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Monterey Bay Parent » Mother's Day

Monterey and Santa Cruz Brunch Recommendations

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Whether you’re looking for an awesome brunch spot for Mother’s Day or to make a regular weekend extra special, here are options from all Capitola, Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Santa Cruz, and Seaside. Plus, we have the details on a few special Mother’s Day brunches.

CAPITOLA 

Busy Bee Cafe has fun options like the Bossy Bee, Stinger Bee, or Happy Hipbee (featuring garam masala tofu and cashew coconut curry hollandaise sauce). 

CARMEL

Stationaery offers all-day brunch everyday, from a local yogurt bowl to a Maine lobster roll. From Scratch has Guy Fieri-approved all-day breakfast on a first-come, first-served basis. Order a Point Lobos Benedict with a view of the coast at Pacific’s Edge. 

MONTEREY 

Enjoy omelets and other locally sourced foods, cocktails, and artsy lattes at Wild Plum Cafe; sign in to be added to their waitlist. Esteban Restaurant offers indoor or patio brunch with options like Wagyu bavette and eggs or an omelet with crab. Ashley Sargent, creator of The Monterey Bucket List on Instagram visited California Seltzer Company and loved the mimosa flight. Savor your breakfast favorites on Wave Street Cafe’s patio, then finish with a family stroll along the Monterey Rec Trail.

PACIFIC GROVE 

Soak in the adorable ambience of the historic former Winston’s Hotel at Winston’s—A Brunch Place. The Grill at Point Pinos has been voted the best huevos rancheros for the sixth year in a row by the Monterey County Weekly, plus it’s a certified green restaurant.

SALINAS

The 31st Grill shares organic, local foods, such as Salinas Valley breakfast bowls, and aims to make you feel at home. Chilaquiles divorciados or linguica and eggs are among the offerings at Ariana’s Restaurant. 

The Village Restaurant has a great view and offers Chef Alfredo’s combination of Italian, Mexican, and American flavors, plus plenty of parking. 201 Main features staples and has special themes each Sunday, such as Mexican dishes with a mariachi band at 12 pm (second and fourth Sunday), Taste of the Sea (first Sunday), and Race Around the World (third Sunday). 

SANTA CRUZ

Foodie Shannon Conner (AdventuresinSweets on Instagram) enjoys Walnut Avenue Cafe downtown for all the classics. Conner also recommends Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe’s seasonal specials and delicious baked goods in a cozy atmosphere (get there early if you can). Order breakfast sandwiches and choose between seven different kinds of matcha drinks at Mad Yolks.

SEASIDE

Savor delicious crepes (made with vegan batter) and try various coffees of the world not seen on other menus at The Creperie Cafe. The Butter House is always serving up their breakfast favorites “with Filipino/Pacific Islander flair.”

MORE SUGGESTIONS

Try grabbing brunch a different day of the week; for example choosing from the many varieties of French toast and other upscale Mexican food at El Bistro by the Sea in Carmel.

Cruise down to Big Sur to enjoy some riverside time at Big Sur River Inn. You can even eat while sitting in Adirondack chairs in the river. 

Book a custom high tea through Rosemary and Thyme High Teas or join the monthly second Saturday Beth’s Afternoon Tea at the Steinbeck House. Scones and finger sandwiches always hit the spot. 

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH SPECIALS

Celebrate your mom on May 11 with the tried-and-true classic of a delicious brunch! 

The Portola Hotel (10 am–2 pm, in Monterey) will be featuring an elegant buffet in the De Anza Ballroom with live piano music by Dave Conley. Mission Ranch (10 am–2 pm, in Carmel) will be accepting limited indoor reservations by phone and walk-ins for their patio, serving chef’s table and hot and cold station options. Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa’s brunch (10 am–2 pm, in Monterey) also offers seafood and dessert beyond the classics, plus a photo backdrop and a cardmaking station. The Bayview Grille at Bayonet Blackhorse (10 am–3 pm, in Seaside) will be working hard to impress mom. Roaring Camp Railroads (9 am–4 pm, in Felton) will serve brunch with live music by Rory Lynch at Bret Harte Hall followed by a train ride, then a variety of special activities, such as a craft table, Hallcrest Vineyards, and tintype family portraits by the Midnight Oil Collective. Grab reservations for Chaminade Resort & Spa’s brunch buffet (9 am–4 pm, in Santa Cruz) with views of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay.

