Clay Holdren, the owner of Holdren's Steaks & Seafood on State Street in Santa Barbara, shows where the parklet used to be in front of his restaurant. Restaurants were required to remove their parklets when the city began adding pedlets, or sidewalk extensions, to the 500 block of State Street.
Clay Holdren, the owner of Holdren's Steaks & Seafood on State Street in Santa Barbara, shows where the parklet used to be in front of his restaurant. In 2025, restaurants were required to remove their parklets when the city began adding pedlets, or sidewalk extensions, to the 500 block of State Street. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo

As workers continue to install new pedlets on State Street, Santa Barbara residents have conflicting thoughts about the additions and what they mean for the future of downtown.

Earlier this week, crews began installing sidewalk extensions, called pedlets, along the 500 block of State Street as part of the city’s attempt to move dining off the road. The goal is to expand the walking space for pedestrians and relocate dining areas closer to the restaurants along the corridor.

Sandra Hell, a 20-year resident who moved to Santa Barbara from Santa Monica, said the pedlets are another example of everything wrong with State Street, adding that she rarely is in the area anymore and was there only because her mother was visiting from out of town.

“I think it was OK for COVID, but it has been four years,” Hell said. “Open it up and let the cars come through.”

She said she believes the pedlets are an accident waiting to happen and are a risk to the elderly and children. She added that the city should eliminate the new pedlets as well as parklets for restaurants along the street.

“These restaurants don’t need extra tables. They’re selfish. Eat inside,” Hell said.

Ryan Figueredo, a co-manager at Hibachi Steak House and Sushi Bar by Something's Fishy, stands by the new pedlets in the 500 block of State Street in Santa Barbara. He says he's uncertain whether the pedlets will be beneficial.
Ryan Figueredo, a co-manager at Hibachi Steak House and Sushi Bar by Something’s Fishy, stands by the new pedlets in the 500 block of State Street in Santa Barbara. He says he’s uncertain whether the pedlets will be beneficial. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo

City officials said the pedlets are a compromise that will benefit pedestrians, bicyclists and outdoor diners. Since State Street was closed during the pandemic, different factions across the community have debated whether to keep the street closed to vehicles.

Alissa Neou, who was visiting from Ventura, said she likes that State Street is closed to vehicles, and that it’s good that the city is trying to make the area more welcoming to pedestrians and investing in State Street.

Although she isn’t sure what will happen when the pedlets are officially open to the public, she is excited to see the results.

“I used to work on State Street,” Neou said. “I always liked walking down State Street on my lunch breaks. I … feel like I would (never) drive down State Street when it was open. So, I don’t mind that it’s closed now.”

Bicyclist John Echeveste said he doesn’t mind if the pedlets take up part of the street or if State Street reopens to smaller vehicles, but he hopes that the additional space for pedestrians makes it safer for cyclists on the road.

A bicyclist rides past the new State Street pedlets on State Street, designed to make the area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.
A bicyclist rides past the new State Street pedlets on State Street, designed to make the area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo

“One of the problems I often see is tourists wildly wandering across the street without paying attention to where they’re going. So, hopefully this makes it more clear,” Echeveste said.

City Administrator Kelly McAdoo said there is no proposal to reopen State Street to vehicles. The Santa Barbara City Council voted in fall 2024 to keep it closed.

Out with the Parklets

For restaurant owners, the new pedlets come with different challenges.

Some restaurants along the street have been able to take advantage of the street closure to use parklets to offer outdoor dining or expand patio space.

Ryan Figueredo, who, with his wife, manages Hibachi Steak House and Sushi Bar by Something’s Fishy, said the new pedlets definitely feel like a “pilot program.”

“We’re not quite sure as of yet,” Figueredo said. “It could be a benefit, or it could be a hindrance. We’re trying to find that out.”

City crews began installing the new pedlets this week along State Street.
City crews began installing the new pedlets this week along State Street. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo

Figueredo said he is concerned about flooding during the winter and how that will affect the pedlets.

“We’ve seen flooding here down on State Street, so that’s a concern,” he said. “Is it possible that it’s going to get flooded? Is it going to be slippery? There are just a lot of questions.”

He added that some restaurant owners are waiting to see what the new rules will be for furniture such as tables or chairs. He said others have expressed concern that they could buy new outdoor furniture, only for the city to force them to change the style later.

There has been talk of some furniture being grandfathered if approved by the city early, but Figueredo said some businesses are still reluctant to invest in new tables and chairs.

Some owners said they are happy to see the city investing in the area, but that they are unsure about the results.

“I’m excited for there to be a sense of progress within downtown Santa Barbara,” said Niko Heliotis, co-owner of Nick the Greek. “I feel like, however, it’s bittersweet in that I think a lot of this has come to the confusion of a lot of us business owners.”

One of the complaints Heliotis said other owners expressed was the timeline to remove parklets from the street. He said owners were told in late August they had to remove parklets by the beginning of September.

He said the pedlets will allow his business to expand and that he will be able to expand outdoor dining from eight to 10 seats, up to 25.

However, Heliotis said some restaurants did not know that the pedlets were coming. He was aware of the changes because he regularly attends City Council meetings.

Clay Holdren, the owner of Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood, said he has seen worse over his 22 years on State Street. He said he’s willing to give the pedlets a chance and hopes they benefit business owners.

“As long as we can educate the public on using them properly, it could be a good thing for us. I think we give it a shot and see what happens,” Holdren said.

Although he was required to remove his parklet, he said he will be able to fit the same number of seats on the sidewalk because of the expansion. However, he understands why some restaurant owners are upset, as they will lose outdoor seating because of their location.

Holdren said his main issue today is not the pedlets and believes people are too entrenched on one side of opening State Street or the other.

Instead, he said his main concerns are people on e-bikes who zip along the street, adding that they don’t watch for pedestrians and make the area scary for visitors.

Holdren added that a lot of the people who criticize State Street have not visited the area in 10 years, when the area struggled with homeless people harassing customers. He added that the area has gotten a lot better since then and deserves a second chance.

“It’s just such a one-sided … thing with everyone,” Holdren said. “There are car people and then there are promenade people, and it’s like everyone has their own opinion. I feel like everyone should come down and at least give it a shot and see what it looks like.”

— Noozhawk staff writer Daniel Green can be reached at dgreen@noozhawk.com.