Santa Cruz

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Santa Cruz, CA

Area Guide

California’s playground for beach lovers and wine connoisseurs.

University of California Santa Cruz Pacific California Beaches Wine Resorts Boardwalk

Welcome to Santa Cruz, where coastal living meets mountain scenery along the shores of Monterey Bay. The Santa Cruz Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to this Northern California community, known for its natural wonders and beach town atmosphere. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a California Historic Landmark, anchors the beachfront with its classic amusement rides and entertainment, while Pacific Avenue features local shops and restaurants. Housing options throughout Santa Cruz include properties in the historic district and near the University of California Santa Cruz campus. The local rental market remains competitive, with average rates of $2,139 for studios, $2,572 for one-bedrooms, and $3,562 for two-bedroom units.

Natural Bridges State Beach showcases the area's stunning coastline and hosts a seasonal monarch butterfly grove. The city's surf spots, including Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point, have helped establish Santa Cruz as a cornerstone of California surf culture. The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf extends into Monterey Bay, offering views of sea lions and harbor seals. The city's surf heritage began in 1885 when three Hawaiian princes introduced surfing to mainland America at the San Lorenzo River mouth. Notable areas include the westside neighborhood near West Cliff Drive and the eastside district along East Cliff Drive, each offering their own access points to beaches and local amenities.

Rent Trends

As of November 2025, the average apartment rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $2,252 for a studio, $2,628 for one bedroom, $3,551 for two bedrooms, and $3,640 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Santa Cruz has increased by 1.7% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,628/month
578 Sq Ft
House
$4,392/month
1,098 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Santa Cruz, CA

Transportation

81

Very Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.

36

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

93

Biker's Paradise

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

Do you prefer to get around on two wheels? You’ll love living in this neighborhood, which is considered a biker’s paradise.

Schools

De Laveaga Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

488 Students

Happy Valley Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

120 Students

Westlake Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

472 Students

Brook Knoll Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

464 Students

Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

232 Students

Mission Hill Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

544 Students

Shoreline Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

441 Students

Branciforte Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

389 Students

Santa Cruz County Special Education School

Public

Grades K-12

100 Students

Santa Cruz High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,092 Students

Harbor High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,023 Students

Santa Cruz County Special Education School

Public

Grades K-12

100 Students

Santa Cruz County ROP

Public

Grades 10-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Moore Creek Preserve
  • UCSC Arboretum
  • Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
  • Neary Lagoon
  • Natural Bridges State Beach

Airports

  • Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
  • Monterey Regional

Top Apartments in Santa Cruz

Houses for Rent in Santa Cruz

Property Management Companies in Santa Cruz, CA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.