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 Brunch at Costa Kitchen & Bar, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At Mar Monte Hotel, Mother’s Day brunch unfolds oceanfront at Costa Kitchen & Bar with a menu curated by Executive Chef Sean Conway. The spread features dishes like steak, oysters and eggs Benedict alongside favorites such as cinnamon French toast and lemon ricotta pancakes, with cocktails and mocktails available. Reservations are recommended for a relaxed afternoon by the coast.
Cost: $85 per person
Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at Brass Bear Uptown, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
At Brass Bear Uptown, the Mother’s Day brunch buffet keeps things classic with a ham carving station, lox with bagels, crepes, French toast and house-baked scones. Settle in with endless coffee or hot cocoa, and add mimosas if you’re in the mood to toast.
Cost: $50 per adult, $20 per child
Bloom & Brunch at Finch & Fork, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At Finch & Fork, Bloom & Brunch offers a spring-driven buffet rooted in farmers market flavors and locally sourced ingredients. The spread includes seasonal salads, tea sandwiches, a seafood raw bar, brunch favorites and desserts, all set in a relaxed yet elevated atmosphere for Mother’s Day.
Cost: $95 per adult, $47 per child (ages 12 and under)
Mother’s Day Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, May 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Treat Mom to an indulgent coastal brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. From made-to-order omelets and Dungeness crab Benedict with caviar to oysters, sushi, paella and carved prime rib, the spread is as expansive as it is refined, with a Ritz Kids Corner and house-made desserts to finish.
Cost: $165 per adult, $65 per child
Mother’s Day Brunch at The Set, May 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celebrate Mother’s Day oceanfront at The Set, where East Beach views and live entertainment set a relaxed, scenic tone. Enjoy elevated, seasonal brunch dishes with a California coastal twist, and toast Mom with a signature MOMosa flight featuring bright, refreshing flavors.
Cost: Varies by menu item
Mother’s Day at Rosewood Miramar Beach, May 10
Celebrate Mom with a coastal dining experience at Rosewood Miramar Beach, where a lineup of festive options spans from an elevated four-course brunch at Caruso’s to a spring-inspired omakase at Ama Sushi and a relaxed, family-friendly brunch buffet at The Revere Room.
Cost: Varies by experience
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Ceramic Candle Vessel Workshop with Megan West, May 8 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Candle Bar 111 hosts a hands-on Mother’s Day weekend workshop where guests craft a custom ceramic vessel designed to hold a candle. Led by local ceramist Megan West, the 1.5-hour session includes shaping your piece, selecting a glaze and choosing a signature fragrance that will be poured once fired. Complimentary sips and a small-group setting round out the relaxed, creative experience.
Cost: $125 per person
Mother’s Day Weekend Painting at Rock 12 Distillery Orchard, May 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a creative twist at Rock 12 Distillery Orchard, where Art Spot on Wheels hosts a guided paint-and-sip experience in a relaxed, scenic setting. Led step-by-step by a professional artist, the class is designed for all skill levels and includes all painting supplies, along with a Rock 12 tasting featuring three whisper pours of your choice of spirit followed by a seasonal cocktail.
Cost: $89 per person
Mother’s Day Candle-Making Workshops at Candle Bar 111, May 10 starting at 10 a.m.
In the Funk Zone, this hands-on candle pouring workshop at Candle Bar 111 offers a creative way to spend Mother’s Day. Guests craft a custom candle from start to finish, selecting their vessel and fragrance with guidance from the team in a relaxed setting. Sessions run throughout the day, with a complimentary “Mom”osa (21+) plus coffee and light bites included.
Cost: $75 per person
Mother’s Day Painting in the Vineyard at Sunstone Winery, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Spend Mother’s Day surrounded by vineyard views at Sunstone Winery, where Art Spot on Wheels leads an easygoing painting class designed for all levels. With guidance from a professional instructor, guests can create their own landscape while enjoying a tasting of Sunstone wines, with all materials included.
Cost: $89 per person
Mom’s Night at Samsara, Every Wednesday from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Midweek at Samsara Wine Co. sets the tone for a relaxed Mom’s Night, with select glasses available for $12 every Wednesday. Stop in solo or meet a friend for an easygoing evening.
Cost: $12 per glass
GIFT INSPO
Harris Gaviota Farm
Pick a bouquet for Mom straight from the source at Harris Gaviota Farm, where oceanfront fields are filled with seasonal blooms ready to be gathered and arranged into something personal. Or turn it into an experience you share, wandering the fields together and creating a bouquet side by side along the Gaviota Coast.
Cost: $30 per person
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 $65-$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 or pop into one of these boutiques for a gift card.