Photo and sand sculpture by Santa Cruz Sand
Bountiful brunches are just the beginning of things to do for Mother’s Day in Santa Cruz, which falls on Sunday, May 12.
From shopping to the great outdoors, we’ve rounded up the best ways to spend some quality time with Mom throughout Mother’s Day weekend.
So make those brunch reservations and start planning to spoil, indulge, and celebrate mom — she deserves it.
Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch
Bargetto Winery
Bargetto’s creekside courtyard makes for a scenic brunch setting on mom’s special day. Enjoy a gourmet buffet catered by Erika’s Catering and raise your glass of hand-crafted wine in a toast to the guest of honor.
When: Arrival at 11:30 am, Brunch served at 12:00 pm
Cost: General $55 / Children 5 and older $43
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Indulge mom with panoramic ocean views, sparkling champagne, and a phenomenal buffet featuring a seafood bar, omelet station, and carvery. You might want to go the extra mile and treat her with a gift certificate to the spa, too. Just saying.
When: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: Adults $65 / Children 6-12 $20
Roaring Camp Railroads
Roaring Camp will be serving a special Mother’s Day menu in Bret Harte Hall, with live music accompaniment by Pat Hull. Come for the brunch buffet, stay for a relaxing train ride through the redwoods.
When: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
Cost: Brunch only – Adults: $39 and Children: $29; Brunch & Train – Adults $69 and Children $50
Severino’s
Severino’s is pulling out all the stops for mom with an “endless” champagne brunch and a complimentary rose. A carving station, shrimp cocktails, and dessert extravaganza are just a few of the specials that await. Extend the day’s festivities with a walk to the Cement Ship at nearby Seacliff State Beach.
When: Brunch 10:00 am to 2:30 pm (Closed for Dinner)
Cost: Adults $48 / Kids 6-12 $19 / under 5 Free
Shadowbrook
Hop in the cable car and ride in style to your Mother’s Day feast. Shadowbrook will be serving its dinner menu all day along with Mother’s Day specials such as Sweet-Glazed Ham and Slow-Roasted Leg of Spring Lamb. Save room for Strawberry Vanilla Cake for dessert.
When: 11:00 am to 8:30 pm
Additional Mother’s Day Brunch Restaurants
- Avanti
- Crow’s Nest
- Ella’s at the Airport
- Gayle’s Bakery
- Hindquarter Bar & Grille
- Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
- The Hollins House
- Inn at Pasatiempo
- Johnny’s Harborside
- Kianti’s
- Michael’s on Main
- Paradise Beach Grille
- Süda
- Your Place Farm to Table
- Zelda’s on the Beach
Mother’s Day Weekend Shopping
41st Annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale
When: 5/11 9:00 am to 2:00 pm; 5/12 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo College Horticulture and Agriculture Technology Center
It’s pretty obvious why Cabrillo College holds its annual spring plant sale on Mother’s Day weekend, isn’t it? This popular event boasts over 1000 different organic vegetable starts, perennial edible crops, annuals, bedding plants, culinary & medicinal herbs, cut flowers, natives, perennials, salvias, succulents and vines.
Midtown Mother’s Day Stroll
When: 5/11 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Soquel Ave. shops from Pine through Seabright
Stroll Soquel Ave. from Pine Street thru Seabright Avenue and stop into your favorite shops for great deals and to peruse local vendor pop-ups. Enjoy music and food trucks along the way!
Mother’s Day Mini Portrait Session
When: 5/11 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Home/Work 1100 Soquel Ave.
Cost: $25 per family
Part of the Midtown Mother’s Day Stroll, this is the perfect opportunity to get mom in the photo, surrounded by her loved ones. In this mini photo session, local portrait photographer Leyla Kuhn will be capturing families in front of a cute backdrop. Bonus: all proceeds will be donated to Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center. Be sure to reserve your time.
Mother’s Day Weekend Art, Floral & Makers Market
When: 5/11 from 11:00 to 5:00 pm
Where: Beer Thirty Bottle shop and Pour House
Get your Mother’s Day shopping done and enjoy some special beer, cider, and kombucha while you’re at it. Shop custom handmade bouquets, jewelry, ceramics, soaps, and more. For the foodie mamas, Ashby Confections and Flour and Love Bakery will be on hand with delicious goods.
Spring Art Market at The Tannery
When: 5/12 from 10:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: The Tannery
For the mom who loves local art, the Tannery is holding its annual Spring Art Market featuring over 40 Santa Cruz artists. Enjoy live music, beer/wine, and food trucks, or get a bite to eat at Bistro One Twelve at the Tannery. Bring the kids for face painting, ping pong, and arts & crafts.
Roses of Yesterday and Today Mother’s Day Open House
When: 5/12 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: 803 Browns Valley Road, Corralitos
Stop and smell the roses at the annual Roses of Yesterday and Today Mother’s Day Open House. Enjoy light refreshments, the garden in full bloom, and potted roses for sale. While you’re in Corralitos, stop by the Corralitos Market for some picnic items and take mom on a little wine tasting tour along the Corralitos Wine Trail.
Outdoors and More
Mother’s Day Walk: Women of Big Basin
When: 5/12 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free; Day-use parking $10
What better way to celebrate the strength and spirit of motherhood than with a stroll among mighty redwoods and a living history reenactment that pays tribute to some key women in Big Basin’s history. This 0.5 mile, 2-hour guided walk is wheel chair and stroller accessible.
34th Annual Mother’s Day Run/Walk for Shelter
When: 5/12 from 7:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: Ramsay Park, Watsonville
Work up your appetite for brunch and kick off Mother’s Day with a beautiful trek around Watsonville’s slough trails. This race/walk benefits Pajaro Valley Shelter Services and its mission to help families experiencing homelessness help themselves. All ages and skill levels are invited to join the fun, including families with strollers.
Downtown Santa Cruz Wine Walk – Mother’s Day Edition
When: 5/12 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Where: Downtown Santa Cruz Cost: Advance $35 + service fee; Day of $40 (if available)
It’s kind of outdoors, and kind of indoors. There might be a little shopping, but really it’s all about taking mom out for some quality time together, strolling through downtown shops and wine tasting. Featuring wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Central Coast, this is a great opportunity to taste and discover mom’s new favorite and keep it stocked for visits.
Mother’s Day at The Seymour Center
When: 5/12 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: $7 – $9 (Toddlers 2 and under Free)
The Seymour Center is surrounded by a beautiful seaside path, perfect for walking off brunch. Take the littles to learn about moms who live in the ocean and make a special ocean-themed Mother’s Day gift on the spot. Plus, the first 125 moms who visit will receive a handcrafted chocolate from Ashby Confections!
Mother’s Day Wagon Rides
When: 5/12 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park
Cost: Day-use parking $10
Looking for something fun and different? Bring mom for a wagon ride at Wilder Ranch! Meet the new team of Belgian draft horses, Margaret and Millie, then enjoy a picnic on the ranch or scenic hike along the ocean bluffs.
