Which feature of Google Maps allows users to see an area at street level?

The feature that allows users to see an area at street level in Google Maps is Street View. This functionality provides panoramic views from positions along many streets across the globe, allowing users to virtually explore environments as if they were there in person. It is particularly useful for gaining a better understanding of locations, planning routes, and visualizing specific areas without needing to physically visit them.

In contrast, the Satellite View provides a bird's-eye perspective of the earth, displaying real satellite imagery, which is great for seeing geographical features and overall layouts but does not enable immersive street-level exploration. Map View offers a simplified, two-dimensional representation of areas with roads and landmarks, which is useful for navigation but does not capture the details and surroundings that are visible in Street View. Earth View, while it may provide a stunning visual representation of the planet's surface through 3D imaging, also lacks the street-level detail that Street View offers. Hence, Street View is uniquely equipped to present a detailed view as one would see directly from the street.