Towing
San Marcos
Your trusted tow truck in San Marcos — covering CSUSM campus, Restaurant Row, San Elijo Hills, Discovery Hills & the SR-78 corridor. Population 97,000 and growing.
San Marcos Trusts CloseBy
San Marcos is one of North County's fastest-growing cities, with a population of approximately 97,000 residents spread across 24 square miles of inland valleys and rolling hills. Home to Cal State San Marcos, a thriving Restaurant Row, and rapidly expanding residential communities like San Elijo Hills and Discovery Hills, the city generates unique towing demands that require genuine local knowledge.
A University City with Country Roots
San Marcos sits in the heart of North County inland, bisected by State Route 78 and bordered by Escondido to the east, Vista to the west, and Carlsbad to the southwest. The city's transformation from agricultural land to a modern university city has been remarkable, but the rolling terrain and hillside communities still present challenges for drivers and tow operators alike.
The presence of Cal State San Marcos brings over 17,000 students who commute daily along Twin Oaks Valley Road and SR-78. Grand Avenue's Restaurant Row draws diners from across the county. San Elijo Hills' steep grades test vehicles during summer heat. And San Marcos Creek's flood-prone zones create seasonal road hazards. CloseBy Towing knows every one of these pressure points and positions our trucks accordingly.
Whether you're a CSUSM student locked out of your car in a campus parking structure, a family stranded at Bradley Park after a weekend game, or a commuter with a blown tire on SR-78 during rush hour, CloseBy Towing delivers fast, professional service with upfront pricing and no hidden fees. We treat every vehicle with the care it deserves, from economy sedans to luxury SUVs.
Major Roads We Service
Key Landmarks
Common San Marcos Calls
Every Corner of San Marcos
From the CSUSM university district to the hilltop vistas of San Elijo Hills, our drivers know San Marcos inside and out. We cover all three ZIP codes -- 92069, 92078, and 92096 -- with fast, reliable towing and roadside assistance.
Cal State San Marcos & University District
15-22 minTwin Oaks Valley Rd, Barham Dr, Campus Way, Craven Rd
Home to Cal State University San Marcos, this academic hub sees heavy student and faculty traffic year-round. Dead batteries in campus parking structures, lockouts after late-night study sessions, and overheated engines on the steep Twin Oaks Valley Road climb are our most common calls. We navigate the university's sprawling campus and surrounding student housing complexes with ease.
Restaurant Row & City Center
12-18 minSan Marcos Blvd, Grand Ave, Via Vera Cruz, Knoll Rd
San Marcos's vibrant Restaurant Row along Grand Avenue is the city's social heart, packed with craft breweries, taquerias, and upscale dining. Weekend evenings bring full parking lots and tight parallel-parking situations that generate lockout and fender-bender calls. Our drivers know every back lot and side street in this bustling corridor.
San Elijo Hills
18-25 minSan Elijo Rd, Elfin Forest Rd, Double Peak Dr, Questhaven Rd
A master-planned hillside community with panoramic views, winding roads, and the popular Double Peak Park trailhead. Vehicles overheat on steep residential grades, and hikers return to dead batteries after long trail days on Double Peak. Our flatbeds handle the 10-15% grades and narrow cul-de-sacs that define this elevated neighborhood.
Discovery Hills & North San Marcos
15-20 minDiscovery St, Borden Rd, Las Posas Rd, Woodland Pkwy
The rapidly developing northern section of San Marcos features newer residential communities, parks, and growing commercial zones along Woodland Parkway. Construction traffic, delivery trucks, and new-homeowner move-in mishaps keep us busy. Fast access from SR-78 means short response times to this expanding area.
Bradley Park & South San Marcos
15-22 minRancho Santa Fe Rd, Bent Ave, Pacific St, Linda Vista Dr
Bradley Park serves as a recreation hub for families and sports leagues, while the surrounding residential streets wind through established neighborhoods. Weekend soccer tournaments and baseball games fill parking lots to capacity. Flat tires from gravel shoulders and dead batteries from long game days are common calls here.
