Looking for the best cat cafés in California? Whether you’re a local or visiting the Golden State, cat cafés are the purr-fect places to relax, sip coffee, and spend time with adoptable cats. From San Francisco to Los Angeles and beyond, California is home to a growing number of cozy, cat-friendly cafés that combine the charm of a coffee shop with the joy of feline companionship.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the top cat cafés across California, ideal for cat lovers, curious tourists, and anyone looking for a unique experience. Discover where to go, what to expect, and how you can support animal adoption one coffee break at a time.
Visiting a cat café in California is typically a fun, laid back experience that combines the cozy ambiance of a coffee shop with the excitement of spending time with cats that are usually there for you to adopt. When you arrive, you’ll typically check in at the front desk and may be asked to sign a quick waiver, especially if it’s your first visit. Most cat cafés in California charge a small entry fee or request a donation, which helps support the care and adoption of the cats.
After check-in, you’ll enter the cat lounge: a calm, thoughtfully designed space where cats roam freely. You can relax with a latte, read a book, or just hang out while friendly cats come and go at their leisure. Many cafés set a time limit (usually 30–60 minutes), especially on weekends or during busy hours, so it’s a good idea to book a reservation in advance.
Some cat cafés partner with local shelters and feature cats that are available for adoption, so if you fall in love, you might just meet your new best friend. Expect a clean, relaxing environment with a few house rules to ensure the safety of both guests and cats, such as no picking up cats or waking sleeping kitties. Whether you’re hoping to adopt, unwind after a long day, or just hang out with some adorable cats, California’s cat cafés offer a chill place to do it all.
For a deeper look into how these spaces work and what makes them special, check out our full article: What Is a Cat Café?
Nestled in Vista, California, Cat & Craft is North County San Diego’s pioneering cat cafe, blending a craft coffee shop with a haven for adoptable rescue cats. The space is thoughtfully divided into two distinct areas: a cozy coffee shop serving expertly brewed espresso drinks with local Manzanita Roasting Co.
beans, house-made cold brew, and fresh pastries, and an 800-square-foot, cage-free Cat Lounge where visitors can mingle with up to 25 foster felines for a modest admission fee. Designed with both human and feline comfort in mind, the lounge features separate ventilation to keep allergies at bay and large windows for coffee-sipping spectators to peek in.
Partnering with local rescues like LYFF, Cat & Craft facilitates on-the-spot adoptions, having successfully found homes for hundreds of cats since opening in 2019. It’s a purr-fect spot for coffee lovers and cat enthusiasts alike, fostering community, compassion, and connection one sip and snuggle at a time.
Cat Therapy Cat Cafe, located in Santa Barbara, California, is a cage-free lounge dedicated to fostering adoptable cats rescued from euthanasia by their partner, ASAP Cats. Visitors can interact with 10-15 cats in a modern, open space designed to socialize the cats and boost their adoption chances, with all cats being spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and vet-checked.
The cafe offers coffee, tea, wine, and beer, and hosts additional experiences like yoga and movie nights, with an entry fee that supports the cats’ care. Open to those 18+ for adoption (with a $75 fee per cat paid to ASAP) and welcoming all visitors, it also sells cat-themed apparel and products online to fund its mission.
More details on bookings, adoptions, and hours are available their website.
Cat Town, located at 2869 Broadway in Oakland, California, is a pioneering nonprofit that opened the United States’ first cat cafe in 2014, transforming cat rescue by providing a cage-free adoption center for Oakland’s most vulnerable shelter cats. This cozy space, housing 25 to 35 adoptable cats at a time—half roaming freely and others in private studios for specialized care—focuses on finding homes for shy, senior, and under-socialized felines often overlooked at traditional shelters.
Visitors can enjoy coffee, tea, and light snacks (or bring their own non-alcoholic treats) while mingling with the cats, with a $12 entry fee supporting the rescue’s mission, though adopters visit free after completing an inquiry form. Rooted in a commitment to reducing euthanasia rates—having cut Oakland Animal Services’ cat euthanasia by over 70% since 2011—Cat Town blends a welcoming cafe vibe with a heartfelt dedication to giving every cat a chance at a loving home.
