Brunch, yoga and fresh air: your definitive guide to Mother’s Day on the Peninsula

by Sarah Klearman May 2, 2019 1516 Views

Now all you’ve got left to do is secure the reservation and buy the flowers.

First thing’s first: don’t panic, it’s not this weekend.

But Mother’s Day (May 12th this year) is on the horizon, and we figured we’d get the jump on what exactly the Peninsula has to offer in the name of all Moms everywhere. You know — like the organized, calendar-centric, never last minute, mother-having people we are.

Truly, though, since springtime on the Peninsula is notorious for flying by, we made a point to catch this one ahead of time (which means you can, too). Whether you’re looking to celebrate in classic fashion (ahem… brunch) or you’d like to try something different this year, we’ve got Mother’s Day on the Peninsula mapped out for you. There’s a lot going on, too — everything from beer yoga to hiking to events just for moms with younger kids in tow. Enough said: we’ll let you get to it (just don’t forget to have everyone sign the card).

Brunch: build-your-own, with bubbles or in a picnic basket

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we’re astounded by the the high quality food scene on the Peninsula, and the spectrum of offerings for Mother’s Day Brunch varies in the best of ways. A few that have caught our eye: Porta Blu (offering live jazz entertainment and a kid’s flower bouquet station), Mullins Bar & Grill (food stations for omelettes, seafood and fresh bagels, among other things), 47 Hills Brewing Company (order their beer alongside the brunch menu) and The Mountain Terrace (enjoy their build-your-own Bloody Mary bar surrounded by scenic forestry).

The Village Pub is also offering a special brunch seating for Mother’s Day ($80 a person gets you a three course meal) as is Shoreline Lake Boathouse & American Bistro, which is offering up brunch picnic baskets to go (and picnic by the lake, of course) alongside its regular menu.

Middle, Wisteria in full bloom on the Filoli mansion; center, the set up at Hotel Nia’s Porta Blu; right, Filoli estate in full bloom just in time for Mother’s Day events. (Does it get more scenic?) (Photos via Instagram)

You could also pay Filoli a visit: even just a walk around the grounds would be a great way to spend some quality time with your mom on Mother’s Day, but you could also opt in to their ever-popular Mother’s Day Weekend (tea and sandwiches in the gardens) or their special day-of Mother’s Day Mad Hatter Tea, which is a notorious best seller.

Let the kids run the show

If you’re balancing celebrations with entertaining young children — firstly, props to you. And secondly, keep an eye out for Redwood City’s Almost Mother’s Day Kids Concert Saturday the 11th, which will feature an inflatable playground and a gift making station alongside the live music. If you’re out on the coast, Hungry Kitchen in Half Moon Bay is hosting a Saturday Mother’s Day Tea for moms and children ages 5–12. Kids and parents will have the chance to cook together and make a little something for mothers. If you’re planning a little further in advance, Los Altos Library is hosting bath bomb and card-making for children 3rd grade and up on Thursday the 9th.

Downward Drinking Dog’s Yoga + Bubbles class returns as part of their Sun’s Out series. Celebrate your mom in the good weather with a drink in hand. (Photo via Facebook)

Stretch (and sip)

Whatever it is that makes the Peninsula so attractive to yogis — and thus a pseudo yoga hotspot — we’re grateful for it, and your mom might be, too. If she’s the type to enjoy honing her practice, take her to a free yoga class at Lululemon in Palo Alto hosted by CorePower Yoga on Sunday. Class is 45 minutes long and open to all skill levels (and it’s first come first serve). Samyama Yoga in Palo Alto is hosting a special Mother’s Day Yin Yoga class (sign up for $25).

So maybe your mom hasn’t traditionally been into yoga — like, she’d rather sit back and sip on something instead. If she’s up for doing a little bit of both, Downward Drinking Dog is hosting Yoga + Bubbles on Saturday the 11th as part of their Sun’s Out series; flow through class outdoors at Hotel Nia and have a glass of sparkling wine afterwards. (If you sit down for Brunch at Porta Blu afterwards, your second glass of champagne is complimentary. Just think of it as a mild, day-before-Mother’s Day pregame).

That something to sip on we mentioned? Take it to go: Los Alto’s Mother’s Day Wine Stroll is Friday the 10th at 6pm. Tickets are $40 and include tastings from 17 local wineries — arrive early and grab a bite to eat or check in.

An especially scenic shot of Hidden Villa in Los Altos, which will host a Mother’s Day themed Day at the Farm Sunday the 12th.

Spend the day outside

Maybe you know your mom would rather escape the bustle of reservations and drinks. Lucky for her (and for you!) there are plenty of ways to celebrate Mother’s Day outside on the Peninsula, like the family birdwatching walk that the Sequoia Audubon Society is hosting in Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park out in Half Moon Bay on Sunday. Bring binoculars, if you’ve got ‘em.

It’s also opening weekend for a whole roster of fantastic seasonal farmers markets, including Palo Alto Farmers Market on Saturday (Daly City’s year round market returns Saturday, too). Menlo Park Farmers Market, which opens May 5, returns Sunday, as does the spectacular year-round Mountain View Farmers Market. Grab Mom for some street food, fresh produce, fruit samples and sun.

Also in the name of the great outdoors, Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills is having Mother’s Day at the Farm. Spend some time in the pinicle of picturesque Peninsula nature while making a nature craft or a card for the big day.

Also notable: Sur La Table in Palo Alto is hosting two Mother’s Day centric cooking classes: one for kids aged 8 and older, Mommy & Me: Let’s Bake (baking menu includes brownies, cookies and buttermilk scones), and Mother’s Day Macarons (ages 14 and older) in which participants (and moms) will learn to make homemade macaroons of various flavors.

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