Engaging Community. Supporting State Street.

Guided by community input, we are proud stewards of local philanthropy entrusted to create innovative and inclusive initiatives in support of the city’s long term reimagining of Santa Barbara's historic State Street and Downtown Corridor.

See what we do

Vacant to Vibrant

Friends of State Street launched Vacant to Vibrant with Maker House, transforming an empty State Street storefront into a thriving creative space that drew visitors, supported local artists, and showed what’s possible downtown.

Explore the activation

Native Plants Are Changing State Street

Friends of State Street helped transform the 1200 block with California native plants that save water, support pollinators, and celebrate Santa Barbara’s natural landscape.

Explore the plants

Outstanding in the Field

Friends of State Street brought Outstanding in the Field to Stearns Wharf for the first time, creating a historic oceanfront dining experience that celebrated local food, community, and the magic of Santa Barbara.

Learn more

Bringing Color to State Street

Friends of State Street helped bring the Asphalt Art Project to life by supplying painters, paint, food, and on-the-ground support — turning a public space into a vibrant community canvas.

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FRIENDS OF STATE STREET

Bringing our Community’s Vision to Life.

State Street's future will take time. Friends of State Street is helping move it forward now, bringing people, businesses and partners together to test ideas and launch projects.

Community Engagement

Engagement

We are on State Street every day. We listen, then bring those real-world voices into the work we do to bring vitality and vibrancy to State Street.

Action on State Street

Action

We turn your ideas into real-world pilots, activations and collaborations you can see, use and experience on State Street.

Action on State Street

Impact

We track what people use, love and respond to, then share what we learn to inform future decisions on State Street.

SINCE 2020

Our Community Impact

Private donations invested on State Street

Volunteer hours for pilots and activations

Collaborations with the city, businesses and organizations

Pilots and activations launched

Pro bono executive leadership hours

WHAT OUR COMMUNITY SAYS

Voices That Inspire Us

This allowed me and my mother to spend the entire day downtown.

- Loop Shuttle Rider

Love that there is a place to sit in this beautiful plaza! This gives me a place to relax with a friend.

- Local Resident

This is so fun and makes me want to come back to Santa Barbara!

- Loop Shuttle Rider

Good vibes all around! Highly recommend!

- Loop Shuttle Rider

This is amazing and important work and I hope to see this everywhere.

- Local Resident

Love the project, keep it up!

- Local Resident
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OUR FEATURED PROJECTS

Putting Ideas Into Action

Descriptive alt text Economic Development

Vacant to Vibrant

Turning empty spaces into lively places through art, creativity, and community. Learn more

Descriptive alt text Mobility

State Street Loop Pilot

A free shuttle pilot making downtown more accessible. Learn more

Descriptive alt text Sustainability

Native Plant Pilot

Partnering with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Learn more

See more of the work we do.

SUPPORTING PARTNERS. POWERING PROGRESS.

Community Impact Partners

Eji Event Co.
Michael Towbes Plaza
Michael Towbes Plaza
Michael Towbes Plaza

Eji Event Co.

Santa Barbara Paint Depot

Tidy Seas

Delgado's Quality Painting

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