PHOTOS: Farmers Market Towaways

At 2:30 each Thursday, a short few blocks of State Street turn into the tow zone to make way for the produce and crafts booths of the Los Altos Farmers Market.

Some days they only tow one or two cars. Some days none. Thursday was unusually high with four cars, said Sgt. Paul Arguelles of the Los Altos Police Department. "Unfortunately," he added.

The signs are posted 24 hours in advance and carry the ominous warning "Minimum Fee $576."

That's an approximation because the total depends on which of the tow companies is used, how much time passes before a driver realizes his or her car has been towed, and the individual tow companies tow fee and storage fee, Arguelles said.

The driver has to go to the police station with proof that the car belongs to him or her. The release fee is $215. Then a trip to the tow company, usually one in Mountain View or Sunnyvale to get the car. Cal-West, which was towing away two cars, charges $235 for the tow. If the owner comes after 4 p.m. there's an additional fee of $85, and a $55 per day storage charge.

Do upset owners ever arrive just after the car has been all hooked up to the tow truck? Yes.

If they can, Arguelles said, they release them.

Phew.