The Ultimate Mother's Day Guide | Celebrate Your Mom With One Of These San Diego Specials

April 27, 2016

Spring is in full bloom and that means it’s time to celebrate Mom. Show the most important lady in your life how much she means to you with a delicious Mother’s Day brunch, dinner, or a special treat on Sunday, May 8. Whatever culinary creation Mom wants on her special day, San Diego restaurants, hotels and businesses have all of the bases covered. Check out our round up of Mother's Day specials from all over San Diego County, and be sure to treat momma right every single day!

Back in 1912, Mother’s Day was officially trademarked. Think that apostrophe is in a funny place? It is purposeful. Anna Jarvis, trade marker for mommas all over the world, made sure that it was a singular possessive. She meant for each family to honor their mother, compared to “Mothers’ Day,” a plural possessive, which would honor all the mothers in the world. Mother’s Day was also the spelling used by President Woodrow Wilson when he wrote it into law and made it an official holiday in the United States. Now that you know the history behind the day honoring mothers, check out our suggestions for this year's Mother's Day.

Sirena Cocina is truly taking care of moms this Mother’s Day. They’ll be celebrating on the May 8, as well as on Mexican Mother’s Day on the 10th. On the 8th - moms who visit will be eating free! Everyone else will have the opportunity to take advantage of an exceptional three-course prix fixe menu for just $44. There are two choices for the starter and entrée courses, with Mexican orange flan and sautéed berries for dessert. The Lomo Saltado is a highlight from the menu - a main course of beef tenderloin with parsley, chile, soy sauce, red onions, and tomatoes served with french fried potatoes. Then, for Mexican Mother’s Day, Sirena will be giving a 20% discount to all guests as well as offering free dessert to the most important guests of the day.

Take your mom on a trip to Italy without leaving San Diego this Mother’s Day at Bencotto. Sip on a glass of Prosecco while enjoying calamari as you take in the sounds and sights of Little Italy. For dinner, choose from a variety of specials including Tagliatelle Al Nero Di Seppia, house made black squid-ink fettuccine with shrimp served in a spicy pink sauce. Keep the night extra sweet by indulging in Bencotto’s delectable chocolate and coconut Tiramisu. All menu items are al la carte and reservations are recommended.

PB Alehouse is helping celebrate Mother’s Day by hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch from 9am to 2pm, featuring Bottomless Mimosas for $15, and a special treat for kids 12 and under - free Silver Dollar Pancakes until the little ones can pancake no more. The ocean view from upstairs is a perfect backdrop for your Mother’s day photos, and the downstairs patio seating is the best in Pacific Beach for people watching. Couple that with great brunch plates like the Crab + Lobster Benedict or the Chorizo + Egg Burrito, and you’re sure to win over the mom in your life.

Say ‘Buona Festa Della Mamma’ this Mother’s Day with brunch specials that are sure to please mom at Monello. Mother’s Day in Milan means fresh and made-to-order seafood, which can be enjoyed in Monello’s Omelette con Aragosta e Asparagi Bianchi, a lobster and white asparagus omelet served with roasted potatoes. If mom is looking for something a little sweeter, she won’t want to miss the delicious twist on a classic brunch favorite - white chocolate pancakes served with mixed berries. Brunch is available from 10am - 3:30pm.

Give mom the gift of beautiful views and ocean breezes mixed with the mouth-watering tastes of Hawaii at Duke’s La Jolla this Mother’s Day. Sit on the patio and take in the boasting views of La Jolla Shores while dining on Duke’s brand new brunch menu featuring Kahuna Buttermilk Pancakes served with guava jam or Duke’s Loco Moco, a half-pound chuck, brisket & hanger grind with a fried egg and adobo gravy served with a side of steamed jasmine rice. Make Mother’s Day extra memorable while capturing it in Duke’s photo booth, available from 11am-1pm.

Head to Backyard Kitchen & Tap this Mother's Day and give your mom, or the mother of your kids (or both!) the best day of her year - with possibly the most uniquely modern, but laid-back atmosphere in Pacific Beach. There is indoor and outdoor seating for big parties or small, with booths or community tables and several fire pits for ambiance. And, exclusively for Mother’s Day, Backyard is giving mom a complimentary glass of champagne, and all kids under 12 will get a meal and drink on the house. Backyard has great American fare from flatbreads to steak or fish entrees, a vast selection of local craft beers – and is San Diego famous for its dog friendly attitude (so even the furry side of the family can make it to celebrate!).

