They say the greatest love is a mother’s love, so each year, on the second Sunday in May, we carve out a special day to acknowledge and appreciate all the wonderful moms in our lives. Easy-going and fun-loving, Santa Barbara offers a stress-free escape, perfect for those hard-working moms who’ve earned a relaxing getaway or need to push the reset button with a bit of sunshine and beach time.
Whether you’re looking to vacation or staycation, we hope you’ll treat Mom to a carefree getaway in Santa Barbara.
MOTHER’S DAY MENUS
Mother’s Day Pre-order at Helena Avenue Bakery, Now through May 11
Treat your mom to something sweet this Mother’s Day! Pre-order one (or multiple) of Helena Avenue Bakery’s pies, cinnamom rolls, pastries and quiches. Orders must be placed by 2:30 p.m. on May 11.
Cost: Varies per menu item
Mother’s Day Brunch at Angel Oak, May 14 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara for a truly special Mother’s Day Brunch featuring Bacara’s famous breakfast and lunch specialties at Angel Oak, along with face painting, flower bouquet making, treats and additional surprises for the whole family to enjoy.
Cost: $125/adult, $55/child
Mother’s Day Brunch at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, May 14 from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Celebrate your mom in a loving way this May with an ocean view brunch at the Set Restaurant & Patio at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The executive chef has crafted a delectable à la carte menu with a fresh spring twist. Toast to the special ladies in your life with a glass or a flight of Daou’s exquisite wines or delight a refreshing specialty cocktail. And, enjoy live music by David Segal with the breathtaking views of the Pacific as your backdrop.
Cost: Varies by menu item
Mother’s Day Brunch at The Lark, May 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Head to The Lark for a memorable Mother’s Day Brunch. Executive Chef Jason Paluska will be serving up seasonal and locally sourced fare including a special brunch dish, beet-cured king salmon tartine with whipped tarragon crème fraîche, Ojai pixie tangerine, pickled fennel, and grilled brioche.
Cost: Varies by menu item
Mother’s Day Brunch at The Stonehouse, May 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Artfully prepared by Executive Chef Matt Johnson and his Michelin-starred team, The Stonehouse’s four-course Mother’s Day brunch will be complemented by San Ysidro Ranch’s revered five-star service and lavish ambiance. Toast to Mom with a glass of Champagne, mimosa, Ty Bellini or fresh juice while enjoying a basket of house-made baked goods this Mother’s Day.
Cost: $195/person
Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at Costa Kitchen & Bar, May 14 from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Give your mother an elegant oceanfront experience with delectable dining and live local music at a Mother’s Day Champagne brunch at Costa Kitchen & Bar located in Mar Monte Hotel. Allow Mar Monte Hotel to spoil mom with a buffet fit for a queen while being serenaded by a local musician, Kyle Swan. Oceanfront seating with a tableside Champagne flight, mimosa, bellini and poinsettia are included with the price of the buffet.
Cost: $109/adult, $39/adult (children under four years old are free)
Mother’s Day Brunch at Caruso’s, May 14 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Treat mom to a luxurious Mother’s Day brunch along the Pacific coastline at Caruso’s at Rosewood Miramar Beach and indulge the extravagant prix fixe dining experience crafted for the occasion by Executive Chef Massimo Falsini and Chef De Cuisine Shibani Mone.
Cost: $195/adult, $85/child
Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch Buffet at Roof Top Bistro & Bar, May 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta for a Mother’s Day Champagne brunch buffet at its beautiful outdoor Roof Top Bistro & Bar and enjoy a delicious brunch menu by chef de cuisine Martin Valdez. Menu items include Mediterranean orzo salad, tri-tip steak, Atlantic salmon, eggs benedict, spring vegetables, lemon tarts, white chocolate raspberry cheesecake and much more.
Cost:$65/adult, $25/child under 10 years old
Mother’s Day Buffet at The Revere Room, May 14 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Celebrate mom with a festive brunch buffet at The Revere Room at Rosewood Miramar Beach and enjoy brunch classics such as eggs benedict, waffles, omelets and so much more.
Cost: $145/adult, $55/child
Complimentary Mother’s Day Frosé, May 14 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Lucky Penny is offering a complimentary frosé with every purchase for all the hardworking moms out there this Mother’s Day. Stop by for a mouthwatering wood-fired pizza and a cool frosé with Mom.
Cost: Varies by menu item
Mother’s Day Brunch at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, May 14 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
This Mother’s Day, treat mom to a decadent brunch at El Encanto. Dive into the chilled raw bar and caviar before making your way through the selection of starters, egg station, breakfast pastries, mains, carving station and sweets, before ending your meal with a Champagne toast to mom.
Cost: $165/person
Mother’s Day Brunch at Finch & Fork, May 14
Celebrate mom with a three-course prix fixe brunch at Finch & Fork, located at Kimpton Canary Hotel. Menu item options include lobster and asparagus quiche, crab avocado toast, petite beef filet, brioche French toast, Valrhona chocolate torte and a tasting of Central Coast Creamery cheeses.
Cost: $76/person
Mother’s Day Dinner at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, May 14 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Perched in the leafy hills of Santa Barbara with breathtaking ocean views, El Encanto is for those special Mother’s Day moments. Take your seats around the table to make new memories, celebrate old ones and treat your mom with an indulgent, plant-based prix fixe menu. Wine pairings are available for an additional $75 per guest.
Cost: $155/person
Mother’s Day Dinner at Opal Restaurant and Bar, May 14 from 5-10 p.m.
