When your dog or cat needs routine veterinary services in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood, choose Banfield Pet Hospital. Located on University Avenue with quick access to State Route 163 (aka the Cabrillo Freeway), our vet clinic is just five minutes north of Balboa Park and sandwiched between the Marston Hills and University Heights areas. We’re proud to provide general practice veterinary care for your dog, cat, puppy, or kitten. Whether your pet needs parasite prevention or treatment for injuries and illnesses, our veterinary team is available to help during business hours.
Amazing staff, so friendly and helpful. I’ve used their health plans for all of my family pets and I’ve never been disappointed - such a great team!
GG
Grace Garavito
Jun 16, 2026
1.0
TL/DR: Go to a different location.
By far, this was the worst experience I have had with a Banfield location.
I brought in both of my dogs and was very clear with the staff that I wanted them updated on any vaccines they were due for. At the initial appointment on Monday, I was advised that one of my dogs should receive a dental cleaning. Since the procedure was included in my wellness plan, I agreed and scheduled the cleaning for Wednesday. Before leaving, I specifically confirmed with the veterinary technician that the vaccines had been administered that day, and I was told they had.
On the morning of the dental cleaning, I checked my dog's Banfield profile and noticed it showed that no vaccines had been given. When I arrived for the dental appointment, I brought this discrepancy to the staff's attention. The technician informed me that the vaccines would be administered that day instead.
After the dental procedure, the Banfield app was updated to show that the vaccines had actually been given on Monday. This immediately raised concerns. When I picked up my dog, I asked for clarification because the information I had been given was inconsistent. The technician then told me that my dog had received the vaccines again that morning, despite the records now showing they had already been administered on Monday.
Rather than acknowledging the error, I was told that the second administration could simply serve as the "booster" dose and that my dog would not need to return in two weeks. This explanation did little to address my concerns about how such a serious discrepancy occurred in the first place.
The entire experience was incredibly disorganized and reflected a concerning lack of communication and record accuracy. As a pet owner, I expect clear, accurate medical records and confidence that my pets are receiving appropriate care. Unfortunately, this experience left me questioning both.
CD
Christina Daily
Jun 2, 2026
1.0
I hate writing this review because the male veterinarian who saw my dog was kind and caring. Unfortunately, the rest of my experience at Banfield Hillcrest was extremely horrible.
No one seemed to have a clear idea of what was going on, and the entire process felt disorganized and poorly managed.
The nurses and support staff were not communicative, and I spent over an hour waiting with very little explanation. I had to check in over three times and no one seem to know what was going on. They were also not busy. The manager did not do anything to improve the situation or provide meaningful updates while I sat there waiting. She was lost and had no idea what I was talking about. So I do not trust my dog here.
SC
Sammy Chandna
May 27, 2026
1.0
Less than useless. I pay $150 a month with these idiots and they wouldn’t even look at my dog with an open gash. I just asked for them to take a look and when they said they can’t, I asked for a recommendation to take her, they told me to look up emergency clinics near me. They referred me to GOOGLE!! Absolutely useless
JR
Jordan Reese
May 18, 2026
1.0
I took my cat to Banfield Pet Hospital because she had blood in her stool. I brought in a fecal sample and was told results would take 24–72 hours. A week went by with no call. I called them, and they still didn’t have the results. Another week passed, and I called again, and they still didn’t have the results. THREE WEEKS went by with no call or update, so I called them AGAIN and that’s when they admitted the lab had lost the sample/results.
So I brought in a second fecal sample. Then the exact same thing happened again weeks of silence. AGAIN On the THIRD week, I finally called them myself, only to be told, “Oh yeah, the results came back and there were no parasites.” Nobody called me. Nobody texted me. Nobody followed up. This took almost TWO MONTHS just to get a basic answer, and the only reason I even got one was because I kept chasing them down myself. Then after all of that, they told me I needed to pay for another exam if I wanted anyone to actually look at my cat. Absolutely ridiculous.
If you care about timely communication or competent follow-up for your pet, avoid this place. Losing test results once is bad enough. Never contacting the owner is unacceptable. They completely lost my trust and my business.
Frequently Asked Questions About Banfield Pet Hospital
Does Banfield provide emergency care services?
