pedro, drawing around 30,000 visitors. The event celebrated Italian-American contributions with music, food, and cultural exhibits.
The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) continues to spotlight Italian heritage through exhibitions like Taste of Italy and tributes to icons like Louis Prima.

Long Beach is making waves with its Italian food scene. A recent roundup highlighted 10 must-visit Italian restaurants—from classic Neapolitan pizza joints to elegant handmade pasta spots.

Brunello Cucinelli, the Italian luxury fashion brand, reported a 10.7% revenue increase in the first half of 2025, defying industry slowdowns thanks to its high-end positioning.
Meanwhile, Stellantis, the French-Italian auto giant, saw a 27% drop in vehicle output at its Italian plants, with unions citing weak demand and EU policy pressures.

Festa Italia Fisherman's Festival – Monterey 📅 September 5–7, 2025 Celebrating its 92nd year, this three-day bash features Italian food, wine, live music, Tarantella dancers, and a bocce tournament at Custom House Plaza.
San Francisco Italian Heritage Festival & Parade 📅 October 12, 2025 North Beach transforms into a sea of floats, music, and Italian pride. Events include a Queen Isabella court, cultural exhibits, and the Saints Peter & Paul Bazaar.
Los Angeles Italian Festival – Hollywood & Highland 📅 October 4, 2025 A street-style celebration with Italian food, music, and a vibrant piazza vibe.
Little Italy San Jose Street Festival 📅 October 5, 2025 Includes one of the largest Italian car shows in the U.S., wine tasting, nonstop entertainment, and authentic cuisine from Bay Area favorites.
Italian Family Festa – San Jose 📅 July 26–27, 2025 Held at History Park, this free-entry event offers grape stomping, kids’ activities, and a wine garden hosted by the Italian American Heritage Foundation.

San Diego’s Taste of Little Italy Tour just wrapped up in June, featuring 60+ tasting stations across 11 blocks. It’s a yearly tradition that turns the neighborhood into a foodie scavenger hunt.
Little Italy Food Hall in San Diego closed earlier this year, but a new hall is set to open this fall with five fresh eateries, a pasta-making window, and live music events.
Los Angeles’ Piazza Miramare in San Pedro is breaking ground as a new waterfront hub for Italian culture, promising shade, seating, and stage events managed by the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association.

Want to explore more about Italian food, music, or heritage in your area? I can help you plan a weekend around it 🍷🎶.