Option 1: Fly into Santa Barbara (SBA).

There are no nonstop flights from Detroit to Santa Barbara. Most routes are one stop. Good connections include:

-Salt Lake City on Delta

-Chicago, Denver, or San Francisco on United

-Phoenix or Dallas on American

-Denver or Las Vegas on Southwest.

- United flies LAX to Santa Barbara nonstop.

The airport is small and about 15 minutes from downtown.

Option 2: Fly nonstop into LAX, then continue to Santa Barbara (about 2–3 hours)

Detroit–LAX nonstops are often cheaper and have more flight times. From LAX you can:

Rent a car. About 95 miles up the 101. Plan on 2–3 hours depending on LA traffic, and avoid weekday rush hour (if possible).

Train. Take an uber to Union Station, then the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner along the coast. It's slower but beautiful.