33 Things To Do on Mother’s Day 2024 in San Francisco

Mother's Day in San Francisco and the Bay Area is a special occasion with unique activities and experiences to honor and celebrate moms. Families can indulge in delectable brunches with sweeping waterfront views. For those seeking outdoor adventures, exploring Golden Gate Park or Muir Woods means bonding with mom amidst lush greenery and blooming flowers. 

With cultural events, opportunities to get on the water, and fire pits on the beach, Mother's Day in San Francisco and the Bay Area offers endless ways to express gratitude and create lasting memories with the most important woman in our lives.

For more ideas to celebrate Mother's Day, discover 100 fun free things to do in San Francisco with kids, trek over to these urban family-friendly San Francisco hikes, and check out our Spring Fun Guide for San Francisco kids.  

Mother's Day in San Francisco & The Bay Area 

1. Filoli Historic House & Garden — Woodside

Mother's Day at Filoli will be like stepping into a storybook setting, with its meticulously manicured gardens, historic mansion, and tranquil atmosphere to a bygone era of elegance and beauty.

2. Mother's Day Brunch 

Going out to brunch for Mother's Day is a delicious and mess-free way to celebrate mom. Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco and Seacliff Inn in Aptos serve all the brunch favorites. 

3. Tilden Regional Park — Orinda

With hikes, a carousel, train rides, a plant nursery, and plenty of space for a picnic on a sunny day, this East Bay spot makes a relaxing day to celebrate mom while the kids have plenty of outdoor entertainment. 

4. Mother's Day Cruise 

Board the San Francisco Belle for brunch or dinner, or take the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry for a sunset cruise with beautiful Bay views as the backdrop to the day. 

5. SF Giants Game — San Francisco

Root for the Giants on Mother's Day as they play the Cincinnati Reds. Plus, score a free crossbody bag! 

6. Dandelion Chocolate Tour — San Francisco

Moms with a sweet tooth will love a chocolate tour at the renowned Dandelion Chocolate. See the production line and indulge in delicious chocolate samples during this immersive and unique San Francisco experience. 

 
Mom will love a family adventure in Muir Woods. Photo by Gina Ragland

7. Muir Woods — Mill Valley

Celebrate Mother's Day in nature, and give mom a breath of fresh air. Seeing the redwood trees at Muir Woods is always a fun family outing, and the stroller-friendly trails are a nice bonus. There's a reason it's one of the best family-friendly hikes in San Francisco. 

8. Ribbit Exhibit — Sonoma

Jump over to the Sonoma Botanical Garden for Mother's Day. Not only will mom enjoy the beautiful gardens, but kids will love spotting the large-scale frog characters in their own scenes and stories. 

9. Strawberry Picking at Berry Island Farms — Gilroy

Savor the sweetness of freshly picked strawberries from the vines at Berry Island Farms. It'll be a fun, seasonal outing for the family on Mother's Day. 

10. Mother's Day 5K Fun Run — San Francisco

Families who love fun runs can check out the Shannon Rowbury 5K. After the race, enjoy family activities, including a music festival and food. 

11. Golden Gate Park — San Francisco

The options are limitless in Golden Gate Park for Mother's Day. Check out the botanical garden, sip tea at the Japanese Tea Garden, rent boats at Blue Heron Lake, spend the day at Cal Academy, and enjoy a Pops Mom's Concert. 

12. Lands End Trail — San Francisco   

There's a reason why Lands End is one of the best family-friendly hiking trails in San Francisco, and that might be due to the coastal views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take in the iconic San Francisco scenes and let mom lead the way. 

13. Wine Tasting — Napa & Sonoma

Go wine tasting while the kids play. Roam the castle at Castello di Amorosa in Napa while the kids check out the resident animals, or let the kids splash around in the swimming pool at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Sonoma. 

14. Mother's Day Rose Show — San Francisco

Smell the roses at the annual Rose Show in San Francisco, a prestigious event for garden lovers and families. Get that camera ready! 