The Superheroes of Motherhood

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It is time to order those flowers, make brunch reservations, and have kids make cards for the mothers on Mother’s Day. As a dad, my job is to ensure that my daughter responds to her mother with appreciation and that I take the time to thank my wife for all she does in the care of our daughter and our family as a whole. Day to day, it is easy to take mothers for granted. Mothers do so many little and big things for kids (and often rescue dads from having to do them).

Mothers’ relationships with their kids begin when they are in utero. As mothers feel the movement inside their bellies, they start forming notions of who that child is and how to respond to that child. A mother might think “You’re a little kicker” or “You don’t like spicy food”—all which add to the budding relationship. Even adoptive mothers, research shows, have physiological and psychological changes post-adoption. All of this means that the relationship between mother and child is indeed special, like a superpower. Mothers instinctively know how to care for their children. Yes, there are rare cases of mothers who do a poor job, but almost universally, mothers are in tune with the needs and care of their children. Even as a pretty involved dad, sometimes all I can do is watch and learn.  

My wife is the one who seeks out the best lotion or shampoo for my daughter among the vast array of products of which I know nothing about. My wife is able to convince my daughter of smart, fashionable choices of clothing or type of sneaker when my fashion sense input is non-persuasive and dismissed. My wife provides a sympathetic ear to my daughter when she rehashes her friendship drama of which I “just don’t understand.” My wife ensures that my daughter has a new shirt for Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day or Pi Day or other special dress-up days at school. She patiently sits alongside my daughter doing homework to provide “help” when she really just wants companionship. She helps my daughter plan and pack the right clothes when we travel. Her powers and expertise as a mother are recognized by my daughter, and I am not sure that I could or would want to insert myself into these situations. 

Becoming a mother is transformational. Certainly, daily schedules change, priorities shift, and expectations of the future evolve to include family life. Even the most prepared woman or experienced mom cannot really know, in advance, how they will build their relationship with a specific kid—yet, they figure it out and do it well. As a dad, I watch from the sideline in awe at how well and smoothly, for the most part, this happens. 

I used to think those mothers who call themselves Momma Bears or Tiger Moms or something similar were just posturing of the lengths they would go to protect their families. Then, I have seen the veracity with which moms advocate for their children who are ill, who need support for learning differences, who deserve protection from bullying, or who require the appropriate attention from an authority figure. Although these may be common situations that muster maternal intervention, these moms are also the ones to ensure that lunches get packed, playdates scheduled, and homework remembered. Ultimately, when it comes to families, mothers are the superheroes both in a crisis and everyday in getting things done.

Setting aside a specific day to recognize mothers is necessary. Mothers do so much in raising the next generation and filling them with hope, empowerment, and love and everything else that one day becomes a small token. Dads, it is time to pay attention to what would honor the mom in your life—a special meal out, a housecleaning, a gift, or whatever demonstrates true gratitude. Whatever you choose, the gesture should be accompanied with honesty by saying “thank you” directly to that person.  

So, to my wife, mother of my child, thank you for everything you do everyday to raise our child to be the best person she can be and for being our daily family superhero.

The Best Mother’s Day Gift May Be Doing Your Fair Share

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Mother’s Day is a time for dads to spring into action. Dads, make sure your kids (and you) appropriately recognize all their mother does for them and the family. With day-to-day activities, it is easy to forget how much of what goes on in a family centers on mothers making it happen. Mother’s Day is the day to show appreciation because mothers sacrifice a lot year-round for their families’ well-being.

Here is some research-based information about mothers that will (hopefully!) inspire dads to make some changes at home:

•    Mothers get less sleep than fathers. A recent study of over 3000 individuals found that there was a 50% reduction in women getting the recommended amount of sleep for each kid in the house. The amount of sleep men got was unaffected by children in the home. This finding doesn’t necessarily mean that mothers are actively doing something with their kids at night, but it does point to how much mental load mothers take on for their families affects their sleep.

•    Mothers are far more likely to stay home to care for their kids when they are sick. A Kaiser Family Foundation study shows that only 19% of fathers indicated that they are the primary caregivers when kids are sick, compared to 56% of mothers. Even though the percentage of fathers caring for sick children has risen in recent years, it is not equal.