CatCafe Lounge is a nonprofit cat cafe featuring a spacious, cage-free environment with 20-30 adoptable cats and kittens from local rescue partners. Visitors can enjoy 70-minute sessions in multiple areas, including a main cat lounge, kitten lounge, and outdoor catio, all designed with ample vertical space to keep cats comfortable and socialized.
The onsite cafe serves fresh-brewed coffee, tea, and light snacks, with entry fees ranging from $20-$35 supporting the cafe’s mission to reduce euthanasia rates through adoption and socialization efforts. Open to guests aged 7 and up (with adult supervision for ages 7-11), it also offers special events like yoga and sound baths, plus an online store with cat-themed merchandise.
Crumbs & Whiskers is a cat cafe offering a cage-free environment where visitors can interact with adoptable rescue cats and kittens. Partnered with local rescues like Kitten Rescue, it houses cats at risk of euthanasia, providing care until they find homes, with over 2,000 adoptions since opening in 2015.
Guests can book 70-minute sessions for $35 (or $25 on weekdays) to enjoy the lounge, which includes multiple cats and a calming atmosphere, with optional coffee, tea, pastries, and sandwiches available for preorder from a local partner cafe. Founded by Kanchan Singh, the cafe supports its mission to reduce shelter euthanasia rates through entry fees, with additional experiences like kitten parties and private events available.
Feline Good Social Club is a nonprofit cat lounge offering a 1,800-square-foot, cage-free space where visitors can interact with 25-50 adoptable cats and kittens from their rescue partner, Long Beach Felines. 99 to relax, work, or play with the cats, enjoying free Wi-Fi and ample seating in a bright, colorful setting.
The lounge aims to find permanent homes for cats, many rescued from high-risk situations, and supports this mission through admission fees, with additional offerings like private group sessions, yoga, comedy nights, and sound healing events. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.
KitTea Cat Lounge & Cafe is a cat cafe that offers a lounge where visitors can interact with 15-24 adoptable and resident rescue cats from various California shelters. Guests aged 9 and up (with adult supervision for ages 9-12) can book 55-minute sessions to spend time with the cats, with tickets including a complimentary canned beverage, while outside non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are permitted.
Founded in 2013 by Courtney Hatt as the nation’s first established cat cafe, it provides a therapeutic environment with a small menu of snacks like popcorn and candy, aiming to facilitate adoptions—hundreds to date—and support cat welfare through entry fees and an online gift shop with cat-themed merchandise. Open daily with varying hours, reservations are recommended due to a 14-guest capacity limit.
The Cat Café is Southern California’s first cat café and a beloved haven for feline enthusiasts since opening in January 2015. This cozy spot combines award-winning, locally roasted coffee from Café Virtuoso with the company of friendly, adoptable cats from The Rescue House, creating a unique experience where visitors can sip delicious drinks, enjoy pastries from Bread & Cie, and cuddle with potential furry companions.
The café features a thoughtfully designed space with a separated cat playpen—complying with US food service regulations—where guests can relax, attend yoga sessions like "Cats on Mats," or simply unwind with the cats. With a mission to find forever homes for its feline residents, The Cat Café offers a welcoming atmosphere for coffee lovers and cat adopters alike, complete with a menu of local treats and a photo-worthy giant cat mural, making it a purr-fect destination in America’s Finest City.
Cat Cafe Rescue in Chino Hills, California, is a dedicated cat rescue center focused on saving the lives of abandoned and homeless felines while finding them loving forever homes. Operating as a sanctuary, it provides personalized, compassionate care to ensure each cat’s health and happiness, with all adoptable cats being fully vetted—neutered, dewormed, and vaccinated.
Visitors can enjoy a relaxing environment perfect for solitude or socializing with the cats, whether cuddling up with a book and coffee or simply unwinding alongside these furry companions. The center also offers kitten and feline adoption services, welcoming potential adopters to explore the process and meet cats ready to become part of a family.
With a mission rooted in rescue and rehabilitation, Cat Cafe Rescue stands as a haven where cats thrive until they find their perfect match.
