Budget Photos









Budget Introduce
For California residents and visitors seeking reliable, cost-effective transportation in the heart of San Diego, the Budget Car Rental location at the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley offers a range of vehicles to suit nearly every travel need. As a recognized Car Rental Agency and Van Rental Agency, this specific branch provides access to Budget’s extensive fleet, making it a viable option for everything from quick business trips to multi-day family excursions across Southern California.
The Budget brand is globally known for its commitment to providing quality vehicles and clear pricing, a philosophy that is executed at this Mission Valley location. Users often turn to Budget when they require a wide selection of vehicle classes—from small, fuel-efficient Economy cars perfect for navigating San Diego’s urban landscape, to spacious Passenger Vans and SUVs necessary for a trip up the scenic Pacific Coast Highway or into the nearby mountains. It is a critical hub for affordable and functional vehicle solutions in the San Diego metropolitan area.
Understanding the details of the rental process, the precise location, and the services offered is essential for a smooth experience, especially given its placement within a large resort complex that has undergone renovations. This guide is designed to provide local users with the necessary, factual information to make an informed decision when planning their next rental in the 92108 area, ensuring they can utilize the service efficiently and manage their expectations regarding the local operational specifics of this branch.
Location and Accessibility
The Budget car rental office is conveniently situated in the central Mission Valley area of San Diego, a dynamic and accessible part of the city, at the following address:
500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
This location is specifically nestled within the sprawling Town & Country Resort, an important detail for renters. The office is located inside the resort's premises, which some customers have noted can require asking for directions upon arrival, as it can be small and situated near a banquet room or temporary lobby, particularly during periods of ongoing construction or remodeling at the resort. Renters approaching from the I-8 East or West should take the Hotel Circle exit and proceed to the Town and Country Resort, looking for signs directing them to the temporary or main lobby where the Budget counter is located. The proximity of this office to major San Diego landmarks—approximately 2.5 miles from San Diego Airport, and 3.4 miles from Downtown San Diego—makes it an attractive alternative to airport rental counters.
In terms of accessibility, the location demonstrates a commitment to serving all members of the California community. The facility is equipped with a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring ease of access for customers with mobility considerations. Additionally, Wheelchair accessible parking lot spaces are provided, which is a key feature for convenient pick-up and drop-off of rental vehicles.
Services Offered
This Mission Valley Budget location, as a full-service Car Rental Agency and Van Rental Agency, provides a diverse selection of vehicles designed to meet the varying demands of California travel. The fleet is expansive, catering to both budget-conscious renters and those needing specialized transport. The main categories of rentals available often include:
- Economy and Compact Cars (e.g., Kia Rio, Kia Soul, for maximum fuel efficiency and easy parking)
- Intermediate and Standard Sedans (e.g., Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta, suitable for small groups and road trips)
- Full-Size and Premium Sedans (e.g., Toyota Camry, Toyota Crown, for added comfort and space)
- SUVs of all sizes (Intermediate, Standard, Full-Size, and Premium, like the Toyota Rav4, Ford Edge, or Chevrolet Suburban, ideal for family travel or extra gear)
- Minivans (e.g., Chrysler Pacifica, offering 7-seat capacity and passenger comfort)
- Passenger Vans (large Ford Transit vans with capacity up to 12-15 passengers, catering to large groups or team travel)
- Pickup Trucks (for hauling equipment or accommodating specialized travel needs)
- Specialty Vehicles (including Convertibles like the Ford Mustang, and select Luxury vehicles such as the Genesis G70)
- Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (Midsize Electric models like the Tesla Short Range Model 3 or Full-Size Hybrids like the Toyota Prius, reflecting modern California vehicle preferences)
This extensive selection ensures that whether a customer needs a cost-effective vehicle for a few days of in-town driving or a large van for a group outing to a Southern California attraction, the appropriate vehicle class is typically available for reservation.
Features / Highlights
The Budget Mission Valley location offers several key features that can make it an attractive choice for various renters, though certain operational realities should be considered:
- Military Discounts: A significant highlight is the offering of Active military discounts. Budget generally provides substantial savings (up to 35% off Pay Now rates) and may waive the underage driver fee for eligible U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families, a valuable benefit in the San Diego area with its strong military presence.
- Flexible Payment Options: The office accepts modern and traditional payment methods, including major Credit cards and Debit cards, along with contactless NFC mobile payments, ensuring a quick and easy transaction process at the counter.
- Accessibility Provisions: As a commitment to all renters, the location features both a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot.
- Broad Fleet Availability: The core strength of a Budget location is the sheer variety of vehicles, from Economy cars to large Passenger Vans and even Pickup Trucks, allowing customers to select the exact vehicle class needed for their California adventure.
It is important for local users to note that, according to some customer feedback, the office location can be slightly challenging to find within the large Town & Country Resort complex. Furthermore, while the vehicles themselves are functional, occasional customer reports have highlighted minor issues with vehicle cleanliness (e.g., dirty windshields, residual smoke odor) and the absence of a dedicated shuttle service from the hotel or other local spots, which requires renters to arrange their own transportation to the counter.
