At the grand opening of Piazza Miramare in January, the Italian and Italian American community of San Pedro (pronounced San PEE-dro) cut the ribbon on its new Italian-style piazza, providing an inviting space to gather, connect,  eat and play (music, and maybe a round or two of scopa), according to LAcity.gov.

With the largest Italian community in Los Angeles and Southern California, San Pedro now has a dedicated space that reflects this long-standing cultural tradition.Years in the making and long supported by former LA Councilman Joe Buscaino, Piazza Miramare is intended to serve as a focal point for the local Italian community and a welcoming entryway for visitors arriving from cruise lines or exploring the waterfront.

See the ribbon-cutting here.

Community members see it as the beginning of a larger effort to showcase Italian culture, history, and hospitality to the broader Los Angeles region. With the harbor on one side and historic downtown San Pedro on the other, the piazza is set to be a stage for many festivities.

There are plans for programming, arts, festivals, and food, with the annual street carnival set to take place in the new piazza.

ISDA visited San Pedro in 2021, as part of its viral doc-series, Greetings From Italian America — see the community unclose, here