Chico Cat Café, located at 1725 Esplanade in Chico, California, is a 1910s-1920s French-inspired haven that opened in 2022 as the city’s first cat café, evolving from its original name, The Great Catsby, to better reflect its community roots. This unique spot serves as a temporary foster home for rescue cats and kittens, partnering with local organizations like Stillwater Cat Haven, ResQpaws, Perfect Paws Animal Advocates, and KAT Charities to save at-risk felines—over 80 in its first year alone—from euthanasia and street life, aiming for one adoption per week.
Visitors can enjoy complimentary brewed coffee from a proprietary roaster, prepackaged snacks, and bottled drinks in a separate snack room, while bonding with up to 12-15 adoptable cats in a cage-free main lounge, with additional spaces like the Nine Lives Wine Lounge (21+) and a student co-working lounge offering free Wi-Fi—all designed to revolutionize cat adoptions in a cozy, feline-focused environment.
Purrmaid Café and Adoption Center is a feline paradise that opened in 2019 as a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional shelters for homeless cats. This cozy spot features a large, cage-free room where about a dozen resident cats roam freely among toys, scratching posts, and soft beds, with a cat door leading to private quarters for when they need a break—visitors can enjoy this feline company for just $6 per half hour, sipping coffee, tea, or water with a snack while relaxing in a soothing environment.
Working with rescues like Hope for Paws and Let Them Be Little, the café ensures all cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and FeLV/FIV-negative, aiming to find them loving homes through a thoughtful adoption process, all while fostering a community space open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm where the motto “Goodbye is the goal” reflects their dedication to every cat’s happy ending.
Frisky Business Palm Springs Cat Café is Coachella Valley’s first and only cat café, opening its doors in December 2022 after founders Claire Rogers and Sonny Von Cleveland spent 16 months bringing their vision to life. This unique spot blends a mid-century modern cat lounge with a coffee shop, offering visitors a chance to sip gourmet beverages like Lamill Coffee and enjoy homemade baked goods while interacting with adoptable cats from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in a cage-free, stress-free environment.
With a mission to find forever homes for every feline resident—boasting six adoptions within its first 10 days—the café fosters community through events like movie nights and book clubs, all while championing inclusivity as a certified neurodiverse workplace and an EmployABILITY Champion recognized by Congressional and California Legislative awards.
Cassie’s Cats is a cozy cat lounge and adoption center that opened its doors in June 2021, born from a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2020 with a mission to place rescued cats and kittens into safe, loving homes. Unlike traditional cat cafés, it doesn’t serve food or drinks but focuses entirely on feline welfare, partnering with local shelters and rescues to socialize and rehome cats—boasting 177 adoptions by September 30, 2024—while offering a welcoming space for visitors to interact with adoptables for a small fee.
Run entirely by volunteers, this haven features a gift shop with cat-themed merchandise and emphasizes educating the public on adoption benefits, spaying/neutering, and caring for neonatal kittens, creating a community-driven sanctuary where every visit supports the cats’ journey to their forever families.
Whiskers & Wine Bar is a pioneering cat café that opened in early 2020 as the county’s only venue of its kind with a full liquor license, offering a stylish two-level rooftop experience in North Park. Founded by Nicole Smith—who left her corporate career inspired by another cat café—and run with her husband Christopher, this lounge pairs creative cocktails like “meowtinis” and “meownhattans” with a full food menu featuring flatbreads and queso kitty tots, all while guests mingle with adoptable cats from Saving One Life in a comfy, controlled environment.
With an entrance fee to support the cats’ care and a reservation-recommended policy to ensure their well-being, Whiskers & Wine fosters a vibrant community through monthly events like kitten yoga, blending feline adoption with a unique social vibe for cat lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
The Caffeinated Cat Cafe is a unique and delightful experience where guests can enjoy the company of friendly, adoptable cats while savoring high-quality beverages and snacks. Our cozy cat lounge is a foster home to 8-11 rescued cats, all eagerly awaiting your attention and affection.
With a warm welcome, comfortable seating, and a wide selection of freshly brewed coffee, aromatic teas, and delicious treats, our cafe is the purrfect spot to relax, read a book, or simply enjoy the peaceful ambiance. By visiting our Cat Cafe, you're not only treating yourself to a delightful experience but also contributing to the well-being of our cats, all of whom are available for adoption.
