Six fluffy locals with names like Hazel, Willow, and Appa have turned a corner of a Tempe acai shop into one of the most talked-about stress relievers in the East Valley. Layla’s Bunnyville is exactly what it sounds like: a pop-up bunny petting experience tucked next to La Jolla Acai Bowls near McClintock and Warner, where you can sit down, slow down, and let a handful of very good rabbits hop across your lap.
The whole thing started with a teenager’s obsession. Founder Layla Sandoval, a Tempe native who spent eight years in English-style horseback riding, fell down a bunny-content rabbit hole on TikTok and turned that curiosity into a real, hands-on business when patio space opened up at her family’s building. What began as a passion project has since landed her on Fox 10 Phoenix and CW7 Arizona, and it’s quickly become the kind of only-in-Tempe outing locals love showing off to out-of-town guests.
What To Expect During Your Visit
Sessions run in a few flavors depending on how much bunny time you’re after. The 30-minute “Most Loved” session runs $30 per person and gets you face time with the entire crew, while the 20-minute option at $20 introduces you to four of the bunnies. Budget-minded visitors can catch a 10-minute express session for $10 on select Mondays, and every session is staff-guided so first-timers never feel unsure of how to approach or hold a rabbit.
The six-bunny roster has real personalities, and Willow has emerged as the unofficial mascot. She’s known for being choosy about attention, stomping a tiny foot when she’s had enough, and genuinely playing with toys like a tiny, furry diva who knows she’s the main attraction. Hazel, Ash, and Cato round out the original crew, with newcomers Olaf and Appa joining more recently, each with their own quirks worth discovering in person.
Because it’s a pop-up, the bunnies only show up on select event days rather than being a daily fixture, which actually adds to the appeal. Checking the schedule online before you head over is worth the extra step, and it’s common for people to finish a session and immediately hop back on the waitlist for another round because twenty minutes with a bunny in your lap tends to go by fast.
Birthday parties have become a signature offering too, with private packages built around desserts, party favors, and a keepsake bunny experience for the birthday child, giving families an animal-encounter alternative to the usual bounce-house circuit.
Atmosphere & Vibe
Don’t expect a sprawling farm setup. This is an intimate, small-footprint space attached to a juice and acai bowl shop, and that coziness is intentional. The pace is deliberately slow, with an emphasis on quiet movement and letting the bunnies set the rhythm rather than chasing them around for a photo.
It reads less like a typical petting zoo and more like a mini reset button plopped in a Tempe strip mall. Soft lighting, calm energy, and gentle animals combine to create a genuinely soothing pocket of time, which is exactly the point behind the whole operation: a fun, calming experience rather than a chaotic one.
Other Considerations
Do I need a reservation? Not necessarily. Walk-ins are welcome and you can scan a QR code on-site to join the waitlist, though booking online ahead of time guarantees your spot for a specific time slot.
Is it good for kids? Yes, the bunnies are described as gentle and well-suited to younger visitors, and staff guidance throughout each session helps kids learn how to interact respectfully with the animals.
How much does it cost? Standard sessions run $20 to $30 per person depending on length, with a discounted $10 express option available on select Mondays, and private birthday party packages starting at $600.
Is it open every day? No, it operates as a pop-up on select dates rather than daily hours, so checking the online schedule before making the trip is essential.
Layla’s Bunnyville
📍 1701 E Warner Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284
Website: https://laylasbunnyville.com/
