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Highlights

  • Pet Friendly
  • Heated outdoor swimming pool
  • Stainless-steel appliances
  • Sleek finishes
  • Wood-style flooring
  • In-unit washer/dryer
  • Well-equipped fitness center

Location

1630 Merrill St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
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Contact

Management

Rutherford Management Company

Leasing office

(831) 280-9088

Open 

9:00 am–6:00 pm PT

Property Overview

Breakwater Apartments is rated highly overall, with strong marks for value, location, amenities, and trustworthiness. It stands out for competitive pricing, a well-equipped fitness center, heated outdoor swimming pool, stainless-steel appliances, sleek finishes, wood-style flooring, and in-unit washer/dryer, plus convenient access to nearby schools and pet-related services.

This summary uses Zumper’s proprietary data. “Zumper Expert Ratings,” “Things you’ll love,” and “Great for” are based on our internal analyses of market trends and renter insights.

Zumper Expert Rating

8.4
Very Good
With a solid 8.4 out of 10 overall, Breakwater Apartments is a great option for renters. While some aspects, like Quality, might not be as distinguished as other properties nearby, Breakwater Apartments has a number of attractive features—namely its Price— so you can be assured your rent will come with a high standard of living.

Things you’ll love

  • Less expensive
  • Middle school nearby
  • Elementary school nearby

Great for

  • Pet owners

Floor plans

1x1A1 bed1 bath624 sqft$2,895–$3,310 /mo1 unit availableWelcome to the A1 Floor Plan in Santa Cruz, offering a thoughtfully crafted 1 bed 1 bath layout with a consistent 624 sq ft of living space. This modern design features high-end amenities, ensuring a comfortable lifestyle. Relax and unwind in your personal sanctuary or enjoy community offerings that cater to a contemporary living experience. Contact us today to schedule your tour of this exceptional floor plan.
2x1A2 bed1 bath860 sqft$3,690–$4,949 /mo4 units availableThe B1 Floor Plan offers a comfortable and flexible 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom living space right in the heart of Santa Cruz. Spanning a spacious 860 square feet, this thoughtfully crafted floor plan features modern designs and high-end amenities, catering to your every need. Enjoy an open-concept layout that integrates seamlessly with dynamic amenities, offering a convenient lifestyle within a vibrant community. Contact us today to schedule your tour of this exceptional floor plan.
2x1.5THA2 bed2 bath923 sqft$3,911–$5,054 /mo3 units availableThe B2 Floor Plan offers a thoughtfully crafted 2 bed 2 bath layout in the beautiful city of Santa Cruz. Encompassing 923 sq ft, this apartment is designed for convenience and comfort, including modern living amenities that fit effortlessly into your lifestyle. Enjoy innovative design features and take advantage of our dynamic amenities such as a fitness center and in-unit laundry. Embrace the vibrant Santa Cruz lifestyle with this floor plan. Contact us today to schedule your tour of this exceptional floor plan.
3x2A3 bed2 bath955 sqft$4,216–$5,717 /mo5 units availableThe C1 Floor Plan is a thoughtfully crafted living space located in the heart of Santa Cruz. Spanning 955 square feet, this 3 bed 2 bath layout combines functionality with modern design. Enjoy a lifestyle defined by comfort with high-end finishes that elevate your living experience. Whether you are keen on entertaining guests or seeking a peaceful haven, the C1 offers a versatile setting to meet your needs. Contact us today to schedule your tour of this exceptional floor plan.

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Amenities for Breakwater Apartments

Appliances

In-Unit Laundry

Building

Cats OKDogs OK
Onsite Laundry
Units, floor plans, amenities, dimensions, details, availability, and prices may be approximate and subject to change. Please contact a community representative for more information.

Policies and fees

Applicants

Application Fee

Per-applicant. Refund Policy: Non-refundable fee. Application Fee.

$42

REQUIRED FEES

Deposit Received

One-time. Refund Policy: Refundable fee. Deposit Received.

$1,200

OPTIONAL FEES

Dog Policy

Allowed
Limit2

Cat Policy

Allowed
Limit2

Cat

Monthly Pet Fee

Monthly. 2 cats max. We welcome dogs and cats and allow up to two pets per apartment. There are no weight restrictions on dogs. Restricted breeds are not allowed.

$35

Pet Fee

One-time fee per pet.

$35

Dog

Monthly Pet Fee

Monthly. 2 dogs max. We welcome dogs and cats and allow up to two pets per apartment. There are no weight restrictions on dogs. Restricted breeds are not allowed.

$50

Pet Fee

One-time fee per pet.

$50

SITUATIONAL FEES

Questions about this property’s policies and fees?

Building details

Property details

Year built1972
Units100
Lease terms3–12 months
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About Breakwater Apartments

HomeApartments in Santa Cruz Breakwater Apartments

Discover Breakwater Apartments, a coastal community in Santa Cruz offering modern one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and townhomes. Each home boasts sleek finishes like stainless-steel appliances, wood-style flooring, private balconies or patios, and in-unit washer/dryer. Community amenities include a heated outdoor swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and easy beach access just steps away. Located near UCSC, Dominican Hospital, shopping, and dining, Breakwater blends relaxed seaside charm with everyday convenience.


