This Sunday is the big day: Mother's Day. Breeze past the pressure and take your mom somewhere you know she'll love. Grab a bouquet of flowers and use some of these ideas.
1. Red & White Fleet's Mother's Day Cruise
Sometimes viewing our beautiful city from the ocean is exactly what you need to rekindle exactly what brought you here in the first place. Take your mom on the Red & White Fleet's Sunday cruise, where they'll roll out the red carpet for her for their dramatic two-hour journey under Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz, past the Marin Headlands and Angel Island. There will be snacks and complimentary beverages for your day on the sea. Departs at 2 pm from Pier 43 1/2, tickets start at $36. 415-673-2900.
2. SenSpa's Mother's Day Specials
There's no way your mother would be mad if you booked her one of the glorious treatments offered by SenSpa for Mother's Day. She can choose to be calmed and pampered with a scalp treatment and her choice of the Mother Earth Balancing Energy Massage, an aromatherapy massage infused with flowers, herbs and essential oils that will relieve her stress, anxiety, fatigue, and tension (finished with a foot treatment), or the special anti-aging facial, which uses Chinese herbs, antioxidants, mineral and vitamin complexes, an enzyme peel and the healing benefits of LED light therapy. 415-441-1777.
3. Harry Denton's Starlight Room
For a slice of the classic side of San Francisco, take Mom to Harry Denton's Starlight Room for a decadent brunch buffet and a very special edition of his legendary Sunday's A Drag show high above the city. The 45-minute variety show features the city's creme de la creme of drag queens, who rile up the crowd with stand-up comedy, impersonations, and epic lip-synching performances. Of course, there's a full bar, which might give you the courage to ask one of the drag queens to dedicate a song to your dear old mom for that special touch. RSVP at 415-395-8595 or reservations@harrydenton.com.
4. Aldea Mother's Day Benefit for Planned Parenthood
New mothers will want to head to Aldea Niños' and Aldea Home's weekend-long party. At both stores, they'll be lavished with exclusive trunk shows for Peas & Queues and DwellStudio kid and baby clothes and decor, kids' story time and a dance party, a champagne brunch, cocktails, treats, guest speakers, and more. Part of the proceeds generated from their Mother's Day weekend goes to benfit Planned Parenthood, which has been in peril since its federal funding was cut. Aldea Niños, 1017 Valencia St., Aldea Home, 3338 17th St., RSVP at info@aldeahome.com or 415-874-9520
5. Mother's Day Brunch Cooking Class at the Ferry Building
If your mom loves to cook–and all the best moms do!–sign her up for this cooking class held by Parties That Cook at the gorgeous Ferry Building. It's getting down to the wire, but if you act fast, you can get your hands dirty with mom whipping up a tasty brunch and learning new culinary techniques. Just a peep at what's on the menu: petite ham and gruyere croque monsieur sandwiches, cinnamon sugar beignets, zucchini pancakes with sour cream and smoked salmon, and much more. Two glasses of sparkling wine are included. Grab tickets here....sales end May 7. If you have questions, email info@PartiesThatCook.com or call 415-441-3595.
6. Mother's Day Hike in Sonoma
If your mom is the outdoorsy type, strap some hiking boots on her and work it out this Mother's Day. Beginning at Tolay Lake Regional Park, this winding 4.5 hour hike (bring lunch!) explores the Sonoma back country and is led by retired Sonoma County Park Ranger and Sierra Club leader Bill Arenander and Sonoma Land Trust member Bob Neale. The hike starts at 9 am and goes until 2 pm, and isn't for inexperienced hikers.
7. Mother's Day Get Away to Healdsburg Modern Cottages
Take your mom away from all the stresses of city life to the family-owned Healdsburg Modern Cottages, an elegantly-designed luxury spot decorated with sculpture gardens, lush landscaping and a private pool. They provide bicycles for you to get around town with, a full concierge service, access to wine tastings, farm tours, running trails and more. Rooms start at $275, call 866-964-0100 or make a reservation online by clicking here.