Treat your mom to a special three-course prix fixe menu at Opal Restaurant and Bar. Choose from a selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts sure to keep your belly (and mom!) happy. There will be two evening seatings, the first starting between 4:30-6 p.m., and the second starting between 6:45-8 p.m. Opal’s regular menu will also be available on Mother’s Day.
Cost: $69/person
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Mother’s Day Weekend at Artiste Winery & Tasting Studio, May 12-14
This is a special celebration of love and gratitude for all the amazing mothers. Enjoy the French-inspired flower market with beautiful local blooms of Los Olivos’ Artiste Winery & Tasting Studio, where you can pair delectable wines with macarons—the perfect way to treat mom. And, help her make her own bouquet-to-go to add a little extra touch of loveliness to the day, complimentary to all moms.
Cost: $25/person
Kokedama with Your Mama at Lotusland, May 13 from 3-6 p.m.
Treat your mom to an afternoon at Lotusland with a picnic in the iconic Theatre Garden and learn the Japanese art of Kokedama. Kokedama is an artful technique of displaying a plant specimen in a ball of soil wrapped in moss secured with twine. Supplies will be provided and Lotusland staff will teach you this fascinating process.
Cost: $75/adult, $25/child
Mother’s Day Island Adventure, May 14 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
For the adventure seeking mom in your life, treat mom to an extraordinary experience this Mother’s Day with a once-in-a-lifetime sea cave kayaking adventure with Santa Barbara Adventure Company. Create new and unforgettable memories together during this tour. Spot dolphins and whales on the ferry ride over and cherish a day of kayaking through sea caves, hiking to stunning vistas, and wildlife viewing on this must-do island adventure at Channel Islands National Park.
Cost: $186/adult + ferry transportation ($63), $174/child + ferry transportation ($50)
Mother’s Day Painting in the Vineyard, May 14 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join Art Spot on Wheels at the picturesque Foxen Vineyard & Winery in Santa Maria. All you need is to grab a glass of wine and a paintbrush. You’ll spend the afternoon sipping delicious wine and capturing the beauty of the landscape on canvas. This is not just another paint and sip class—this is a full-sensory experience. Art Spot on Wheels’ painting-in-the-vineyard classes provide a beautiful, stress-free environment that will both inspire your creative spirit and indulge the wine-lover in you.
Cost: $85/person
Mother’s Day Santa Barbara Wine Country Tour, May 14 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Raise a glass and cheers to mom! This Mother’s Day, let Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours handle all the details while you and your mom delight in the stunning scenery and exceptional flavors of the Santa Ynez Valley. Spend some quality time with your mom as you enjoy wine tastings at three local wineries, lunch in the Santa Ynez Valley, door-to-door shuttle service and a knowledgeable guide for the day.
Cost: $215/person
Mother’s Day Macramé Wine Tote Workshop, May 14 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tied + True Goods is coming to Zaca Mesa Winery to host a guided macramé class for you and the moms and mother figures in your life. This two-hour workshop will be a fun and relaxed session where you’ll learn the techniques of making your own macramé wine tote—which can hold any standard-sized bottle of wine—and is a fantastic outing to take mom in celebration of Mother’s Day.
Cost: $55/person
Nourish the Senses: An Immersive Mother’s Day Candle-Making Workshop at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, May 14 from 2:30-4 p.m.
In partnership with Lait Candles, a luxurious and eco-conscious brand, founder Jennifer Rhee will guide you on an olfactory journey on scent literacy (fragrance families, top, middle and base notes) and demonstrate the art of candle pouring, inspired by the scents around El Encanto and hosted right in the chef’s garden. Guests will select scents from a curated library of essential oils and handcraft a personalized candle worthy of being gifted to Mom.
Cost: $50/person
Mother’s Day Sunset Kayak Tour, May 14 from 6-8 p.m.
Surprise mom this Mother’s Day with a picturesque Santa Barbara ocean sunset, the tranquility of the water and cherished moments spent together. During this sunset kayak tour with Santa Barbara Adventure Company, you and your mom will enjoy two hours on the water exploring the Santa Barbara Harbor and coastline as the sun sets. This tour is great for all kayaking skill levels and is the perfect way to show your mom how much you appreciate her.
Cost: $55/person
Mother’s Day Food Tour, May 14 (various times)
No mom wants to worry about what to eat during the weekend. Treat mom to the luxury of a food tour where she can eat, drink and not have to handle the clean up with a walking food tour with Eat This, Shoot That! Attendees will get to explore the sights, smells and tastes of the Funk Zone on this insider tour of some of Santa Barbara’s most revered establishments.
Cost: $135/person
GIFT INSPO
Santa Barbara Gift Baskets
Treat mom to a taste of Santa Barbara’s finest with the help of Santa Barbara Gift Baskets. From snacks and gourmet treats to local libations, there’s nothing better than savoring the samples of Santa Barbara’s cuisine scene. Wrapped with style and love, Santa Barbara Gift Baskets is your one-stop shop for creating memorable gifts that mom is sure to love.
Cost: Varies by order. Baskets range from $60-$150
Santa Barbara Company
The Santa Barbara Company has curated an extra special Mother’s Day collection to peruse for the holiday. Pick the perfect set of gifts for mom that can also double as keepsakes. Think local wines, snacks, artwork, gorgeous handmade cards and much more.
Cost: Varies by order.
For more Santa Barbara-inspired gift ideas perfect for mom, read this Santa Barbara gift guide.