Year Built: 1972

Zumper Expert Rating

Our expert rating is based on a weighted average score of property attributes that renters care about most: price, amenities, location, quality, and trust.
8.4
/10
Very Good
With a solid 8.4 out of 10 overall, Breakwater Apartments is a great option for renters. While some aspects, like Quality, might not be as distinguished as other properties nearby, Breakwater Apartments has a number of attractive features—namely its Price— so you can be assured your rent will come with a high standard of living.
How we rated Breakwater Apartments
Price·10A score that weighs the cost and location of the property, which we calculate by comparing rent prices of recent units to the median price of nearby rentals, adjusting for overall quality and features.
Breakwater Apartments offers an excellent balance between price and value. It's priced competitively for its amenities, location, and other key features. Compared to the median price per bedroom in the area, this property is less than, or about the same as, nearby rentals, so residents can expect great value without too many compromises on their desired standard of living.
Amenities·8A score based on the amenities offered at this property compared to other rentals in the area. We consider the quantity, quality, and popularity of features both on site and within the units.
With multiple in-demand amenities, Breakwater Apartments is committed to enhancing the renting experience. And while it may have fewer total conveniences and features than similar rentals nearby, it remains a top choice for renters wanting an specific standard of living.
Location·9A score based on proximity and ease of access to shops, restaurants, schools, and public transportation while considering the desirability of the area.
Breakwater Apartments is exceptional when it comes to location and conveniences. Communication with management or leasing staff is usually quick and easy and they often use advanced scheduling and communication tools to streamline the process. The location of this property offers easy access to popular points of interest in the area and options for getting around.
Quality·6A score based on what makes the property stand out, such as luxury features, unique offerings, age of the building, and our ability to verify the accuracy of these details.
While Breakwater Apartments does not have many hallmark characteristics to highlight, it has some qualities and features that will resonate with a broad range of renters.
Trustworthiness·8A score based on the accuracy, completeness, recency, and usefulness of the information provided by this property, so you can trust that what you see is what you get.
The level of transparency this property provides distinguishes it as a great rental. With a high attention to detail and desirable features, renters can be sure they will get an accurate picture of their potential new home.

Breakwater Apartments is great for:

Pet owners

  • 1 dog park within 1 mile
  • 4 pet grooming services nearby
  • 6 pet supply stores near the property

Property highlights

We compared every listing in the surrounding area to determine which amenities are most common. If a building lacks an amenity that most others in the area have, it is a con. If a building has an amenity most others in the area do not, it is a pro. Similarly, price, schools, and size are calculated relative to the size, price, and distance to schools of the other properties nearby.

How Breakwater Apartments compares to other nearby properties.

Positives

Less expensive
The 3-bedrooms are cheaper than other similar listings nearby
Middle school nearby
There is a middle school 0.2 mile away
Elementary school nearby
There is an elementary school 0.2 mile away
Images Available
There are at least 10 photos of this address
Laundry available on site
Washers and dryers are available in-building or in-unit

Considerations

Greater distance from high schools
The nearest high school is farther than 2 miles away

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Rent trends in Santa Cruz

1-bedroom apartments here are priced 16% higher than 1-bedrooms in Santa Cruz.

If you decide to upgrade your space, you can expect 2-bedrooms at Breakwater Apartments to be 8% more than the average for similarly sized apartments in Santa Cruz.

3-bedroom apartments at Breakwater Apartments cost about 12% less than the average rent price for 3-bedroom apartments in Santa Cruz.

Median rents as of Sep 12 2026.
Santa Cruz
A table of studio rental data trends in Santa Cruz
MonthMedian Rent
September 2024$2,200
October 2024$2,144
November 2024$2,078
December 2024$1,772
January 2025$1,925
February 2025$2,225
March 2025$1,805
April 2025$1,848
May 2025$1,989
June 2025$1,948
July 2025$1,890
August 2025$2,147
September 2025$2,058
October 2025$1,894
November 2025$2,003
December 2025$2,143
January 2026$2,207
February 2026$2,372
March 2026$2,723
April 2026$2,880
May 2026$2,560
June 2026$2,256
July 2026$2,335
August 2026$2,342
September 2026$2,534

Affordability calculator

Can I afford to live at 1630 Merrill St?

Bedrooms

Rent-to-income ratio

30%

Slide to adjust the percentage of your monthly income you are willing to spend on rent.
The general rule of thumb is to spend around 30% or less of your income on rent.
Recommended income

$115,800/yr

With your selected rent-to-income ratio, you'd ideally want to make $115,800 annually to afford this 1-bedroom monthly rent price of $2,895.
For more information on rent affordability, visit our rent calculator.

Schools near Breakwater Apartments

Del Mar Elementary School

1959 merrill st

santa cruz, CA, 95062

K-5Public
B

Ocean Alternative Education Center

984 bostwick ln ste 6

santa cruz, CA, 95062

K-8Public
B

Alternative Family Education

840 n branciforte ave

santa cruz, CA, 95062

K-12Public
B

Santa Cruz County Special Education

400 encinal st

santa cruz, CA, 95060

K-12Public

Happy Valley Elementary School

3125 branciforte dr

santa cruz, CA, 95065

K-6Public
A
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Internet available near Breakwater Apartments

Neighborhood

NEIGHBORHOOD VIBE
Peaceful and quiet
Noise-canceling headphones not required in this mostly noise free area.

Getting around Santa Cruz near 1630 Merrill St

Walking

4/10
Some shops and stores are within a few minutes.

Driving

9/10
Commuting is easy with multiple accessible routes and plenty of parking.

Cycling

6/10
Peddling isn’t a problem with cyclist-friendly streets and bikeable destinations.

Transit

4/10
There are a few mass transit options within the area.

Points of interest for 1630 Merrill St, Santa Cruz

Groceries

5/10
At least one grocery store within a 30-minute walk

Shopping

5/10
Variety of shops within walking distance

Cafes

6/10
Some cafés within walking distance

Restaurants

5/10
Some restaurants within walking distance

Primary schools

10/10
At least one elementary school within a 5-minute walk

High schools

10/10
At least one high school within a 5-minute walk

Nightlife

2/10
Few or no bars within walking distance

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