Downtown Santa Barbara bustling with foot traffic

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — With State Street closed to cars, many people spent the weekend walking around downtown. 

This also marked the first time in two months that many local restaurants reopened.

On Friday, the City of Santa Barbara sealed off the street blocks from Sola Street to Haley Street. This allowed State Street to become pedestrian-friendly for Memorial Day weekend. 

Cross streets have remained open to vehicle traffic.

Many restaurants owners and employees were thrilled with these new developments. 

"It's great, so many people came today,” Taqueria Santa Barbara manager Jose Solis said. “Everybody is enjoying having a seat on State Street."

"We have been waiting for this moment,” Lilac Pâtisserie co-owner Gillian Muralles said. “It just feels really exciting that we're getting back to business."

By blocking off traffic, restaurants were able to expand their patios onto public space. 

"We have taken a bunch of tables out from our inside seating and we've put a lot of them outside,” Muralles said. “They're all spaced out six feet."

One local woman loved the street’s transformation into a promenade. 

"It was such a great feeling of freedom and openness,” Susan McIntire said. “People are enjoying this and having a wonderful time."

With a large portion of State Street closed, the question remains on whether or not people will maintain proper physical distancing.

One tourist visiting for the day from Los Angeles shared his thoughts.

"I think people are doing very well, they're respecting everyone,” Marcus Wooling said. “If they're entering a restaurant or close to other people, they will put on their mask."

"I think about 80% of people are wearing masks,” McIntire said. “When you pass people, they put them on, so it's been really safe."

With noticeably more people downtown compared to the past nine weeks,  this street closure is allowing the public to gain a much-needed sense of normalcy.  

"I think it's reintroducing us back into this new normal,” Wooling said. “Getting people into a positive vibe."

"Just amazed with how many families were strolling their children,” McIntire concluded. “They've got to keep this, it's just fabulous."

City officials say this weekend will be a test run to see whether they will extend State Street's vehicle closure following this weekend.