•    Motherhood impacts a woman’s earning power and career choices. According to a Pew Research Center study, more working moms report that being a working parent made it harder to advance in their careers compared to working dads. And mothers earn 74 cents for every dollar a father earns—mothers of color fare worse. In California, over a lifetime, it means a full-time, year-round, working mother would have to work until age 66 to earn what a father earns by age 60, according to the National Women’s Law Center. Given the toll that caring for children can have on career aspirations, it is essential to recognize the financial value that mothers’ caregiving has on the family.

•    Mothers do far more of the household chores. In an extensive study of American households, 49 percent of mothers, compared to 21 percent of fathers, did household chores such as cleaning or laundry daily, according to the American Time Use Survey. Many working mothers come home to a “second shift,” where they do tasks like cooking, cleaning, disciplining, etc., after a long day at (under) paid work. Similarly, among families with children under age 6, working mothers spend 1.2 hours providing physical care for children, like bathing or feeding, and, by contrast, fathers spend 31 minutes providing physical care.

Another study of 3,000 mothers tells us what mothers really want for Mother’s Day: 58% want free time to focus on themselves (and not attend to anyone else) and 10% confessed they would like to use the bathroom uninterrupted. In other words, what moms want is the gift of time.

Given what these studies have found, it is clear that in many homes, mothers are still bearing the largest portion of child and home care. As fathers, it is easy to forget to acknowledge those contributions.

Dads, here is the chance for you to recognize all that the mother of your children does, thank her, and pledge to do more for your family.

On a personal note to my wife, Paige: Thank you for keeping us well-fed with your delicious food. Thank you for realigning your career to fit better with family life. Thank you for being our daughter’s personal Uber most of the time. Thank you for all the things you do that go unnoticed. Thank you for being the mom that makes me a dad.

Robert (Rob) S. Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D., CFLE, is a Professor of Human Development at California State University, Monterey Bay, and a Certified Family Life Educator. He and his wife are parents to a chatty, elementary school-aged daughter and reside in Marina.

Extra Special Mother’s Day Gifts

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If you’re looking for an extra special way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, here are five experience gifts that your favorite mom will love!

1. Have a picnic on the beach. Pack a basket with mom’s favorite foods and spend the afternoon enjoying nature together. You can pack your own, of course, or plan ahead by visiting The Cheese Shop in Carmel a few days ahead of time to order a curated basket of cheeses, meats, and other goodies that you can pick up right before your picnic. Pack your picnic basket and a blanket, and  head to Carmel Beach for a relaxing afternoon with the entire family.

If you want bonus points, tell mom to sleep in and have her meet you at your picnic destination at an appointed time. Meanwhile, pick up your order and set up a beautiful picnic for your favorite mom. Lay out the blanket and chairs, add a vase of flowers, and be all ready for mom to stroll in after her late morning in bed for her special surprise.

2. Set up a home spa day for mom. Gather a variety of facial masks (they’ll be happy to help you at the Sephora store in Del Monte Center). Then splurge by booking an in-home massage for mom. On Mother’s Day, give mom a basket filled with the masks, a few clean towels, and a split of champagne and tell her that her massage therapist will be arriving soon. Grab the kids and head out the door for the afternoon leaving mom to a quiet house in which to enjoy her massage and pampering beauty treatments.

3. Surprise trip. If you want to go big this year, make all of the plans for a special weekend getaway ahead of time. Tell Mom that you have a special surprise celebration planned but no details. Give her a few hints on what she’ll need to pack but that’s it.

You can stay local by booking a stay at beautiful Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley or pick a new destination where you’ve never been. There are so many gorgeous places to visit within an  hour or two of the Monterey area, that choosing the destination might the hardest part of your planning.

Make sure you’ve covered all of the details by making reservations and scouting out special activities.

4. A Gift a Month. Does Mom love fresh flowers? Or, does she savor a few hours enjoying a latte and choosing a new book at a local bookstore like BookWorks in Pacific Grove? For Mother’s Day, give mom the gift of a special treat every month. Pick a day (the third Saturday of each month, for instance) for your repeated treat. Put it on the calendar and be sure to bring those flowers home as promised!

5. Take a Class Together. Can you think of a fun activity that your favorite mother and you can learn together? It could be cooking, wine appreciation, or perhaps painting? Make all of the arrangements for a class you can enjoy together and put the date on your calendars. Progress Not Perfection Paint Parties in Monterey offers fun paint parties that allow both of you time together while exploring your creative side.