Tail Town Cat Cafe is a non-profit adoption organization that partners with Kitten Rescue of Los Angeles to find homes for adoption-ready kitties. Located in the City of Pasadena, our cool and comfortable lounge space is home to 30-40 cats, providing a unique and relaxing environment for visitors to play, relax, and purr with our furry friends.
With a variety of fun events from painting classes and art shows to pilates, game nights, and more, there's something for everyone at Tail Town Cat Cafe. Whether you're looking to adopt a new best friend or simply enjoy some quality time with cats, our friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to ensure a purrfect experience.
The Tabby Tea Cat Lounge & Adoption Center, nestled within Cat Tales Feline Health Center in Davis, California, is Sacramento’s pioneering cat café, opening its doors on December 16, 2024, at 606 W. Covell Blvd.
This cozy retreat invites visitors to unwind with up to four adoptable cats from the Yolo County Animal Shelter and SPCA, offering a serene, fear-free space complete with complimentary coffee or boba tea and free Wi-Fi for $10 per hour. Designed to foster adoptions, the lounge features cats like the shy 5-year-old Sally and her affectionate pal Espresso, all spayed/neutered and vaccinated, ready for loving homes—solo or as a pair.
With reservations encouraged via phone or online, it caters to a diverse crowd, including UC Davis students seeking respite, while enforcing gentle rules like wand-toy play to prioritize feline comfort. Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tabby Tea, crafted by owners Julie Cole and Chris Shacoski, blends relaxation, community support, and animal welfare into a purr-fect experience.
Catmosphere Laguna is a unique cat cafe experience that combines the joy of feline companionship with a serene and calming atmosphere. Our spacious cafe is designed to resemble a beachside retreat, complete with natural light, comfortable seating, and soothing ocean-inspired decor.
As you relax and unwind, you'll have the opportunity to interact with our adorable and adoptable felines, who roam freely throughout the cafe. Our expert staff is always on hand to provide guidance and support, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and our feline friends.
With a variety of cat breeds and personalities to choose from, you're sure to find the purrfect companion to brighten your day. Whether you're a cat lover, a busy professional, or simply looking for a relaxing retreat, Catmosphere Laguna is the perfect destination for you.
The Dancing Cat is a cozy and welcoming lounge in San Jose, California, where guests can relax, sip coffee or tea, and spend quality time with friendly, adoptable cats. Designed to feel like a peaceful living room, this nonprofit cat lounge offers a unique, stress-free environment perfect for animal lovers looking to unwind or connect with a future feline companion.
Whether you're stopping by for a quick visit or attending one of their special events, The Dancing Cat provides a heartwarming experience that supports local cat adoptions and community outreach.
Mini Cat Town San Jose is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Northern California, founded by three sisters—Thi, Thoa, and Tram Bui—with a mission to rescue and rehome neonatal kittens. Nestled inside the Eastridge Shopping Center, their Kitten Lounge & Adoption Floor offers a cozy, living room-style space where visitors can play, cuddle, and connect with adoptable kittens.
Open daily for walk-ins, the lounge provides a unique and heartwarming experience that supports kitten socialization and adoption efforts. Each visit directly contributes to saving the lives of vulnerable kittens and helping them find loving forever homes.
Mini Cat Town Pleasanton is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit kitten rescue and adoption lounge located inside the Stoneridge Shopping Center. Founded by sisters Thi, Thoa, and Tram Bui, the organization is dedicated to rescuing neonatal kittens and helping them find their forever homes.
The cozy, living room-style lounge offers visitors the opportunity to interact with playful, adoptable kittens in a relaxed setting. Open daily—Monday through Saturday from 12 PM to 7 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM—admission is on a walk-in basis and may be subject to a waitlist, especially on weekends.
Each visit supports Mini Cat Town's mission to save vulnerable kittens across California.
Mini Cat Town Santa Rosa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit kitten rescue and adoption lounge located inside Santa Rosa Plaza. Founded by sisters Thi, Thoa, and Tram Bui, the organization is dedicated to rescuing neonatal kittens and helping them find their forever homes.
The cozy, living room-style lounge offers visitors the opportunity to interact with playful, adoptable kittens in a relaxed setting. Open daily from 12 PM to 7 PM on a walk-in basis, the lounge provides a unique and heartwarming experience that supports kitten socialization and adoption efforts.
