35 Cities That Feel Like a Different Country Without Leaving the U.S.

9. Monterey, California – A Taste of Old Sicily

While San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood is known for its Little Italy, Monterey offers something even more special—an Italian fishing village frozen in time. This charming coastal town was once home to thousands of Sicilian immigrants who arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bringing with them centuries-old fishing traditions that would shape the region's economy and culture. Today, Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf and the historic Cannery Row still echo with the flavors and stories of these early settlers, making it feel like a seaside village straight out of Sicily. Monterey’s Italian influence is most evident in its incredible seafood scene, where family-run restaurants continue to serve authentic Sicilian dishes passed down for generations. Enjoy a bowl of cioppino, a rich tomato-based seafood stew filled with fresh-caught Dungeness crab, shrimp, mussels, and clams—an Italian-American dish that originated in California’s fishing communities. For a true Sicilian experience, order fresh calamari prepared in the classic Italian way—lightly battered and flash-fried with a squeeze of lemon. And of course, don’t leave without indulging in a homemade cannoli—crispy pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta cream, just like they make in Palermo.