Goat Yoga has been on my radar for the past year. To be honest, I’m not much of a ‘Yogi’ as they say, but I am a big fan of animals, so the idea of incorporating them into this exercise sounded right up my alley. 

For those who are curious about Goat Yoga and want an honest opinion of what to expect, I’ll give you the lowdown on all the details, including whether I think it’s worth your time and money. 
The program I signed up with is called Laughing Frog Yoga, who provide the yoga, and they partner with Hello Critter Care, who provide the adorable goats. Tickets were $39 – surprisingly much cheaper than I thought. 

For $39, you get an hour-long yoga class with the goats plus time afterward for photo opportunities. However, you are welcome to take pictures throughout the class as well. The event was located at Marine Park in Santa Monica, California. The best part about that? Free parking! And at 9:00 am on a Saturday you should have no trouble finding an open spot. 

We arrived shortly before 9. Although they email tickets when you initially sign up online, once we got there, they just asked for the name on the reservation to check us in. I'd still recommend having your tickets with you though just in case.

Right away all our attention was diverted to the goats, who were accompanied by a professional handler. Initially, I was disappointed to only see two goats there, but the handler does a great job of bringing them around to everyone throughout the class. 

Most classes seem to advertise baby goats. For ours, we had one baby goat and the other was larger. Goats are known to jump around, so you should expect them to jump on your back or walk through your legs. The baby goat is so light you barely feel it, but for those with back problems, the bigger goat may be harder to handle. However, you can always address this beforehand if you have any concerns.

Once the class was done, the handler once again came around with the goats for photo ops, and I will say, those goats are clearly used to having their picture taken. The baby goat, Koko, was especially great at looking right into the camera. Does she work in the movies too? 

Goat Yoga Pros:
1. Affordable price
2. Unique outdoor excursion with animals
3. Friendly staff

Goat Yoga Cons:
1. Only two goats
2. Goats may go to the bathroom near you

Should you do it?
​
Honestly, I think this was totally worth it, especially if you’re looking for something fun and unique to do. My biggest critique was that we only had two goats and the class was likely around 25-30 people. Had the price been higher, I would say pass, but it was still affordable enough to not feel discouraged about spending the money with limited goat access. The biggest misconception is that the goats are free to run around. Instead, a handler takes them around to everyone throughout the class multiple times to help guarantee everyone gets time with the goats. All in all, I would recommend this as a great activity to try out. 

For those who love animals, I feel like we go through this roller coaster when it comes to zoos. We initially go because we love animals and want to see them. Then, when we’re actually there, we immediately become sad because the creatures we love are caged up. 

In nearly a decade of living in Los Angeles, I had yet to go the zoo here, so I decided now that the LA Zoo is open, it was the perfect time to finally check it out. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, you have to purchase LA Zoo tickets and book an entry time slot ahead of time.

When we arrived around 11:30am, the line to get in was pretty minimal and it only took a few minutes to get inside. It was a gloomy day, but not nearly as gloomy as the venue seemed. The Los Angeles Zoo felt small, and honestly, kind of depressing. We also noticed that multiple animals were missing from exhibits, but I also take into consideration it may have been related to the pandemic. Still, I found the overall experience lacking.

LA Zoo Pros:
1. Affordable tickets
2. Free parking
3. Minimal crowds (*Covid consideration)

LA Zoo Cons:
1. Smaller selection of wildlife
2. Some exhibits closed (*Covid consideration)

Is is worth it?

I wanted to love the zoo in the city I live in, but the truth is that I’d recommend making the trek down to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park instead. It is likely that Covid affected many of the zoo's exhibits, so I also take this into consideration and suggest postponing an LA Zoo visit until the pandemic is fully over.

​Of course, the biggest takeaway is to remember how important it is to be kind to our planet and all animals. Some zoos (including San Diego) are doing some important conservation work, which should be acknowledged, and we should also hold zoos around the world accountable when it comes to the humane treatment of animals. 

Just in time for Summer 2021, California has officially reopened. It’s been an intense time and many Californians (yours truly included) are eager to have fun and explore. Additionally, Los Angeles tourism is slowly but surely emerging again, so whether you’re an LA local or just visiting, I’ll share with you the best ways to spend your summer in LA LA Land. These LA travel recommendations include off-the-beaten-path ideas and some LA staples that you may haven’t thought of. 

1. Visit the Getty Villa Museum
You may not associate Los Angeles with Rome or Greece, but you can escape to these places right in the City of Angeles. Okay, well sort of! The Getty Villa Museum, located right off the Pacific Highway just north of Santa Monica is reminiscent of the architecture and aesthetic you can find in those European destinations. It’s also one of the most popular museums in the LA area with both indoor and outdoor areas. While the artifacts are fascinating for those who enjoy history, the venue itself is a work of art. Tickets are free, but you have to pay $20 for parking. Because the Villa Museum is so popular, it can be tricky to book. They are open daily from 10am-5pm except for Tuesdays. You have to book a reservation in advance and your tickets will be emailed to you. Getting in on a weekend can be difficult, so if you’re able to, try and book a time slot during the week instead.

2. Catch a Dodgers Game
Baseball is back, and here’s your chance to see the World Series champs (humble brag) in their home stadium. Dodgers Stadium overlooks Elysian Park on the East side of Los Angeles City, which means it also has some incredible views. Of course, ticket prices are dependent upon multiple factors such as where you sit, but you can definitely find some budget-friendly deals. Just don’t forget to order yourself a Dodger Dog while you’re there!

3. Go Paddle Boarding 
Here’s a way to enjoy the water, get active, and explore at the same time. LA’s coastal neighborhoods such as Long Beach and Marina del Rey offer paddle boarding that you should definitely consider taking advantage of. Long Beach is my personal recommendation. Once you’re on the board, paddle your way around waterfront homes and boats as you navigate the canals.

4. Hit the Beach
Of course, no trip to Los Angeles – or California for that matter – is complete without a visit to the beach. Santa Monica is a great option because you have the beach, a paved trail to go biking or roller blading, the famous pier, and shops at the 3rd St. Promenade all right there. Other great beach spots include Will Rogers State Beach and Malibu. If you’re looking for a day trip from LA, the beaches in Orange County are even better! Huntington Beach is where you’ll catch plenty of surfers, while Laguna Beach has a great local town to explore in addition to a pretty beach area.