Locally-owned artisan chocolate shop Sweet Petite Confections has created a “Through the Looking Glass” themed bonbon collections specifically for Mother’s Day. These 5- and 16-piece limited edition sets finished in bright colors and whimsical designs will be available during the week leading up to Sunday, May 8, with all flavors made in-house. In addition to special Mother’s Day bonbons, chocolatier Michelle Lomelin will lead an all ages, two-hour chocolate making class on Saturday, May 7 at 12:30pm., during which time guests can create approximately 1.5 pounds of chocolate bark and bonbons in flavors and designs of their choice - a perfect handmade gift for mom.

This Mother’s Day, The Westgate Hotel invites families to shower mom with love, Parisian style. The iconic boutique hotel is making this special family holiday truly extraordinary with elegant Mother & Daughter Teas and an exquisite award-winning Sunday Champagne Brunch. The Westgate Hotel’s afternoon tea, hosted in the Grand Lobby, is the perfect place to share time with mom. While relaxing to the melodious sounds of a harp, guests will indulge in an array of tea sandwiches and pastries as well as scones paired with traditional teas and a glass of champagne. Home-made macaroons will be offered as a giveaway to each mom to commemorate this special day. The teas will be served on May 6 and May 7, from 2:30-5pm. If the lady of the day desires an award-winning brunch, The Westgate will be offering a Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch on Sunday, May 8 in the hotel’s beautiful Fontainebleau and Versailles Salons.

Spoil mom with a $64.50 prix fixe 3-course brunch in one of the most beautiful dining destinations in Rancho Santa Fe - Mille Fleurs. Chef de Cuisine Martin Woesle has designed a fresh and festive menu with mom in mind, which includes one item from each of three courses. A variety of spring-inspired specialty cocktails for $15.50 round out the experience.

You can’t beat the view from this 12th floor dining room at Mister A’s, and sitting in the sunshine overlooking San Diego city is the perfect way to treat mom on her special day. Chef Stephane Voitzwinkler’s prix fixe Mother’s Day Brunch will be 3-courses at $64.50.

From 10am to 3pm on Mother’s Day, Hello Betty Fish House in Oceanside will be serving a ‘Celebrate Your Favorite Betty!’ brunch for moms to enjoy as they take in the restaurant’s sweeping coastal views. Chef Jared Hills will be featuring a special à la carte menu, complemented by Hello Betty’s signature Bloody Mary bar.

Le Parfait Paris sweet shop and café – with both a downtown location and a new location in the recently-opened Liberty Public Market – wants every mom to have the opportunity to indulge on her special day. They’ll be offering a $30 prix fixe brunch to satisfy mom’s sweet tooth and celebrate the occasion.

It’s all about keeping it floral this year with artisan oil, vinegar, sprits and liqueurs purveyor Vom Fass in Hillcrest. Starting at 11am, they’ll be toasting moms everywhere with their ‘Muffins and Mom-osas’ event, serving fresh muffins and $4 champagne cocktails accented with a choice of either elderflower or wild rose liquor. Moms get a complimentary rose to take home.

Bake Sale Bakery has all of the ingredients to treat moms to a sweet Mother’s Day celebration with a specialty BAKE! class. Led by proprietor Terryl Gavre and her two children, the “Mom and Me” baking class will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 12 to 3 p.m. The class, priced at $95 per mother and child pair, will welcome bakers of all levels to learn recipes, instructions and professional tips in a fun, lively environment. At “Mom and Me,” students will learn all of the steps to make apple pie à la mode, including the techniques for pie crust, apple filling and homemade vanilla ice cream. While the pies are baking and the ice cream is chilling, participants will enjoy Bake Sale’s popular lunch selections - an assortment of sandwiches on Bake Sale’s famous house-baked bread, roasted tomato soup, chips and drinks. After lunch, bakers will get to taste-test the fresh ice cream atop house-made apple pies. The class includes all ingredients and take-away recipes, as well as the goodies made in class to-go.