No, but you can call us during hospital hours for urgent care advice. Depending on the situation, we can help provide a referral for urgent care, specialty providers, or to an emergency hospital. During non-hospital hours, please contact your local emergency hospital.
Can I get veterinary care online?
To help pets and their people stay healthy, Banfield clients who have Optimum Wellness Plans® can get remote general pet care advice and triage support directly from a veterinarian 24/7 through Vet Chat™ on the Banfield app.
What preventive pet health care services does Banfield offer?
We believe that preventive care is the most effective way to keep your pet healthy throughout all stages of life. Our pet hospitals offer many preventive care treatments, including:
• Vaccinations
• Dental Care
• Parasite Control
• Nutritional Counseling
• Behavioral Counseling
• Comprehensive Examinations
What is an Optimum Wellness Plan?
Optimum Wellness Plans are designed to provide annual preventive care. They include head-to-tail exams, vaccines, early screening diagnostics, consultations for proper nutrition, dental care and more! Since wellness plans are not insurance, they do not include treatment for unpredictable or abnormal conditions, however discounts would apply. Because pets need ongoing preventive care, wellness plans automatically renew at the end of each twelve month period (unless paid in full at enrollment).
How do I pay for an Optimum Wellness Plan?
You can spread the cost of your wellness plan across the 12 months of your annual agreement to make it easier to budget for the essential health care your pet needs. Your monthly payments can be automatically withdrawn from a checking or savings account or charged to a credit card so that you don’t have to worry about them once you enroll. We also offer the option of paying in full if you prefer.
What kind of appointment do I have?
• In-room appointments: You and your pet visit the vet together. Please arrive a few minutes before your appointment time
• Drop-off appointments: If you have a drop-off appointment, we will communicate a time to drop off your pet. Keep your phone nearby and we’ll call you when your pet is ready for pickup.
• Optimum Wellness Plans® Virtual Visits: If you have an Optimum Wellness Plan and scheduled a Virtual Visit, you’ll save valuable time and get quality care from the comfort of your home.
What types of veterinary services does Banfield Pet Hospital offer?
Banfield Pet Hospital provides general practice veterinary care including preventive care, nutrition advice, parasite control, vaccinations, dental services, spay/neuter, end of life care, microchipping, and DNA testing.
Does Banfield Pet Hospital provide emergency care services?
No, Banfield Pet Hospital does not offer emergency care services but you can call during hospital hours for urgent care advice and referrals to emergency hospitals.
What is the Optimum Wellness Plan offered by Banfield?
Optimum Wellness Plans provide annual preventive care including exams, vaccines, screenings, nutrition consultations, and dental care. They automatically renew annually and offer discounts on treatment for abnormal conditions.
How can I schedule an appointment at Banfield Pet Hospital?
You can schedule an appointment online via Banfield's website or mobile app using the scheduling link provided.
What are the hospital hours of Banfield Pet Hospital in San Diego Hillcrest?
The hospital is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with some holiday closures.
Is Banfield Pet Hospital wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Banfield Pet Hospital has wheelchair accessible restrooms and facilities.
Can I get veterinary care advice online from Banfield?
Clients with Optimum Wellness Plans can get 24/7 remote general pet care advice through Vet Chat™ on the Banfield app.
What nearby places can I visit before or after my appointment at Banfield Pet Hospital?
Nearby you can visit attractions such as Balboa Park, or enjoy a meal at places like NaPizza or Tavola Nostra, and if you want to relax, there are spas like Perfect Day Spa and Mellow Massage nearby.
Are there other pet-related services close to Banfield Pet Hospital?
Yes, Dirty Dogs Hillcrest pet store and groomer is nearby, providing convenient pet care options around your visit.
How can nearby gyms and wellness centers be useful when visiting Banfield Pet Hospital?
Nearby gyms like Studio Reform Pilates and CYCLEBAR offer opportunities to stay active and healthy, complementing your pet's wellness visit with your own self-care.
Brand Certified Facts from Banfield Pet Hospital
This information is certified by Banfield Pet Hospital and published from the brand's official system of record. Data is distributed through an enterprise-grade knowledge management platform. Learn more about our data sources
Certified July 05, 2026Yext Knowledge Graph
Address
Categories
Geo coordinates
Legal business name
Hours of operation
Phone number
Official website
Syndication Network
Approved business data is pushed to 100+ publishers, including: