The time has come to do some brainstorming about how to celebrate our moms, grandmas, or other family members we’d like to honor on this special day. Whether you’re looking to celebrate Mother’s Day in San Francisco on a budget, or you want to go all-out with a nice Mother’s Day brunch, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you get the ball rolling.
🗓️ Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
1. Check out Mother’s Day events at the Ferry Building
San Francisco’s Ferry Building will host a number of Mother’s Day events including a free “Ferry Family Day” crafts station, where families can create gifts including pop-up cards, jewelry, and flower crafts; a free dried flower bouquet making station; and a floral bouquet cookie decorating class.
🗓️ Date: May 12, 2024
📍 Location: Ferry Building, San Francisco
🌐 Learn more:
- “Ferry Family Day”
- Dried flower bouquet making
- Mother’s Day Floral Bouquet cookie decorating class
- Gardeneur Plant Market
2. Mother’s Day 2024 at the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium presents a special Mother’s Day-themed experience for families, especially “mamás latinas.” They will offer bilingual programming for everyone, folklórico dances, a mariachi concert, and paper flower making. This is one of the Exploratorium’s rare “pay as you wish” days, so don’t miss out.
🗓️ Date: May 12, 2024
📍 Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco
🌐 Learn more: Mother’s Day 2024 at the Exploratorium
3. A Pops Mom’s Concert at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell
The historic Golden Gate Park Band is back for 2024, and Mother’s Day brings a special performance dedicated to mothers everywhere. The program will include Leroy Anderson’s “Belle of the Ball,” Verdi’s “Triumphal March from ‘Aida,'” John Phillip Sousa’s “The Mother Hubbard March” and the “Mother Goose March,” and more.
🗓️ Date: May 12, 2024, 1-2:30 pm
📍 Location: Golden Gate Park Bandshell, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
🌐 Learn more: Golden Gate Park Band
4. Make a reservation for Mother’s Day brunch in San Francisco
Some would argue that brunch is the most important meal of the day. Be sure to get your recommended daily allowance of crispy bacon, fluffy pancakes, mimosas, and egg scrambles at these spectacular brunch spots around the city, from the elegant patio at Foreign Cinema to the generous spread at Brenda’s French Soul Food.
5. Get tickets to the Mill Valley Music Festival
The Mill Valley Music Festival is back with an incredible lineup at the base of Mt. Tam this year. Headliners include Fleet Foxes, Greensky Bluegrass, Thee Sacred Souls, Margo Price, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones. The family-friendly music festival is just about 20 minutes from SF by car and will make for a great Mother’s Day outing.
🗓️ Date: May 11-12, 2024
📍 Location: Friends Field, Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA
🌐 Learn more: Mill Valley Music Festival
6. Book a table for one of these Mother’s Day restaurant specials
Several San Francisco restaurants are pulling out all the stops this year with special Mother’s Day menu specials. Here’s a quick rundown of some of our favorites:
- Chotto Matte: The Mother’s Day menu is available May 11-12, with a pre-fixed menu for $115 per person. Dishes include yellowtail Nikkei sashimi, crab tostada, wagyu beef gyoza, and more.
- Astra at the St. Regis: Although Mother’s Day brunch sold out for May 12, Astra extended its special to include Saturday as well.
- Z&Y Peking Duck: SF’s hottest new Chinese restaurant is serving a delightful prix fixe menu on Mother’s Day with an impressive Peking Duck dish.
- Sessions: Enjoy a three-course Mother’s Day brunch menu at $75 for adults and $30 for children.
- Colibri Mexican Bistro: Get a special Mother’s Day cocktail and flower crown.
7. Seek out an open-air market to do some gift shopping
Whether you want to pick up some produce at a bountiful spring farmers market, or you’re looking to do some gift shopping at one of SF’s eclectic artisan fairs, you’ll find plenty of recurring markets to look forward to around Mother’s Day.
- May 12 – Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile
- May 12 – Inner Sunset Flea Market with Sunset Mercantile
- And more
8. Take a stroll around these unique gardens in SF
San Francisco is home to endless memorable gardens, but the most unique ones can take some digging to find. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of interesting and unforgettable gardens in SF for you to get a breath of fresh air. From SF Botanical Garden’s Garden of Fragrance to the Academy of Science’s Living Roof, here are some of the most unique local gardens that make for a lovely escape within the city.
9. Adopt some plant children at these dazzling SF nurseries and plant stores
San Francisco is full of countless awesome plant stores and nurseries, but we’ve rounded up the best ones so you can continue growing your plant family. Whether or not you have a green thumb, these spots are certainly worth a visit. If you’re looking for a more interactive experience, Succulence has a planting bar that lets you create your own beautiful arrangements, and Arcana doubles as a wine bar with weekly jazz nights.
10. Get a breath of fresh air on one of these stunning local hikes
In the Bay Area, a beautiful view is always right around the corner. Whether you’re looking for a quick stroll along the Lands End Trail or a more strenuous day hike up Mission Peak, these incredible nearby routes for are great for a chance to stretch your legs.
11. Enjoy a meal at one of these charming local picnic spots
San Francisco is home to some of the best parks and gardens in the world, so there’s no shortage of awesome picnic spots for you to enjoy a meal with friends. Whether you want to support a local cafe and get some amazing food to go, or you prefer to pack your own delicious recipe to enjoy out in the sunshine, you’ll love all of these great options.
12. Embark on a scenic Bay Area day trip
Mother’s Day in San Francisco is a great opportunity to explore the Bay Area on a unforgettable day trip. From wine tasting at Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga, to seeing all the beautiful spring blooms at Filoli Estate & Gardens, we love these destinations that appeal to the whole family.