Down in sunny Laguna Beach theres a place where you can go to drink, eat, and lounge with cats. Catmosphere Laguna Beach, is the purr-fect place to unwind for both wine, food, and cat lovers alike. Separating itself from other cat-cafes in southern California, their menu offers fresh made in-house snacks, along with a generous wine selection. Savory and sweet, with freshly cut mangos, the peppered avocado toast paired with the Color Wine Rose is the perfect combination for a lazy summer afternoon.
Unlike its competitors, the cafe, and cat lounge areas are separated with a glass window for obvious sanitation reasons. To enter the cat lounge, customers first must exit the cafe and go through a heavy glass door. The large peek in window also has a long counter where onlookers can unwind. Perfect for parents, the cafe is a great place to grab a snack while the kids go to cat camp to make crafts and curl up with a cozy friend. The establishment hosts a number of activities including: cat camp, cat yoga, and birthday parties.
The cafe itself is a light and cozy space full of smiling faces. Upon entering customers might notice the ‘Crazy Cat Lady” plaque proudly displayed on a podium. Everything is clean and well organized, and the staff seemed excited to be at work. The walls are decorated with a mix of local cat art, and merchandise available for customers to purchase. The cafe sells cat themed T-shirts, wine toppers, and cat-ear headbands in its continued homage to cats. The coloring area is no exception with crayons that have been molded in the shape of cat paws by one of the cafe’s more creative employees.
The cats are the star of the show and are treated as such. The lounge is dimly lit with plenty of cat furniture. A few orange armchairs are accompanied by a giant stationary running wheel and of course plenty of cat trees. To add to the calming aesthetic music with subliminal purring plays through the speakers to help the cats relax. The kitties have an artfully crafted door leading to their private litter box area keeping the smell out of the lounge . With plenty of large sleepy cats, and tiny rowdy kittens, there is no shortage of love to go around. The kittens are irresistible and eager to make friends. While some cats are more social than others the lounge provides a place where the cats can feel comfortable to approach people.
As much as Catmosphere is a place for crazy cat ladies, kids, and animal enthusiasts, owner Gail Landau operates her business as a rescue-type foster home for cats and kittens that have nowhere else to go. Catmosphere Laguna is a 501 (c)(3) and works with other rescue not-for-profits. Dr. Robin Morris at the Ark of San Juan also works with the cafe to bring in cats that have been left behind. Landau says that, “Of course, every day I receive a heart-tearing email or call from our TNR partners and, after careful vetting and confirmation of socialization, we take in the abandoned and unwanted. We love them all and find them furrever homes and pawesome pawrents.” The ultimate goal is not just to bring the love and light of cats to Laguna Beach, but even more so to find loving homes for every cat that comes through the door.
381 Forest Ave. Laguna Beach, (949) 619-6369; www.catmospherelaguna.com.
A photographer and journalist from the Los Angeles Area.
Shannon…the essence of Catmosphere Laguna is conveyed in your CATABULOUS article. Thank MEW, on behalf of our Fabulous Felines. It’s all about the Kitties and bringing attention to the needs of so many rescued and rehomed cats and kittens. We are purrr-oud to be supported by our wonderful community and you help us continue to spread the MEWS. Please come to our First Anniversary Open House PAWTY on August 11. ?
Thwnk yoou for sharing your info. I reaply aplreciate your efforts and
I aam waiting for yoir furthber post thank you once again.