The Mother of All Holidays: Mother’s Day in San Francisco
There is a lot of fun stuff happening in San Francisco this May, like the How Weird Festival, Bay to Breakers, and meteor showers.
But not to be forgotten is the highest-stakes event of them all: Mother’s Day.
Yes, it’s Mother’s Day season. If this slipped from your memory because you were too busy burying your nose in a margarita carafe, it’s ok: this round-up of Mother’s Day events in San Francisco is the beacon to guide you through your best-planned Mother’s Day ever.
Whether you want to treat your mother-figure to a dinner cruise, boozy brunch, or paper flowers, this curation of Mother’s Day events has what you’re looking for.
Et voila, the 49 Miles guide to Mother’s Day events in San Francisco, from free to bougie:
Related: San Francisco Entertainment Guide: May 2017
Enjoy cocktails, a chair massage, a tarot reading, yummy bites, raffle prizes, and other delights throughout the evening. Stay past 9PM for some karaoke. Tickets start at $25 and escalate depending on what you want to contribute, as the proceeds from this event benefit the Natural Resources program, which supports mothers, families, and the health of the parenting community.
Mother’s Day Night Out | Slate Bar, 2935 16th Street, San Francisco, CA | May 11th: 6PM-9PM | $25+
Learn how to make paper flowers and Mother’s Day cards just in time for the holiday.
Mother’s Day Arts & Crafts Demo | Blick Arts Materials, 979 Market Street, San Francisco, CA | May 13th: 11AM-1PM & 3PM-5PM | Free
The San Francisco Wine Festival is a public event where goers may taste and experience the wine culture of Northern California. Admission is free, but tickets for unlimited tastings and a souvenir glass are $50 beforehand and $60 cash at the door. This popular event draws thousands of visitors every year. There is also a beer sampling garden if grapes aren’t your style.
The 12th Annual Uncorked Wine Festival | Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point Street, San Francisco, CA | May 13th: 12PM-5PM | Free
Bring your mother to Treasure Island and indulge her with luxe goodies, small batch bath and body products, succulents, artisan jewelry, and candles while enjoying handcrafted libations and El Porteño Empanadas with the backdrop of the island’s inimitable views. Attend one of the workshops and learn how to make a bath bomb, bath salts, earrings, and a succulent arrangement. Picnic, bring your pup (on a leash), and hit the local wineries and breweries as well.
Sip & Shop: Mother’s Day Weekend Pop-Up Boutique Bazaar | Treasure Island, Woods Island Club, 422 Clipper Way, San Francisco, CA | May 13th-14th: 12PM-6PM | Free
Related: 7 Best Fully-Fenced Dog Parks in SF
The San Francisco Zoo invites you and all mothers to come celebrate Mother’s Day by visiting the animals that have recently mothered infants, like the flamingos, giraffes, wallaroos, and more. Admission for moms is free! There will also be a special Mother’s Day bikeabout, which is a 90 minute docent-led bike tour of the zoo–just bring the mom in your life and a bike.
Free SF Zoo Admission for Moms on Mother’s Day | San Francisco Zoo, 1 Zoo Road, San Francisco, CA | May 14th: 10AM-5PM | Free for Moms
More free stuff! The Exploratorium will celebrate Mother’s Day by offering free admission to all visitors. There will be a mariachi band at 1PM and a paper flower making shindig at 2PM.
Free Admission to the Exploratorium for Mother’s Day | Exploratorium, Pier 15, San Francisco, CA | May 14th: 10AM-5PM | Free
Related: 11 Inspiring Art Exhibits in SF Right Now
The San Francisco Rose Society keeps their longstanding tradition by hosting their 76th annual Mother’s Day Rose Show at Golden Gate Park’s Hall of Flowers with a rose showcase in the exhibition hall.
76th Annual Mother’s Day Rose Show | County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, 1199 Ninth Avenue, San Francisco, CA | May 14th: 12:30PM-4PM | Free
Celebrate your mom at the Westin St. Francis in Union Square. There will be a special gourmet brunch buffet in The Oak Room Restaurant, with an array of delectable selections, including roasted prime rib, honey glazed ham, smoked salmon, and much more.
Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet | The Westin St. Francis, The Oak Room, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco | May 14th: 10AM-2PM | $69 for adults, $35 for children
Dazzle your mom with a sunset dinner cruise hosted by Top Shelf Classics. On board will be three separate decks for cocktails, dining, and live entertainment.
Mother’s Day Sunset Dinner Cruise | San Francisco Spirit, Pier 3, on the Embarcadero at Washington Street, San Francisco, CA | May 14th: 4PM-7PM | $65-$100
If you want to do brunch and also want to cruise (and, um, day drink), this is for you. Show your mother some appreciation by taking her on a relaxing 2 hour cruise on the San Francisco Belle. There will be free-flowing champagne, a brunch buffet, live entertainment, and a world-class scenic backdrop.
Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch Cruise | Hornblower Cruises & Events, Pier 3, San Francisco, CA | May 14th: 12PM-2PM | $123
Learn how to create a flower arrangement with and for your mom, while also being served a prix fixe brunch and bottomless mimosas.
Blooms & Brunch | Serenity Designs, 801 Cortland Ave, Apt A, San Francisco, CA | May 13th: 10AM-1PM | $125
Because “Mother’s Day” seems synonymous with “drunk at brunch.” If you’re having a hard time choosing between the varied bubbly brunches, this one features dim sum. And mimosas.
Mother’s Day Bottomless Mimosa Brunch | Hilton Financial District, 750 Restaurant & Bar, 750 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA | May 14th: 10AM-3PM | $55 for adults, $21 for children
Celebrate Mother’s Day with fine tea and authentic Burmese gastronomy, courtesy of a collaboration between Fabula Tea and Laphet. There is a Saturday lunch at 12PM-2PM, and a Sunday dinner at 6PM-8PM.
Burmese Food & Fine Tea | Laphet, 448 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA | May 13th: 12PM-2PM; May 14th: 6PM-8PM | $55-$80
Even more free stuff. There are 19 different free guided walking tours around the City in commemoration of Mother’s Day. Select the one that inspires you most, or do all of them. Tour themes range from Alfred Hitchcock to the Gold Rush.
19 Free Guided Walking Tours for Mother’s Day | All over San Francisco | May 14th: 9AM-3PM, check site for schedule | Free
Head across the Bay for the 17th Annual Spring Festival in Downtown Alameda, a popular Mother’s Day weekend tradition with something for everyone. There will be tons of vendors and shops, arts & crafts, and other opportunities to buy mom a gift. You may also indulge in the food and libations and treat your mom to a mimosa while enjoying live music.
17th Annual Spring Festival on Mother’s Day Weekend | Downtown Alameda’s Historic Park District, Park Street and Lincoln Avenue, Alameda, CA | May 13th-14th: 10AM-6PM | Free
Invite your mom to a stunning sail across the Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge. This remarkable cruise with the San Francisco Sailing Company includes mimosas to add more sparkle to an already scintillating sail. An exclusive courtesy for our cherished 49 Miles readers, we’re offering a 20% off promo code to the Sunday sail: : 49MILES2017.
Golden Gate Bridge Champagne and Mimosa Sail | Pier 39, San Francisco, CA | Sundays: 10AM-12PM | $60 for adults, $30 for children
Related: Sail Forward into Spring with the SF Sailing Company