  • BookWorks: 667 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, (831) 372-2242

  • The Cheese Shop: Ocean and Junipero Street, Carmel, (831) 625-2272

  • Quail Lodge: 8205 Valley Greens drive, Carmel Valley, quaillodge.com

  • Progress Not Perfection Paint Parties: 269 Bonifacio Pl, Monterey pnppaintparty.com

Books to give Mom or Grandma for Mother’s Day

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Tell Me Your Life Story, Mom: A Mother’s Guided Journal and Memory Keepsake Book by Questions About Me

This simple guided journal helps mothers record their life story with over 200 questions. The thought-provoking questions and prompts are organized into chapters based on your mother’s life stages to help her record memories, experiences, treasured moments and reflections. Once completed, this gift will become a precious treasure and personal keepsake of your mother’s most important recollections, stories and life lessons that can be passed down to your children and cherished by future generations.

The Gift of a Happy Mother: Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing Everyday Joy by Rebecca Eanes

A supportive guide that gives busy moms permission to care for themselves, from a popular parenting blogger with one million Facebook followers. In this relatable guide, Rebecca walks listeners through the process of getting back to happy, for your own sake as well as your family’s. Going beyond the usual advice about finding balance, embracing gratitude, and not sweating the small stuff, her hard-won advice is written by a busy mom in the trenches.

How to Be the Perfect Grandma: Live. Love. Spoil. by Bryna Paston

Being a grandma is as close as you may ever get to perfection. In this charming and funny gift book, learn the rules and secure your spot as one of the most important parts of your grandchildren’s lives.

Badass Affirmations: The Wit and Wisdom of Wild Women by Becca Anderson

In Badass Affirmations, Becca Anderson reminds you that you are pretty darn great. Inside this motivational quotes and affirmations book, you’ll be fired up by inspirational quotes for women, by women. Alongside these women empowerment quotes, you’ll gain new knowledge of the badass ladies who have left their mark on the world with a mix of short bios and longer profiles.

Mother Daughter Journal by Brit A Anderson

This entertaining prompted journal is the right tool to build your mother-daughter relationship. Your daughter can record her memories, swap stories about life, compare their views on growing up with you, and explore common or unique interests with you. Playful lists, letters back and forth, and interactive stories invite both mom and daughter to think, write, and doodle about topics for their past and future, build up self-confidence and improve their penmanship and writing.

Eight Ways to Celebrate Mom

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It’s time to celebrate those strong, loving, multi-tasking, women who gave you life.  The women who make your world go ‘round.  Even if you make it a point to celebrate your mom all year long, setting aside some special moments to honor her in a thoughtful way this Mother’s Day can feel super sweet and caring. (Take it from this mama, planned appreciation from your family just plain feels good.)

Here are eight unique (and local) ways that you might consider celebrating and honoring your mom this year:

1. GET ACTIVE. Your mom might appreciate celebrating this day by engaging in an active adventure together as a family. It could be fun to go indoor rock climbing at Sanctuary Rock Gym in Seaside (www.rockgym.com). Is biking more of your family’s thing? Then Adventures by the Sea in Monterey could supply that waterside ride and some great photo opportunities (adventuresbythesea.com). You might even take in the Elkhorn Slough with some kayak rentals from Monterey Bay Kayaks (www.montereybaykayaks.com). No matter the physical activity you choose, it’s always great to get out there as a family and to make new memories while moving.

2. SUPPORT HER SELF-CARE. Would your mom benefit from a day of rest and rejuvenation? Then give her the gift of Refuge in Carmel (www.refuge.com). Their Thermal Cycle is sure to melt away the stress of her day-to-day. If there are some additional knots that require attention, you might also send her up the street for a deep tissue massage from Tatiana (www.tatianamassagetherapy.com). If relaxation of the mind is what she is seeking, consider booking her a yoga class with Union Yoga in one of their spots around the Peninsula, or you might even organize a private session for the whole family at home (unionyoga-monterey.com). Remember, a calm mother is a happy mother.

3. ARRANGE FOR SOMETHING FANCY. There’s something extra special about an afternoon tea. Mom might love to be the guest of honor at a tea party organized on her behalf.  With a little effort, the family could make this event quite beautiful, with the caffeine boost as a bonus.  Go the extra mile, and pick her up a one-of-a-kind vintage teacup and saucer from a local antique store such as Pickings Antiques in Pacific Grove (pickingsantiques.com). Next, grab some loose tea from a specialty shop like Cha-ya Japanese Tea & Things in Monterey (www.chaya4tea.com/shop).  Throw in some baked goodies on the side like cupcakes or macarons from Blue Aces in Salinas (www.blueacesonline.com). Finally, add some color to the table with a little bouquet of arranged flowers from Fiona Floral in Pacific Grove (www.fionnafloral.com).  This festive adventure begins with tea.

