State Street Underpass
State Street Underpass
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasScenic Drives
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Seven straight miles of shops.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
2,400 reviews
Excellent
1,185
Very good
853
Average
254
Poor
77
Terrible
31
cohoman
Sammamish, WA2,395 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
My family walked up and down State St on a Thursday afternoon in December. This place has changed substantially since we last visited 8 years ago. It's now mainly restaurants and bars with a lot of outdoor seating. Very few shops on the street, in fact a lot of stores fronts were vacant. As you walk inland along State St front the Wharf, at some point they block off car traffic and make it pedestrian only. Even on a Thursday afternoon, there were lots of tourists walking the street. So unless you're looking for a bar or food, I'd recommend skipping this attraction.
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudia B
1 contribution
June 2022 • Couples
State street stinks (from the underpass to Victoria St - about 10 blocks). It became a big open-air urinal. Homeless everywhere. Not sure how visitors can handle the bad smell while eating outdoors. Not sure how restaurants and shops owners can handle that either. It seems like locals don’t care about it.
Nothing special about the underpass. It’s narrow. I wouldn’t walk there in the evening. It doesn’t seem safe.
Nothing special about the underpass. It’s narrow. I wouldn’t walk there in the evening. It doesn’t seem safe.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel the World
San Francisco, CA1,403 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
We stayed at a Airbnb 3 blocks from State Street and we were so glad we did. They have blocked the street off to traffic and have turned it into a festive environment. Lots of great restaurants and bars, music, bike riders, great variety of retail stores, friendly people, beautiful old theaters, magical Spanish architecture, walkable and easy stroll to the beach. We had a very enjoyable 3 day visit. Next visit we will bring our bikes.
Written 14 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Delia V
Cuernavaca, Mexico11 contributions
June 2024 • Family
Dinner at "Toma" was excellent. I'd recommend reservations. Small (maybe a 50 top). We had an excellent appetizer "Summer Blossoms", stuffed with goat cheese, pine nuts! The main course was the special "Pan seared halibut " We shall return!
Oh Oh almost forgot to give a shout out to Julien.. An excellent host/sommelier. Your kindness shown to the young graduate was appreciated ......delia
Oh Oh almost forgot to give a shout out to Julien.. An excellent host/sommelier. Your kindness shown to the young graduate was appreciated ......delia
Written 21 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LightPacker786951
3 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
State street is very different than it used to be! It's getting over run with homeless. You have these high end lovely shops but with numerous homeless right outside their doors. It's changed so much. My son and I even witnessed a homeless threatening another homeless with a knife. It's sad that the city of Santa Barbara is letting this happen.
Written 25 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerome W
4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
It’s an underpass. The city is beautiful, but this is just a piece of the freeway.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspire30468
1 contribution
State Street is the cultural and commercial hub (spoke?) of Santa Barbara. However, unless you are a high school or college student, or homeless, I would recommend very strongly that you avoid it on weekends, especially during the summer. If you want to keep your family from second hand smoke - well you're just out of luck. Every cigarette sucking redneck and eurotrash east of the Santa Ynez River is there on weekends. Each homeless person has his/her own block where they harass people for money. The smell of haute cuisine mixed with man who hasn't showered in a year permeates the sidewalk. In a word, State Street is gross. Off season is another matter, though. At least the rednecks and eurotrash are gone, and the Christmas shopping season is a real joy, with beautiful decorations and lighting, and an all around festive atmosphere. I love State Street - I just hate the smoke, odors, and tourists.
Written 16 June 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Schiegs
Laguna Niguel, CA42 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Having previously lived and worked in SB, I have seen a continual slow slide of State Street over the years. In the past, it was a delightful collection of boutiques, coffee shops, wine bars, and restaurants, all on a sun drenched palm tree lined street. Sadly, the long-term ignoring (accommodating in some cases) of aggressive panhandlers, homeless sleeping bags, dog excrement, and other eyesores has covered that old charm with an ugly patina. This is also borne out in the plethora of vacant properties.
Written 22 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leon G
Anthem, AZ1,798 contributions
May 2021
Not much to say about an underpass. It takes you under-the-pass. Solid construction. Wet. There’s an echo.