Fill your mom with love, and a decadent brunch feast, in celebration of Mother’s Day at Bleu Bohème, complete with mimosa and bloody mary options from 10am to 2:30pm on Sunday, May 8. Owner and executive chef Ken Irvine has put together a decadent feast to honor the occasion, featuring bisque de homard, a Maine lobster bisque with crème frâiche crouton and cognac; tarte chaude au Reblochon, a flaky pastry tart with caramelized Spanish onions, bacon, roasted apple and Reblochon Savoie cheese with salad greens; eggs benedict, made with either crab cakes or Canadian bacon; savory belgique prosciutto waffle; mousse au chocolat: a rich dark homemade Callebaut chocolate mousse with seasonal red berries. Specialty peach, orange, lavender, pomegranate or mango mimosas, as well as bloody marys made with imported French vodka, will be priced at $8 each.

Bobboi Natural Gelato in La Jolla will combine two Mother’s Day staples - mimosas and dessert - with the new mom-inspired mimosa gelato available exclusively on Sunday, May 8. The fresh and flavorful gelato, made with fresh, organic oranges, is a dairy-free sorbet.

Raise a glass and celebrate moms with specialty ‘momosas’ this Mother’s Day at BANKERS HILL BAR + Restaurant, as well as brunch menus for children and adults. Mothers may enjoy specialty ‘momosas,’ a spin on the classic champagne and orange juice cocktail, priced at $8 per glass. All mothers and grandmothers will also be treated to a special takeaway gift - a complimentary tin filled with heirloom tomato seeds and a recipe for homemade heirloom tomato jam.

As Del Mar’s premier, open-air shopping center, Flower Hill Promenade features a range of specialty boutiques carrying high-end Mother’s Day gifts from San Diego locals with that can’t be found anywhere else. Pick up travel accessories and fashion-forward jewelry for the fashionista mom at Fairen Del, grab a high-quality wine and cheese plate from Bella Castilla for the mom who is always redecorating, spoil her with a 14k gold “#1 Mom” locket charm from Bon Jewels, or book mother / daughter day at Spa Blue at Del Mar to pamper her with a customized massage.

Every mom deserves the gift of wellness! This Mother’s Day, the Hotel del Coronado is offering moms the chance to rebalance with seaside spin and spa. Families can join mom for an early morning Beach Spin class followed by a youthful spa treatment in the serene, ocean-facing spa. The Beach Spin at The Del is 50-minute beachfront spin class is led by San Diego’s top instructors and the ultimate way to soak up the morning sun - each guests even receives a pair of Beats by Dre headphones to use during the class. Guests can also indulge in the 50 minute Youthful Rejuvenation Facial anti-aging treatment that delivers youthful results using specialty products that have been formulated to include advanced peptide technology and cell reactivation for lifting, tightening and toning the skin

Celebrate this Mother's Day with magnificent food, a spectacular food and great company at the Manchester Grand Hyatt! Mother's Day Champagne Brunch will be served at Seaview Breakfast Buffet Restaurant on Sunday, May 8 from 10am to 2:30pm. Guests are offered an incredible selection of spring cuisine made with the finest and freshest ingredients. Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy an array of Brunch Buffet dishes featuring a customized omelet bar, belgian waffles, seasonal fruit, salads and sides, an iced seafood display, carving stations and delectable desserts.

Spend Mother's Day surrounded by family with unforgettable dining experiences offered by San Diego's picturesque North County resort, Rancho Bernardo Inn  Guests and locals can choose from three exclusive brunch specials offered at the property's signature restaurants. Join for a special 3-course Mother's Day menu at AVANT, an outdoor brunch buffet overlooking the golf course at Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant, or take part in a family friend brunch buffet on the Aragon Lawn, compete with a petting zoo and pony rides. Choose to elevate each experience with the option of build-your-own Bloody Marys or bottomless mimosas for an extra charge.

Experience Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa's Mother’s Day brunch tradition at its signature restaurant Veladora. Taking place on Sunday, May 8 from 10am 2:30pm, guests and locals are invited to indulge in a spread of field-to-fork brunch delights such as freshly crafted pastries and Rancho Valencia's signature King Crab Benedict paired with local vegetables straight from the garden. After brunch, take to the Croquet Lawn to enjoy happy happenings and activities for the whole family with live music by the Steph Johnson Jazz Trio from 10:30am - 4:30pm.

Special for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 8, THE Lot La Jolla invites locals to celebrate with an incredible brunch buffet and decadent dessert station at La Jolla’s newest luxury cinema, restaurant, bar and café. THE LOT's Mother's Day brunch will include a cold and hot buffet, including traditional breakfast specialities, and house-made pastries and desserts from in-house Pastry Chef Alejandra Pitashny. While kids take part in arts and crafts, adults can enjoy a variety of craft cocktails, mimosas, an extensive wine list and more, in addition to THE LOT's locally, sourced and roasted coffees.