SR-78 Corridor & Commercial District
10-15 minSR-78 on/off ramps, Nordahl Rd, Las Posas Rd, San Marcos Blvd
State Route 78 is San Marcos's freeway lifeline, connecting the city to Escondido, Vista, Carlsbad, and the coast. Rush-hour breakdowns at the Nordahl Road and Twin Oaks Valley Road interchanges are daily events. Our trucks are positioned for fast freeway response with full LED safety lighting and CHP coordination capability.
Towing Services in San Marcos
Full range of towing and roadside services available 24/7 throughout San Marcos and the surrounding North County area.
General Towing
Professional local and long-distance towing for sedans, SUVs, trucks, and vans across San Marcos.
Emergency Towing
Rapid emergency response for accidents, breakdowns, and roadside emergencies on SR-78 and local roads.
Flatbed Towing
Hydraulic flatbed transport for luxury vehicles, lowered cars, AWD vehicles, and motorcycles.
Accident Towing
Collision recovery and post-accident towing with CHP coordination at SR-78 and intersection incidents.
Roadside Assistance
Jump starts, lockouts, tire changes, and fuel delivery throughout San Marcos neighborhoods.
Stranded in San Marcos?
Whether you're on SR-78, at CSUSM, or in San Elijo Hills -- help is one call away. Upfront pricing, fast dispatch, no surprises.
San Marcos Towing FAQ
How quickly can you reach Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM)?
We typically arrive at the CSUSM campus within 15-22 minutes. Our drivers are familiar with the university's parking structures, campus loop roads, and the surrounding student housing complexes along Twin Oaks Valley Road and Barham Drive. Whether you need a jump start in Lot F, a lockout at the University Village, or a tow from the Mangrum parking structure, we know the campus layout and can reach you quickly.
Do you service Restaurant Row and Grand Avenue?
Absolutely. Restaurant Row along Grand Avenue is one of our most-serviced areas in San Marcos. We regularly respond to lockouts in brewery parking lots, fender-benders in tight restaurant parking areas, and dead batteries after long dinner outings. Our drivers know every back lot, side street, and parallel-parking zone along this popular dining corridor and can navigate tight spaces without blocking traffic.
Can you handle the steep hills in San Elijo Hills?
Yes, San Elijo Hills has some of the steepest residential grades in North County, with 10-15% inclines on roads like Double Peak Drive and Questhaven Road. Our winch-equipped flatbeds are specifically designed for hillside operations. We also service the Double Peak Park trailhead, where hikers frequently return to dead batteries or flat tires after a long climb to the summit.
How much does towing cost in San Marcos?
We provide upfront pricing before dispatch with no hidden fees or surprises. Standard San Marcos tows start at competitive rates based on distance and vehicle type. Campus recovery, hillside service, and after-hours freeway response are all included in our transparent pricing. You will know the exact cost before we send a truck. We also offer student and military discounts for CSUSM students and nearby Camp Pendleton personnel.
Do you cover SR-78 breakdowns through San Marcos?
SR-78 through San Marcos is one of our most-covered corridors. We respond to freeway breakdowns, accidents, flat tires, and overheated engines within 10-15 minutes along the San Marcos stretch. We cover every interchange including Nordahl Road, Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos Boulevard, and Las Posas Road. Our trucks carry full LED safety lighting and we coordinate with CHP for safe freeway recoveries.
What areas near San Marcos do you also serve?
We serve all communities surrounding San Marcos, including Escondido to the east, Vista to the west, Carlsbad to the southwest, and Rancho Santa Fe to the south. Our coverage extends along the entire SR-78 corridor from Oceanside to Escondido. Whether you break down at the San Marcos border or deep in a neighboring city, CloseBy Towing can reach you quickly with the same fast, professional service.
Also Serving Nearby Areas
San Marcos connects to many North County communities along SR-78 and surrounding roads. We serve them all.
Need a Tow in San Marcos?
North County's growing university city deserves towing that knows every road, every campus lot, and every hillside neighborhood. Call now for upfront pricing and fast dispatch to anywhere in San Marcos.