Contact Information
Customers can reach the Budget Car Rental location at the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley, San Diego, using the following contact information for inquiries, hours confirmation, and reservations:
Address: 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
Phone: (619) 220-0294
Mobile Phone: +1 619-220-0294
It is always advisable to call ahead to confirm the current hours of operation and any specific pick-up instructions, especially since the physical office may be temporarily relocated or discreetly positioned within the large resort property.
What is Worth Choosing
For California residents prioritizing affordability and a wide selection of vehicle types, Budget in Mission Valley remains a solid option. The primary reasons to choose this location center on its value proposition and fleet diversity. Renters can benefit significantly from the substantial Active military discounts offered, making it a particularly strong choice for service members and their families in the San Diego area.
The ability to rent everything from a compact Toyota Corolla for simple city errands to a 12-passenger van for a large group event is a logistical advantage that many competing local agencies cannot match. Moreover, the acceptance of modern payment methods, including NFC mobile payments, adds a layer of convenience to the transaction process.
However, users should approach their rental with careful preparation. To ensure a positive experience, customers are strongly advised to meticulously inspect their reserved vehicle before leaving the lot, paying close attention to both the exterior condition and the interior cleanliness, as some past reviews have noted inconsistencies. Furthermore, it is critical to carefully review all final contract charges, especially regarding insurance and potential upgrades, before signing, to avoid unexpected fees. By setting an appointment during peak hours of operation and following up directly with the main customer service line if any post-rental issues arise, renters can maximize the value and minimize potential complications from this accessible, budget-friendly San Diego location.
Budget Details
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Budget Location
Budget
500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
Budget Reviews
costpick upcredit carddrivehotelmoneyinsurancewiper fluidriskpassengers
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Everything went well. Customer service representative friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Only couple minor detractors for 1 star were: 1) office is small and hidden on side of a banquet room, needed to ask site grounds employee where office was 2) no shuttle 3) car windshield dirty inside car
Aug 26, 2023 · Choicen HistoryShould have read reviews first. Booked a pick up truck. First stop after using I noticed plastic piece hanging down front end. Returned the truck, no other pick ups available, ended up with a Corolla which smelled like cigarette smoke, dirty windshield, no windshield washer fluid. Upon returning the car, no one was in the office 1.5 hours after it was supposed to be open. Waited 20 minutes, no one showed. Had to leave the keys with a note asking the agent to call me to discuss a refund for not driving the pick up, with the hotel front desk.Never had a call back from the MV agent. Needed to wait 45 minutes to speak with a Budget rental customer service agent, who stated I would be charged $127 instead of $219. In actuality the Corolla should have been $97 for the 3 day rental. I will NEVER use this Mission Valley Budget, and pretty much will not use Budget in the future!
Mar 03, 2025 · Dale TRead the reviews prior to renting, thought I would risk it. Arrived at hotel at 8 am and the rental kiosk wasn’t open yet. 5 families waiting in line before us. The gentleman came to open at about 8:15 am and he was counting people waiting and mentioning he may not have enough cars. Thankfully there was a car to take. Definitely not ideal for our family but we made it work. The car itself wasn’t clean and had several safety issues. The guy was nice while helping us though. Came back a few hours later to ask to change cars because of the issues and a different guy was quite rude and just said “nope” while shoving his face with food. I mentioned I didn’t want to get flack for those car issues and he just said we don’t worry about that. Thankfully the car got us where we needed to go but I highly suggest you have the brakes, passenger window and wiper fluid checked on your black Dodge Challenger. Could be a safety issue for the next person.
Dec 31, 2024 · ReneeHORRIBLE customer service. I called first thing in the morning to confirm my reservation and was told everything was fine. Arrived at my reservation time and there were other people there to pick up their rentals as well. We were all told there were no cars and that we just had to sit and wait an unspecified amount of time, because they had no idea when cars would arrive. When I asked to speak to a manager, the person said there was no manager there. When I asked to have the manager called, the person ("Francisco") said he would NOT call RAUL AMES (the manager) and that I should call the customer service line if I have a problem with what he's doing. He gave me a business card for Raul the manager, but said "Don't call the number on his business card, because it's just the number here". Luckily, I booked through Costco, so they will find a resolution eventually (been on a call for over an hour so far). But coming all this way...just to be stranded and HORRIBLY spoken to...when all these people had to do was call this morning and say "I know you have a reservation today, but we don't have any vehicles at this location"...and let me figure out how to proceed with either booking somewhere else or canceling all together...is UNACCEPTABLE. They need to shut this location down (Hotel Circle Town & Country) and provide CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING to any employees who remain employed after I'm done here.
Aug 18, 2022 · Mia G.The reviews are true. After booking I read the fact that they often do not have cars. So I called the location 5 times, never answered it rolled over to the national line. They said it’s confirmed. I asked them to reserve a specific car so I would not have any problems and they would not, so I knew I had no choice but to risk it. The person there said, I only have trucks and I can not help you. Now I am on my way to the airport. Time lost- 1.5 hours, cost with Lyft $45. Delay in vacation the worst part.
Apr 26, 2024 · Happy Happy (Joy joy)
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