A breakdown is stressful anywhere. In the Santa Ynez Valley it can also happen on a rural road with few places to pull aside. Santa Ynez Towing connects you with licensed and insured local towing professionals, so you can talk to a dispatcher and get moving again.
This page explains how calling works, what to have ready, and which local roads and conditions matter. It also gives a short overview of each service. When you are ready, call (805) 693-7957.
How calling works
Santa Ynez Towing is not the tow operator. It is a service that connects callers with local towing professionals who are licensed and insured. The truck that comes to you belongs to one of those professionals.
When you call (805) 693-7957, the dispatcher asks about your vehicle and your location. Price depends on the vehicle, the distance, the type of hookup or truck needed, the road location and the time of day. The dispatcher quotes the price on the phone before a truck is sent, so you know the cost before you agree.
Payment methods and hours vary by provider. Confirm both with the dispatcher during the call.
What to have ready
A few details make the call go smoothly. If you can, gather these before you dial:
- Your exact location: cross streets, highway direction, or a nearby landmark.
- Your vehicle's year, make and model.
- Whether the vehicle rolls and steers.
- Where you want it taken.
Out here, the location detail matters. "On Highway 154" covers a lot of road. "Eastbound on Highway 154 near Lake Cachuma" is much easier to act on. If you are on a ranch road or a back road such as Refugio Road or Ballard Canyon Road, name the closest cross street or landmark you can see.
Roads and conditions around Santa Ynez
The valley sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains to the south and the San Rafael Mountains to the north, with the Santa Ynez River running through it. Santa Ynez is about 40 miles north of Santa Barbara.
State Route 154, the Chumash Highway, runs from Los Olivos past Santa Ynez and Lake Cachuma. It then crosses Los Padres National Forest and climbs over San Marcos Pass. It is a two-lane road with only occasional passing lanes, and it tops out near 2,000 feet. A breakdown on that stretch is a long way from town, so a clear description of where you stopped is especially useful.
State Route 246 runs from Lompoc through Buellton and Solvang, where it is Mission Drive, and meets SR 154 near Santa Ynez. It follows the river and is mostly two lanes. U.S. Route 101 passes through Buellton, where it meets SR 246.
Local roads such as Edison Street, Alamo Pintado Road, Avenue of Flags, Roblar Avenue, Alisal Road, Armour Ranch Road, Baseline Avenue, Santa Rosa Road and Chalk Hill Road also carry travelers. The valley has wineries and tasting rooms, so visitors who do not know the area are often on these roads. Ranches and the equine industry also put trucks and horse trailers on rural roads.
The climate is warm-summer Mediterranean, with dry summers and no average monthly temperature above about 72 degrees F. Even so, heat can wear down a battery faster, which is worth knowing if your car is slow to start.
Where help is available
Help covers the city of Santa Ynez, the nearby towns and Santa Barbara County. That includes Solvang, about 3.4 miles away, and Los Olivos, about 4.6 miles away. It also includes Buellton, about 7.1 miles away, and Los Alamos, about 16.2 miles away. Neighborhoods such as Ballard, Jonata Park and Rancho Santa Ynez are included too.
If you are stuck near the Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez Airport, Mission Santa Inés or a tasting room, give that landmark along with your street. It helps the dispatcher find you.
Towing and roadside services
Here is a short overview of each service. Ask the dispatcher which one fits your situation. Call (805) 693-7957 to reach a local provider.
Flatbed Towing
A flatbed carries the whole vehicle on the bed of the truck. It is generally recommended for all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles, low-clearance and classic cars, most electric vehicles, motorcycles, and vehicles that cannot roll. Your owner's manual often says how your vehicle should be towed, so check it if you can.
Roadside Assistance
Not every problem needs a tow. Roadside assistance is for situations where a professional can help you on the spot. Describe what happened, and the dispatcher can tell you whether a tow is needed.
Jump Start Service
A dead battery is a simple problem, and a jump start can often solve it. If your battery needs repeated jump starts, it may need testing or replacement. Batteries often fail faster in high heat.
Car Lockout Service
If your keys are locked inside, a technician can open the vehicle. The technician may ask for ID and proof of ownership first. If a child or pet is locked inside a hot car, call 911 right away instead of waiting for a technician.
Accident Recovery
After a collision, call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked. On state highways such as U.S. 101, SR 154 and SR 246, the California Highway Patrol handles collisions. Officers may call a tow for vehicles that must be cleared. In unincorporated areas such as Santa Ynez, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff covers the area. When it is safe, take photos and exchange information.
Heavy-Duty Towing
RVs, box trucks and trailers need equipment matched to the vehicle's weight and length. The dispatcher will ask for those details first, so have them handy. The valley's ranches and visitors mean larger rigs are on the road, and the right equipment matters.
Motorcycle Towing
A motorcycle is generally best moved on a flatbed. Tell the dispatcher the make and model, and whether the bike rolls and steers.
Long-Distance Towing
Sometimes the right shop or home is far from where you broke down. Long-distance towing moves your vehicle farther, such as over San Marcos Pass to Santa Barbara. Distance is one of the things that affects the price, and the dispatcher quotes it on the phone before a truck is sent.
Staying safe while you wait
If you can, get fully off the roadway, turn on your hazard lights and keep away from traffic. On a highway shoulder, if you cannot get safely away from the car, stay inside with your seat belt on. Call 911 for any emergency or injury.
On a two-lane road with limited room, such as SR 154 or SR 246, this matters even more. Give the dispatcher your location clearly, then stay put and stay alert.
Check your coverage first
Many auto insurance policies, credit cards and motor-club memberships include roadside or towing coverage. It is worth a quick look before you pay out of pocket. If you plan to submit for reimbursement, ask for an itemized receipt.
Ready when you are
Whether you are in town on Edison Street, on a ranch road, or on the highway near Lake Cachuma, one call gets the process started. Call (805) 693-7957, share your location and vehicle details, and hear the price before a truck is sent.