Pamper the woman who brought you into this world this Mother's Day at The Patio on Goldfinch. During brunch every mother will enjoy a variety of locally sourced, sustainable, chef-inspired cuisine and receive a decadent complimentary dessert along with an elegant Mother’s Day Card offering 20% off on various Patio Group brands including Luv Surf, The Surf Life, Luxury Farms & Swell Coffee Co. Brunch at The Patio on Goldfinch offers diners a variety of choices including fresh muffins and cinnamon rolls, greek yogurt & granola parfait, sous vide lobster or lamb belly Benedict, shrimp & grits, chilaquiles, tostada adobada, vegetarian skillet, breakfast flatbread, New York steak & eggs, grand mariner french toast and bourbon dutch pancakes.

This Mother's Day celebrate by relaxing on a cozy, charming and vibrant patio just a few blocks away from the beach at The Patio on Lamont. Enjoy The Patio on Lamont brunch offerings including as fresh house-made muffins and cinnamon rolls, greek yogurt & granola parfait, smoked pork belly burrito, chilaquiles, short rib hash, vegetarian and ranchero skillets, breakfast flatbread, smoked pork belly Benedict, steak & eggs, corn flake crusted french toast and bourbon pancakes. During your visit to The Patio on Lamont this Mother's Day every mother will receive a decadent complimentary dessert along with an elegant Mother’s Day Card offering 20% off on various Patio Group brands including Luv Surf, The Surf Life, Luxury Farms & Swell Coffee Co.

This Mother's Day, guests and locals alike are welcomed to the iconic THE US GRANT Hotel in the heart of San Diego, to treat mom and celebrate. On Saturday, May 7 through Sunday, May 8, show mothers the true appreciation they deserve with a variety of opportunities that will guarantee an unforgettable day. Skip breakfast in bed this year, and provide mom with an expansive brunch experience on Sunday May 8, from 11am - 2pm. THE US GRANT Mother's Day champagne brunch buffet features bottomless mimosas, breakfast specialties, an omelet bar, fresh salads, seasonal side dishes, carved prime meats, Pacific seafood delicacies, and a collection of sweet treats accompanied by live jazz entertainment for a smooth morning.  Complete the morning with a gift to mom from THE US GRANT's pop-up floral market, located in the lobby for guests to create their own beautiful bouquets with fresh seasonal blooms to present to mom at brunch. THE US GRANT Traditional Mother's Day Tea takes place on Saturday, May 7 from 1pm - 3pm. Spend the afternoon sipping on traditional hot and cold brew loose leaf tea, while savoring delectable petite tea sandwiches, housemade pastries, desserts and champagne and delighting in live music.

Located on the sparkling waters of San Diego’s Mission Bay, Paradise Point Resort & Spa's signature restaurant, Tidal  offers guests and locals the quintessential seaside Mother's Day dining experience. Where land meets sea, and craft and catch converge, Tidal provides a coastal-inspired menu including both sweet and savory culinary creations. Select from the special three course Mother's Day brunch menu for $49 for adults including coffee and juice and $24 for children.

True Food Kitchen is the perfect place to take the entire family this Mother’s Day, offering healthy dining options for everyone from the hardcore yogi to the burger aficionado. In honor of Mother’s Day, True Food Kitchen will offer a special cocktail called the Sparkling Honey-Do, which tastes like a sip of spring with fresh honeydew, strawberry, mint and more. Additionally, every mom who dines on Mother’s Day will receive a gift that complements the cocktail - a customized package of mint seeds, complete with a cocktail recipe, so mom can recreate the cocktail with ingredients from her home garden. The mint seed package also includes quick tips on the many health benefits of mint, so mom can feel good while indulging on her special day.

For the beachy mom, there’s may be no better place to celebrate in the sun than FIREHOUSE American Eatery + Lounge  The open-air rooftop patio overlooks the sand and the waves, and the brunch menu is sure to be a “mom-pleaser." Local favorites including the Devil’s Dozen benny - an eggs Benedict served on a glazed donut; avocado toast; or the baked egg-white scramble are sure to make mom feel the love. As a special treat, Devil’s Dozen will also be offering a pop-up donut bar, and the first 30 moms to arrive will receive a FIREHOUSE gift bag filled with goodies from local artisans. Just steps from the ocean, walk off breakfast (and the bubbly) with a stroll along the beach to cap off a perfect Sunday with mom.

