Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA

Families and university faculty appreciate Santa Cruz's Eastside, where Craftsman bungalows and beach cottages create architectural charm with slightly more distance from undergraduate-dominated areas. The neighborhood extends from Harbor Beach to Pleasure Point, providing multiple surf breaks and coastal access points along scenic East Cliff Drive. Though rental rates exceed inland alternatives, many residents find the combination of beach proximity and residential character justifies the premium compared to tourist-focused areas. The primary consideration remains summer beach traffic requiring local knowledge of alternative routes during peak visitor periods. The neighborhood's location provides relatively straightforward access to Silicon Valley employment via Highway 17, creating viable ocean living possibilities for tech professionals willing to navigate the challenging mountain commute.