State Street Underpass
State Street Underpass
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasScenic Drives
About
Seven straight miles of shops.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience State Street Underpass and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
111 within 3 miles
Attractions
173 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,394 reviews
Excellent
1,184
Very good
850
Average
253
Poor
76
Terrible
31
Claudia B
1 contribution
Jun 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 June 9, 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.
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 March 25, 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 March 29, 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 June 16, 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, CA43 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 May 22, 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, AZ1,461 contributions
May 2021
Not much to say about an underpass. It takes you under-the-pass. Solid construction. Wet. There’s an echo.
Written May 7, 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.
susyernie
San Diego, CA196 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Unfortunately I remember state street when it was vibrant and bursting with tourists and shops. Now you smell urine on the streets and storefronts and there are sadly homeless people on every block.
I have not encountered aggressive homeless people but it appears there are many potentially schizophrenic people wandering the streets and yelling. They have been here for years but with so many shuttered empty storefronts they have more places to hang out at.
Pervasive smell of urine.
State street is a grande dame who has seen better days and is dressed in gaudy finery but you cab see the vestiges of her beauty if you look closely enough.
I’m still glad I visited but it’s not the same as it once was
I have not encountered aggressive homeless people but it appears there are many potentially schizophrenic people wandering the streets and yelling. They have been here for years but with so many shuttered empty storefronts they have more places to hang out at.
Pervasive smell of urine.
State street is a grande dame who has seen better days and is dressed in gaudy finery but you cab see the vestiges of her beauty if you look closely enough.
I’m still glad I visited but it’s not the same as it once was
Written July 8, 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.
SLOJon
San Luis Obispo, CA839 contributions
Jun 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 June 29, 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.
conners107
florida29 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
Lots of great strolling down St. Street. Loads of shops, restaurants and bars.. We found excellent Mexican on a side street (Los Arroyas). Happy hour at the Sandbar, which really hops at night. We tried Baccatini (was recommended for Italian), but the manager got angry that my husband placed a napkin under a leg of the table to keep it from tipping. He angrily scolded him, " You should have asked first!". He was amazingly rude! We tipped our waitress for wine not touched and left. Then let others know what happened...So we all went down to Joes and it was delish~ lots of choices and everything ordered was terrific. Service is super, and we heard open for b'fast lunch and dinner. Big place for locals at the bar, very cool, like an old Boston bar. Lots of organic cafes and options on State Street.
Written July 31, 2011
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.
GKB1959
Reading, UK48 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This is not an attraction! It is a necessity to get from State Street and surrounding area to the beach and Stearns Wharf. It was very noisy but the pavement was wide and felt safe in day light. Not sure if it would in the dark!
Written August 4, 2019
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.
SoCalEve
California508 contributions
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?
Roxanne M
Huntington Beach, CA620 contributions
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.
Barbara C
Chino Hills1 contribution
How much does the trolley cost that goes up and down State St?
464mathildel
Namur, Belgium64 contributions
25 or 50 cent, not sure
Tee J
Compton, CA5 contributions
I want to take Amtrak from LA for a day trip in June. Any suggestions on train seating? Depart times?
Richard S
California233 contributions
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.
PENANGMAN
Christow, UK85 contributions
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.
Richard S
California233 contributions
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
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 ,!!!
Richard S
California233 contributions
The best hotel...El Encanto, period.
Angela N
Ponca City, OK5 contributions
My daughters birthday where should I take her...steak..elegant ...?
Heather747
Los Angeles, CA90 contributions
I would agree Lucky's in Montecito is pretty great!
Hapoelta
1 contribution
Where is the best spot to start walking in State St.?
William David L
Palmdale, CA125 contributions
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.
Alex333berg
Great Falls, VA34 contributions
I like to know if it's a crowdy, busy street ? I love to be in a place with a lot of people/tourists.
James C
Ventura, CA45 contributions
It generally is on weekends and during the summer. Moderate traffic during the week.
dorina D
1 contribution
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.
MIKE No1
Oxford, UK246 contributions
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
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingState Street Underpass - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about State Street Underpass
- Hotels near State Street Underpass:
- (0.15 mi) Hyatt Place Santa Barbara
- (0.27 mi) Los Arboles Ranch - Recreational Dream Near Hope Ranch
- (1.65 mi) Agave Inn
- (0.05 mi) Retro Cottage Oasis w/ Hot Tub by Downtown!
- (0.79 mi) Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn
- Restaurants near State Street Underpass:
- (0.06 mi) Dutch Garden Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) Restaurant OPEN
- (0.09 mi) El Rincon Bohemio
- (0.12 mi) Palapa Restaurant
- (0.26 mi) Eller's Doughnut House
- Attractions near State Street Underpass:
- (0.01 mi) Santa Barbara Club Crawl
- (0.50 mi) Sustainable Wine Tours
- (0.74 mi) iSurf School
- (0.25 mi) Jump On The School Bus
- (0.32 mi) Dodo Limo and Transportation
State Street Underpass Information
Excellent Reviews | 1,184 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 850 |
State Street Underpass Photos | 545 |