15. Mother's Day at the Ferry Building — San Francisco

Mom deserves all the treats that she pleases at the Ferry Building. Casually stroll around and feast on food with gorgeous waterfront views. The Ferry Building will also have a Mother's Day activity table for kids to create gifts for mom. 

16. Cirque du Soleil: Kooza — San Jose 

Check out flying trapeze artists, aerial acts, dancing, and comedy in San Jose under the big top. 

17. Union Square Bloom — San Francisco 

Enjoy local food vendors and salsa dancing at the annual Mother's Day celebration in Union Square. 

18. Mill Valley Music Festival — Mill Valley

Hear some live tunes at the Mill Valley Music Festival during Mother's Day weekend. Headliners include Fleet Foxes and Greensky Bluegrass. Check out local vendors, eat delicious food, and have some fun. 

19. Mother's Day Brunch at Roaring Camp — Felton

Climb aboard for a train ride through the stunning redwoods, and then cap off the adventure with a Mother's Day brunch. 

20. Bikeabouts at the SF Zoo — San Francisco

Bike around the SF Zoo with an extra-special Bikeabouts on Mother’s Day, which includes a continental breakfast and discussion about what maternal care looks like throughout the animal kingdom. 

21. SFMOMA — San Francisco 

If mom appreciates contemporary art, she'll enjoy an outing to see the exhibits at SFMOMA. Mother's Day is also the Second Sunday for families with special kid-friendly activities. 

22. Safari West — Santa Rosa 

If you haven't been to Safari West, a Mother's Day glamping experience in the "Sonoma Serengeti" is bound to create some memories. Enjoy a special champagne brunch for the big day. 

23. The Exploratorium — San Francisco 

Celebrate Mother's Day at the Exploratorium with bilingual programming, paper flower making, cultural performances, and pay-what-you-wish admission. 

24. We Players Presents Adventures with Alice — San Francisco 

If mom is a fan of Alice in Wonderland, she'll enjoy the whimsical and interactive performance of Adventures with Alice in Golden Gate Park. 

RELATED: Visiting Golden Gate Park with Kids: Everything You Need To Know 

 
Make mom some homemade gifts at Gamble Garden. Photo by Sandra Lee

25. Gamble Garden — Palo Alto

The admission-free Palo Alto garden hosts its Second Saturday, the day before Mother's Day, where kids can arrange a flower bouquet and make a card for mom. 

26. Mother's Day Family Hike — Livermore 

Embark on a short, family-friendly hike that teaches about nature's moms and starts at the Del Valle Visitor Center. 

27. Cooking Class — Santa Rosa

Make sweet treats with the family at Sur la Table during a Mother's Day cooking class. 

28. HEAD WEST — Berkeley

Stroll through the many vendors showcasing art, jewelry, food, clothing, and more at this open-air market so mom can find herself something to take home. 

29. The Presidio — San Francisco

Pack a picnic and enjoy the beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge while the kiddos play at the Presidio Tunnel Tops. For Disney fans, the Walt Disney Family Museum is nearby with its Cats & Dogs exhibit.

30. Kayaking — Sausalito & Alameda

Rent a kayak from a spot like Sea Trek for a relaxing afternoon on the water in Sausalito or Alameda. 

31. Blankets & Blockbusters — San Francisco

Thrive City will be having activities for kids and massage chairs for moms, the day before Mother's Day. Bring a blanket to watch a daytime screening of The Parent Trap. 

32. Ocean Beach — San Francisco 

Is mom craving a relaxing time at the beach? Make it a family outing by snagging a fire pit at Ocean Beach and roasting s'mores with an ocean view. 

33. Lake Chabot — Castro Valley 

Enjoy a day of leisure on the serene waters of Lake Chabot with boat rentals, perfect for exploring the scenic beauty and tranquility of this picturesque reservoir.