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  1. Building Photo - 126 Serra Ct
    3 BEDS, 2 BATHS
    $8,300
    Total Monthly Price Total Monthly Price New
    Base Rent$8,300
    Required Monthly FeesNone
    Total Monthly Price$8,300

    126 Serra Ct

    126 Serra Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    Apply
  2. Building Photo - 1743 Escalona Dr
    4 BEDS, 2 BATHS
    $9,500
    Total Monthly Price Total Monthly Price New
    Base Rent$9,500
    Required Monthly FeesNone
    Total Monthly Price$9,500

    1743 Escalona Dr

    1743 Escalona Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    Apply
  3. 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS
    $4,000
    Total Monthly Price Total Monthly Price New
    Base Rent$4,000
    Required Monthly FeesNone
    Total Monthly Price$4,000

    1332 Thompson Ave

    1332 Thompson Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    Apply
  4. 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS
    $9,200
    Total Monthly Price Total Monthly Price New
    Base Rent$9,200
    Required Monthly FeesNone
    Total Monthly Price$9,200

    713 Lighthouse Ave

    713 Lighthouse Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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Santa Cruz at a Glance

Average Rent

$2,704
(All bedrooms and property types)
Learn more about
Average Rent in Santa Cruz
8

School Rating

out of 10 Rating
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Schools in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA Houses for Rent

Santa Cruz stretches along the northern edge of Monterey Bay, where the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has welcomed visitors since 1907 as California's oldest surviving seaside amusement park. Apartment seekers in Santa Cruz will discover a coastal community defined by surf culture, a historic downtown, and easy access to the Santa Cruz Mountains. Founded in 1791 with the establishment of Mission Santa Cruz, the city now hosts about 60,000 residents across 16 square miles of coastline and hillside neighborhoods.

Renting in Santa Cruz means enjoying both beach and mountain recreation. Neighborhoods range from the westside near West Cliff Drive to the eastside along East Cliff Drive, plus areas surrounding the University of California Santa Cruz campus. Downtown's Pacific Avenue serves up shopping and dining, while the Municipal Wharf and Natural Bridges State Beach deliver waterfront fun. Highway 1 links Santa Cruz to Silicon Valley employment centers about 30 miles north, and Highway 17 cuts through the mountains to San Jose. The city's apartment communities include spots in the historic district, near campus, and throughout residential neighborhoods-each offering different access to beaches, trails, and local amenities.

Renting in Santa Cruz

Average Rental Rates and Apartment Sizes

Top Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods in Santa Cruz

(For 1 bedroom apartments)

Education

Public University
Public University
Public University
Public University
Public University
GreatSchools Rating
Santa Cruz High

Public High School

Public
Grades 9-12
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Harbor High

Public High School

Public
Grades 9-12
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Santa Cruz County ROP

Public High School

Public
Grades 9-12
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Mission Hill Middle

Public Middle School

Public
Grades 6-8
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Branciforte Middle

Public Middle School

Public
Grades 6-8
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Shoreline Middle

Public Middle School

Public
Grades 6-8
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Westlake Elementary

Public Elementary School

Public
Grades K-5
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Bay View Elementary

Public Elementary School

Public
Grades K-5
Students
GreatSchools Rating
De Laveaga Elementary

Public Elementary School

Public
Grades K-5
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Brook Knoll Elementary

Public Elementary School

Public
Grades K-5
Students
GreatSchools Rating
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary

Public Elementary School

Public
Grades K-5
Students

Data provided by GreatSchools.org 2025 © 2025. All rights reserved.

Apartments for Rent Near Santa Cruz by Neighborhoods

Apartments for Rent Near Santa Cruz

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