For the foodie moms, enjoy a real treat this Mother’s Day and indulge in Chef Brian Redzikowski’s Mother’s Day brunch at Kettner Exchange in downtown San Diego! Enjoy twists on brunch classics like the smoked salmon eggs Benedict or the French omelette featuring mushroom, confit potatoes, a radicchio and arugula salad and Tender Belly bacon. Although the brunch dishes are Instagram-worthy themselves, Kettner Exchange will be offering a special Mother’s Day photo booth in a rooftop cabana the week leading up to the holiday, and day-of. Post a social media shoutout expressing love for mom, and moms can win a gift card for a free drink on the next visit!

Located in the famed coastal community of La Jolla, Herringbone is celebrating all Moms with a special three-course pre-fixe brunch menu ($40/person) on Sunday, May 8, from 10am to 2pm. Moms and families can enjoy signature favorites including the popular Lobster Roll, Bread Pudding French Toast, Chilaquiles and Eggs, Soft Shell Crab Benedict, healthy fruit and nut granola parfait and more. For dessert, those with a sweet tooth can treat themselves with a choice from the Dark Chocolate Cremeux, Charred Pineapple and White Mole Profiterole and the Roasted Banana and Strawberry Lychee Sorbet. Kids can also enjoy a special $12 Kid’s Menu featuring French Toast served with seasonal jam and warm maple syrup, The #1 with bacon, eggs, toast and potatoes or the fruit, yogurt and granola.

Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, Searsucker San Diego offers creative spins on New American classic dishes. On Sunday, May 8 from 10AM - 3PM, families can enjoy a special $30 brunch pre-fixe menu created specially for every Mom to enjoy. Offering a variety of specialty brunch cocktails, Moms can also enjoy signature items including the Green Eggs & Ham, Chilaquiles & Eggs, Crab Benny, Shrimp & Grits, Mushroom Scramble and more. A special $12 Kid’s Menu is also available which includes juice, milk or soda.

Del Mar’s favorite neighborhood dining destination, Searsucker Del Mar welcomes all Moms and families to enjoy their three-course special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 8 from 10AM - 2PM. Featuring specialities with the season’s freshest ingredients, the Mother’s Day brunch Menu will feature the choice between the Grilled Shrimp Toast, Short Rib Hash, Artichoke Scramble Buttermilk Pancakes, SS Ham Benny made with a house-made English muffin, avocado and hollandaise sauce and more. A special Kid’s menu for $12 is also available. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (858) 369-5700. The full Searsucker Del Mar Mother’s Day $30 brunch menu can be found here.

A feast for the eyes as well as the palette, spoil Mom with a brunch at CUCINA enoteca Del Mar, where Executive Chef Joe Magnanelli dishes out specialty fare from his acclaimed Italian-inspired California coastal kitchen. Set amongst bohemian decor and a lush garden patio, Mom’s can enjoy the antipasti bar and a glass of champagne, while CUCINA enoteca gifts all moms a complimentary bag of special confections to show their appreciation.

On Saturday May 7, the Headquarters at Seaport will collaborate with local fashionista and book author Suzette Valle of Mamarazzi Knows Best to be the official “Shopping Concierge” for Mother’s Day gifting. Last-minute shoppers (and clueless husbands) can stop by for shopping advice and top Mom-approved gifting selections from local shops within the Headquarters including Urban Beach House, Seaside Paper and Madison San Diego to make picking a gift painless. The services will be available in the courtyard area from noon to 2pm. In addition, Urban Shindigs will have a pop-up floral shop and “Bloom Bar” in the Headquarters’ courtyard on Mother’s Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with gorgeous floral arrangements for Mom. Also, in addition to brunch specials at Eddie Vs and Seasons 52, Dallmann’s Chocolate will offer a Chocolate 101 tasting on Mother’s Day at 6:30pm. Now only $12.50 per person (originally $25), this class will teach guests about different types of chocolate and how Dallmann’s makes their chocolate.

What says “I love you, Mom” better than decadent brunch, sunny ocean views, personalized sweets and flowers? Be good to your mother! Without her, you wouldn't even be here.