Written 7 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SLOJon
San Luis Obispo, CA776 contributions
June 2018 • Couples
We used to look forward to walking State Street on every trip to Santa Barbara. That is no longer the case. We’re not sure what has happened, but the bulk of the street is in decline. It seems like about a third of the storefronts are empty; another third are now low budget places we have no interest in entering; and another third are the kind of nice places we’ve enjoyed in the past. Two exceptions to this decline are the Funk Zone area near lower State Street and the upper State Street area around the Arlington Theater. This was sad to see.
Written 29 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are visiting the Downtown Santa Barbara area for the New Year weekend. However, I have heard that they are evacuating certain areas. I contacted our hotel & they assured me downtown Santa Barbara is not effected by the wildlife. Not sure if that was legit info or they don’t want us to cancel our reservations. Is the downtown/State street area part of this evaluation. Has anyone visited Santa Barbara in the last couple days?? Any issues with road closures? Poor air quality? Evaluations effecting the waterfront area?
Written 19 December 2017
My daughter goes to UCSB and they cancelled finals till after the new year _encourage all students to go home about 2 weeks ago, they were wearing face masks at that time and had lits of soot on their cars.
But, I belive the air quality should be better, though the Thomas Fire, recently HAVE move closer to SB region, than when my daughter live there, she stated she couldn't breathe-when the fire were furt her away.
As I am NOT a Santa Barbaraian, I'm sure that the 'locals 'would prefer you to come to SB, as the local news shows that STATE Street, the main shopping/restaurant area was fairly vacated. Most of the local students are not in SB,& can be quite chilly in early Jan & the Thomas fire is NOW 50% contain.as of 12/19.
If you have ANY lung or breathing issues, I would stay away from SB for now. If not then check the air quality, as others have posted.
Written 20 December 2017
I will be on the infinity cruisr dhip in may, can you walk from the ship to state street.
Normie
Written 11 March 2017
Best bet would be to take a hop-on, hop-off trolley. Direct, not from the ship, most ship trolley tours are none stop.
Written 12 March 2017
How much does the trolley cost that goes up and down State St?
Written 2 March 2017
I want to take Amtrak from LA for a day trip in June. Any suggestions on train seating? Depart times?
Written 7 February 2017
I think that's a great idea and it lets you off right where you want to be in SB! Call or email Amtrak for schedule. From Union Station the ride is 2 hours.
Written 8 February 2017
I am coming to celebrate our 50th wedding Anniversary,so restaurant suggestions,and other memorable things/places not to miss.We are there for three days.
Written 8 January 2017
The mission, the SB zoo (and ride the train) and eat at the Palace and La Superica, on Mipas (well worth the wait) and ...check out the views and have a drink at El Encanto
Written 8 January 2017
Heading out to Santa Barbara for my bff bachelorette . Any recommendations on any hotels ? We like to have fun so NOT looking for anything peaceful ,!!!
Written 17 August 2016
My daughters birthday where should I take her...steak..elegant ...?
Written 7 July 2016
I would agree Lucky's in Montecito is pretty great!
Written 7 July 2016
When visiting we always want to park at the tips/ends of the strip, Micheltorena Street on one end and Cabrillo Blvd. on the other end by the beach and Stearns Wharf. This is a very good stretch to traverse but worth it for me and my wife who want to take our time and enjoy the place, the shops, old buildings and the architecture, and enjoy the process of sifting through the variety of eating places. Cabrillo Blvd. would be best to park if you have the time and walk up State Street until the shops end, turn around using the other side of the street and go down back to the beach. If limited time, I suggest park at Micheltorena St. or Sola Street and start walking down State Street and turn around where the main shops end or wherever you wish. Multiple trips/visits to the place would point to your preferred starting point to park and walk.
Written 6 June 2016
I like to know if it's a crowdy, busy street ? I love to be in a place with a lot of people/tourists.
Written 30 March 2016
It generally is on weekends and during the summer. Moderate traffic during the week.
Written 28 September 2017
I'd like to know where to eat the best vegetarian food...My vacation is coming,I will spend 11 days in SB starting to Feb.29 and I don't eat meat at all...any suggestions? Thanks, Dorina.
Written 18 February 2016
Hi Dorina
Bistro 1111 at 1111 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara its vegan
On State St there is Natural Café at 508 State St, Santa Barbara
Written 19 February 2016
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