To find a car that was towed in San Diego, first figure out who towed it. If it was on a public street or near a crackdown, police or parking enforcement likely took it, so call the San Diego Police non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000 and they’ll tell you which authorized tow yard has it. If it was in a private lot, apartment, or business parking area, a private-property tow company took it, and there’s a sign at the lot entrance with that company’s name and number to call. If it was on a freeway, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handled it. Start by identifying the tower, and everything else follows.
How to tell who towed your car
The fastest way to find your car is to match where it was parked to who has authority there. Use this table.
| Where it was parked | Who likely towed it | Who to call and what they’ll tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Public street, metered zone, street-sweeping route | San Diego Police or parking enforcement | SDPD non-emergency: which authorized yard has the car and why it was towed |
| Private lot, apartment, condo, business | A private-property tow company | The company on the sign at the lot entrance: location, fees, and pickup hours |
| Freeway, highway, on-ramp shoulder | California Highway Patrol (CHP) | CHP: which yard the car went to after a freeway tow |
| Not sure, and the car is just gone | Could be towed or stolen | Call SDPD non-emergency first to rule out a tow, then file a stolen report if needed |
Before you assume the worst, confirm it was actually towed. Police, parking enforcement, and private-property companies are all required to log tows. One phone call usually settles it.
Towed from a street vs a private lot vs a freeway
Towed from a public street. This is the police or parking enforcement scenario. Cars get towed for expired registration, blocking a driveway, parking during street sweeping, or sitting too long in a tow-away zone. The City of San Diego’s “Get It Done” app and sandiego.gov resources cover parking and towing, but the quickest path is the SDPD non-emergency line. They can pull up your plate and tell you which authorized yard holds the car.
Towed from a private lot. If your car was in an apartment complex, shopping center, or business lot, a private-property tow company took it under California Vehicle Code 22658. The law is on your side here. CVC 22658 requires a posted sign at every entrance listing the towing company’s name and phone number. Find that sign, call that company. By law, the tow company must also report the tow to local police or the sheriff within a short window, so if you can’t find the sign, the SDPD non-emergency line can still tell you who has your car. We break the rules down in our CVC 22658 guide.
Towed from a freeway. CHP patrols the freeways and handles disabled, abandoned, or illegally parked vehicles on the highway. If your car was on the 5, 15, 8, 805, or any state route, contact CHP to find out which yard it went to.
What you need to get it back
Once you know which yard has your car, releasing it takes paperwork and payment. Bring:
- A valid government photo ID
- Current vehicle registration
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for tow and storage fees (call ahead to confirm what they accept)
If the car isn’t registered to you, most yards require a notarized authorization letter from the registered owner. Confirm the yard’s hours before you drive over. Many close early or aren’t open on weekends, and a closed gate means another day of storage fees. For the full release walkthrough, see how to get your car back from impound.
How storage fees work, so act fast
Storage fees accrue daily, and they’re the part that quietly balloons. The tow itself is a one-time charge. Storage keeps adding up every day the car sits, and some yards count a partial day as a full day. A car you leave for a week can cost far more in storage than the tow ever did.
This is why speed matters. The day you find out your car was towed is the day to start the release process. Call the yard, confirm what you owe, gather your documents, and get there during open hours. Every day you wait is another day of charges. If you genuinely can’t afford the release today, call the yard anyway and ask about their process, because the total only grows.
How to avoid getting towed next time
A few habits keep your car off a tow truck:
- Check posted signs before you park, especially in private lots and apartment guest spaces.
- Know your street-sweeping day and move the car the night before.
- Keep your registration current. Expired tags are a common tow trigger.
- In permit-only neighborhoods, never park without a valid permit, even for a few minutes.
- If you’re a guest at an apartment or condo, ask where guest parking is. Resident spots get towed fast under private-property enforcement.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my towed car in San Diego?
Figure out who towed it first. If it was on a public street, call the San Diego Police non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000 and they’ll tell you which authorized yard has it. If it was in a private lot, call the tow company listed on the sign at the lot entrance. If it was on a freeway, contact CHP.
What number do I call if my car was towed?
For a street or police tow, call the SDPD non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000. For a private-property tow, call the company printed on the sign at the lot entrance. If you can’t find the sign, SDPD can still tell you who towed it, since private-property tows must be reported to police within a short window.
How do I know if my car was towed or stolen?
Call the San Diego Police non-emergency line first and ask if your vehicle was towed. Police, parking enforcement, and private-property companies all log tows, so they can confirm quickly. If there’s no record of a tow, then file a stolen vehicle report.
How much does it cost to get a towed car back?
You’ll pay a one-time tow fee plus daily storage. Storage is the part that grows, so the total depends heavily on how long the car sits. Call the specific yard holding your car to confirm the exact amount and what payment they accept, then pick it up as soon as you can.
Is Quick Tow SD an impound lot I can pick my car up from?
No. Quick Tow SD is a towing company, not an impound lot or a government agency, so we don’t hold towed vehicles for release. Once your car is released from the impound yard, we can tow it wherever you need it to go across San Diego County.
My car was towed from an apartment lot. What are my rights?
Under California Vehicle Code 22658, the lot must have a posted sign at the entrance with the tow company’s name and number, and the company must report the tow to police within a short window. Call the company on the sign to locate and release your car. Our CVC 22658 guide covers what’s required and what isn’t.
Need your car towed after it’s released?
Once you’ve located your car and paid the yard, you may still need a ride for it, especially if it isn’t drivable or the registration lapsed. Quick Tow SD runs 24/7 towing across San Diego County, and we handle private-property tows for HOAs and property managers too. Call (858) 923-5787 and we’ll get your car where it needs to go.