4. GROW SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. Is your mother a lover of mother nature? You might consider celebrating her green thumb by planning and seeding a special garden project together. It’s always fun to find some inspiration and to pick out some colorful supplies at the Pot Shop in Moss Landing (potstopml.com). Now you can get crafting on that tabletop succulent planter with supplies from Lucas Succulents in Salinas (lucas-succulents.business.site). Or what about breaking ground on a family garden bed or plot in the yard together?  After locating a sunny spot, shop for some plants and supplies at Hana Gardens in Del Rey Oaks (hanagardens.com) and get your hands dirty in the name of bonding and beauty.

5. PLAN A PICNIC BRUNCH. Brunch is always a good idea. Pack a cozy picnic blanket, grab some delicious brunch takeout from a place like Estéban in Monterey (www.hotelcasamunras.com/dining), and get to one of our beautiful beaches for some relaxing time together as a family. Don’t forget a custom playlist curated just for mom. Add in a bottle of Sparkling Brut from Folktale Winery in Carmel Valley for some yummy mimosas (www.folktalewinery.com), and you’ve got the perfect spring morning out planned for mom. Bonus points if she gets to nap in the sun a bit afterward.

6. COMMEMORATE YOUR FAMILY. This is the weekend to celebrate the loving family that mama made. Has your mom been desperately trying to get the whole family together for those updated family photos? Surprise her by booking a special family photo session at a local park with a professional photographer like Albert Hoffman (hoffman-photo.com) or Ben Kaatz in Monterey (www.benkaatzphotography.com.  While you wait for your new professional prints to arrive, you could start a family scrapbook together. Plan ahead with art supplies from Imagine Art Supplies in Pacific Grove (www.facebook.com/imagineartsupplies), and be sure to leave some blank pages at the end for your new shots. If food is a core part of your family’s story, it could also be special to cook a family recipe together. Start by reminiscing about the special dish and writing out a list of ingredients, and then hit a Sunday farmer’s market like the one in Marina (www.everyonesharvest.org/marina-certified-farmers-market) for the fresh ingredients to prepare. She will feel the love.

7. SATISFY HER SWEET TOOTH. Consider showering your mama with something sweet to make her day that much sweeter.  How about a sundae bar on this special Sunday?  It starts with a good base like ice cream from Revival in Monterey (revivalicecream.com).  Throw in some special toppings like fresh strawberries, homemade whipped cream, and a few colorful sprinkles.  Now you’ve got a party dedicated to mama that’s both delicious and fun. A stop by Cottage of Sweets in Carmel-by-the Sea to pick up a sampling of fudge flavors could also be a delightful treat for mom (www.cottageofsweets.com).  Arranging for a little indulgence on her special day goes a long way.

8. TAKE CARE OF HER TO-DO LIST. What can you take off of your mom’s plate while she is out doing something nice from this list all by herself? That’s the goal here.  She will certainly thank you for crossing items off the never-ending list of house chores: empty the dishwasher, fold the laundry, and sweep and mop the floors.  Or how about planning the family menu for the week and then hitting the grocery store? This is the type of gift that keeps on giving, as it gets the family’s week off to an organized start while also providing hard-working moms with a well-deserved helping hand. A win-win for everyone.

While it can be nice to try to surprise mom (Ha. Surprise mom?) with something fun, it can also be nice to just ask her what she wants to do on this day. Perhaps present her with this list of ideas (in advance, please) and ask her to choose which idea (or ideas) sound celebratory fun, or most relaxing to her. A ‘Choose Your Own Mother’s Day Adventure’ of sorts.

Whatever you decide to do for mama this year, be sure to couple that with affirmations and appreciation for who she is and all that she does.  Your mama is amazing, and she’s so worth it. And remember – your love and special acknowledgment truly do help keep us going all year long.

Megan Sulsberger, Ph.D. is mom to a willful and energetic six-year old boy and an Associate Professor in the Department of Education and Leadership at California State University Monterey Bay.

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