Each visit directly contributes to saving the lives of vulnerable kittens and helping them find loving forever homes.
Mini Cat Town Great Mall is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit kitten rescue and adoption lounge located inside Milpitas' Great Mall. Founded by sisters Thi, Thoa, and Tram Bui, the organization is dedicated to rescuing neonatal kittens and helping them find their forever homes.
The cozy, living room-style lounge offers visitors the opportunity to interact with playful, adoptable kittens in a relaxed setting. Open daily from 12 PM to 7 PM on a walk-in basis, the lounge provides a unique and heartwarming experience that supports kitten socialization and adoption efforts.
Each visit directly contributes to saving the lives of vulnerable kittens and helping them find loving forever homes.
The Cat Lounge Rescue and Adoption Center, located at 1006 Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla, California, is San Diego’s first and only non-profit cat lounge, founded in 2019 with a mission to reimagine the shelter experience. This all-women-owned and operated haven rescues cats from high-kill shelters across Southern California, providing them with full medical care—FVRCP vaccinations, microchips, deworming, and flea medication—and a cage-free, living-room-like environment where they can roam and socialize with visitors.
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, the lounge welcomes the public to meet adoptable cats, hosts private events, and offers affordable basic care services daily (except Mondays and Wednesdays) from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, blending adoption opportunities with community education in a cozy, compassionate setting.
Champy’s Catfé, nestled inside FieldHaven Marketplace at 454 F Street in Lincoln, California, offers a cozy retreat where visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while spending quality time with adorable, adoptable cats from FieldHaven Feline Center. This charming café, part of a thrift store that supports the non-profit cat rescue, invites guests to unwind in a relaxed, home-like setting—perfect for reading, working on a laptop with free Wi-Fi, or simply cuddling with friendly felines.
Named after Champy, the blind “spokescat” rescued in 2014 from a hoarding situation, the café reflects a commitment to providing a safe, loving environment for cats awaiting their forever homes, with a straightforward adoption process for those who fall in love with a furry companion.
The Itty Bitty Kitty Café, located in Cambrian Park Plaza in San Jose, offers a heartwarming experience where visitors can interact with playful, adoptable kittens in a cozy environment. Operated by Itty Bitty Orphan Kitty Rescue (IBOK), the café provides 50-minute sessions for guests aged five and older, supporting the rescue and rehoming of orphaned kittens.
Open on weekends from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the café welcomes both reservations and walk-ins, with admission fees of $15 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children aged 5-11. Guests not only enjoy quality time with kittens but also contribute to a meaningful cause.
For more details or to book a visit, check IBOK’s official website.
Cat Chillin' Zone, Contra Costa County’s first cat lounge, is a woman-owned nonprofit in Martinez, CA, dedicated to rescuing senior cats at risk of euthanasia and helping them find loving homes. Visitors can relax in a cozy environment, interact with adoptable cats, and support the rescue mission through admission fees, which contribute to adoption costs.
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, the lounge offers scheduled visits, fun community events like trivia and karaoke nights, and a straightforward adoption process. With same-day adoptions available, Cat Chillin' Zone provides a second chance for senior cats while offering a unique, heartwarming experience for guests.
Nabi Cat Café, located at 2255 The Alameda in Santa Clara, California, is the Bay Area’s first Korean-inspired cat café, blending a passion for rescue cats with a cozy, cultural twist. Founded by sisters-in-law Christine Hedeen and Ailee Kim, this charming spot opened its doors on March 18, 2025, after a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Visitors can sip Korean-inspired drinks like tiramisu lattes and matcha sourced from Jeju Island, Korea, enjoy pastries from local bakeries, and spend time with adoptable cats in a serene, stylish lounge. Partnering with Town Cats, Nabi—meaning "butterfly" in Korean, a nod to street cats—aims to ease shelter overcrowding by fostering and finding forever homes for its feline residents, while offering guests a calming escape from the everyday.
Operating on a timed-entry system (one hour with a complimentary drink included), the café is open Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 AM to 7 PM, with student discounts available and a vibrant atmosphere enriched by the founders’ Korean heritage, making it a standout destination for cat lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike in the heart of Santa Clara.