The time has come to do some brainstorming about how to celebrate our moms, grandmothers, 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.
đď¸ Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
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 the Pickwick Vintage Show, which presents 70+ vendors from throughout California; a free dried flower bouquet making station where you can make your own Mother’s Day gifts; and the popular Gardeneur Plant Market with beautiful plant varieties for sale and eco-friendly gifts.
đď¸ Date: May 11, 2025
đ Location: Ferry Building, San Francisco
đ Learn more: Read our article for more Ferry Building activities
2. Mother’s Day 2025 at the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium presents a special Mother’s Day-themed experience for families, especially “mamĂĄs latinas.” They will offer bilingual programming for everyone, Â folklĂłrico dances, hot chocolate tasting, and paper flower making. This is one of the Exploratorium’s rare “pay as you wish” days, so don’t miss out.
đď¸ Date: May 11, 2025
đ Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco
đ Learn more: Mother’s Day 2025 at the Exploratorium
3. A “Pops” Mom’s Concert at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell
The historic Golden Gate Park Band is back for 2025, and Mother’s Day brings a special performance dedicated to mothers everywhere. The program will include Sir Arthur Sullivan’s “Pineapple Poll,” Chaminade’s “Concertino for Solo Flute,” Sousa’s “Mother Hubbard March,” and more.
đď¸ Date: May 11, 2025
đ Location: Golden Gate Park Bandshell, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
đ 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 Gary Clark Jr., Nile Rodgers & Chic, The Crosby Collective, Monophonics, and more. The family-friendly music festival is just about 20 minutes from SF by car and will make for a great Mother’s Day outing.
đď¸ Date: May 10-11, 2025
đ Location: Friends Field, Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA
đ Learn more: Mill Valley Music Festival
6. Explore a local museumÂ
There are plenty of wonderful exhibitions on view in SF right now, and on Saturday, the de Young and Legion of Honor are free to visit for residents. We recommend checking out the Paul McCartney exhibition at the de Young, especially if your mom is a Beatles fan, or the new Wayne Thiebaud exhibition on the Legion of Honor.
7. Book a table for one of these Mother’s Day restaurant specials
Several San Francisco restaurants pull out all the stops with Mother’s Day menu specials. Here’s a quick rundown of some of our favorites from last yearâwe’ll update with 2025 specials when they’re released.
- Chotto Matte
- Astra at the St. Regis
- Z&Y Peking Duck
- Sessions
- Colibri Mexican Bistro
8. 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 11 – Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile
- May 11 – Inner Sunset Flea Market with Sunset Mercantile
- And more
9. 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. Thatâs why weâve 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.
10. Adopt some plant children at these dazzling SF nurseries and plant stores
San Francisco is full of countless awesome plant stores and nurseries, but weâve 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.
11. 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 youâre looking for a quick stroll along the Lands End Trail or a more strenuous day hike up Mission Peak, these incredible nearby routes are great for a chance to stretch your legs.
12. 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 thereâs 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, youâll love all of these great options.
13. Embark on a scenic Bay Area day trip
Mother’s Day in San Francisco is a great opportunity to explore the Bay Area on an 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.