Show Mom Some Love With Gourmet Brunches, Cooking Classes, Tea Time and More!
What can’t she do?!? Moms somehow do it all (and we’ll never know how), but don’t you dare let her plan Mother’s Day this year. May 12 is right around the corner and we’ve cross-checked the calendars for the best activities and events to enjoy with your mama. From seaside cruises to shopping sprees and brunch buffets, we’ve outlined all the adorable outings in Orange County for families and mother-daughter duos. Save this list and you may just earn the favorite child award! Plus you’ll likely enjoy these things to do in Orange County with your mom just as much as she does. Celebrate Mother’s Day in Orange County
Brunch Is Always a Good Idea
Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet and 3-Course Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel (May 12)
A mimosa-filled Mother’s Day brunch is a tried and true Sunday celebration. This year, level up the festivities with the ocean-front luxury of The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Let’s be real, Mom’s home cooking can’t be beaten, so don’t even try stepping foot in the kitchen. Leave it to The Ritz-Carlton to whip out waffles and caviar spreads at their Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet in the beautiful Pacific Promenade Ballroom, which boasts sparkling views of the Pacific. If mom likes options, she’ll love the expansive menu of omelets, waffles, fresh seafood, artisanal meats and cheeses, fresh salads, and more. Face painting and balloon art will even be offered to entertain the kids so Mom doesn’t have to!
Looking for a more formal brunch experience? The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s coastal-inspired restaurant, RAYA, will also dish out an elevated 3-course Latin flavor fest—aka, the perfect follow-up to a spa day! The Mother’s Day 3-Course Brunch will feature deliciously crafted Latin fare and live entertainment from an upbeat Latin trio. Reservations are required.
Location: Laguna Niguel
Celebrate Mother’s Day in Orange County
We Don’t Just Spill the Tea, We Also Sip It!
Spring ParTea at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel (March 25-May 16)
Nothing says Mother’s Day quite like high tea. RAYA is reinventing this timeless tradition with herbal-infused cocktails and rib-eye finger sandwiches. Tea time will never be the same again! Sip into the sun-filled season with garden elixirs of peach cream liquor and loose-leaf infusions. For every coupe for Mom, there’s a cup for the kids, and ladies will love their personal teapots and the tiered tea spread. The kid’s tea time comes customized with PB&J squares and cloud-like strawberry marshmallows. This Spring ParTea will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, starting now through May 16. Reservations are required. Pinkies up!
Location: Laguna Niguel
Mother’s Day OC
Seaside Shopping Spree
Shopping Day at Lido Marina Village
Treat Mom to seaside sophistication with a shopping spree at Lido Marina Village. Nestled along the yacht-lined docks of Newport Beach, this quaint center is sure to delight with its charming boutiques and trend-setting shops. Start the day with cappuccinos from Herst Coffee Roasters, then customize a travel bag at Stoney Clover Lane with playful, bold letters. Clare V is always fun to peruse if Mom’s on the hunt for a new handbag, and Le Labo’s signature line of fragrances will lure you in. Round out the day with a Le Bowl for lunch at Zinqué and a dockside selfie with Mom to capture your Orange County Mother’s Day excursion!
Location: Newport Beach
Celebrate Mother’s Day in Orange County
Dance and Dine with Spanish Flair
Flamenco Show & Champagne Brunch at Cafe Sevilla (May 12)
Flamen-go to Cafe Sevilla for Mother’s Day in Orange County! We love this restaurant for its vibrant nightlife and soulful shows, which become all the more meaningful when celebrating with Mom. Watch in awe, and maybe even tap your feet to the beat, as class-act dancers twirl through a two-part performance while you wine and dine (Mom will be welcomed with a complimentary flute of bubbles). Prepare your palate with classic dishes like avocado toast, and then dive into the flavors of Spain with a plate of paella. Round out this three-course sensory delight with dulce empanadas for dessert. The show starts promptly at 12:30 p.m. on May 12!
Location: Costa Mesa
Mother’s Day OC
Every Head Chef Needs a Sous
Take a Cooking Class at Hipcooks
A little sugar, spice and everything nice is a recipe for a picture-perfect Mother’s Day activity. Hands-on cooking classes at Hipcooks allow you to spend quality time with Mom, and the aftermath is bound to be downright delicious. Rather than gifting just a meal, gift an experience the family can do together. Calendar classes span all cuisines, from “Pasta in Casa” to “Margarita Madness.” Hey, this culinary adventure may even earn you the title of favorite sous chef! And what’s better than cooking up a storm with the woman who taught you everything you know?
Location: Santa Ana
Celebrate Mother’s Day in Orange County
Stop and Smell the Flowers
Build Her a Custom Bouquet at Hadley and Ren
Almost any girl loves flowers, and that’s just a fact! Surprise mom with a set of blooms hand-picked by you! Luckily, with Hadley and Ren, there’s no foraging involved. And, the flowers last a lifetime! Hadley’s secret? Dried florals. Create your own vase of boho pampas grass, white roses or preserved orchids at maker’s workshops, or choose from curated arrangements that look like they were handpicked in nature. Hadley and Ren is located in the SOCO & The OC Mix, so you can also pick up some home goods for Mom along the way. But PS—this shop is so cute that Mom might want to tag along.
Location: Costa Mesa
Sip and Sail
MOMosa Whale Watching Cruise with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
Whales are one of the most motherly animal species out there, always keeping their calves by their side. Set off to see the beauty of these majestic mammals off the coast of Dana Point. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching is hosting a Mother’s Day cruise that is bound to make Mom feel special. All aboard the Ocean Adventures Catamaran and sail alongside Laguna Beach’s stunning shores. While you wait for a whale to breach, sip on MOMosas and nosh on freshly baked muffins. Breakfast never had a better view! The boat takes off at 10 a.m. on Mother’s Day.
Location: Dana Point
Mother’s Day OC
Love You a Latte
Morning Coffee and Sweet Treats at Eller Bakery
It seems like outings with any Mom tend to go better when everyone is well caffeinated. Get your daily dose of joe at Eller Bakery! This new hidden gem in Costa Mesa offers sit-down dining options for a happy medium between coffee runs and a bank-breaking brunch. Everything is made in-house, and Eller is known for its onsite flour mill and coffee roaster, making them stand out in Orange County’s saturated coffee shop scene. The cinnamon roll is always a must and is decadent enough to split with mom so you can both satisfy your sweet tooth.
Location: Costa Mesa
Celebrate Mother’s Day in Orange County
Support Mother Makers
Visit The Makers Hive Market at the Anaheim Packing District
Celebrating Mother’s Day in Orange County doesn’t have to be solely about your own mom. Many mothers around Orange County run small businesses, and it’s important to lift up every mom in the community this time of year. Get your mom a gift while supporting someone else’s mom at The Makers Hive Market on Mother’s Day weekend. It’s a win-win! This market will take over the Anaheim Packing District with permanent jewelry bars, handmade ceramics and local artwork. It’s the perfect place to shop around before grabbing lunch from one of the Anaheim Packing District’s many restaurants. The Crepe Coop is dangerously delicious, by the way. Mother’s Day OC
Location: Anaheim
Erik Hale is the visionary and publisher behind LOCALE Magazine. He launched the magazine in 2010, wanting to give the community of OC a premiere lifestyle magazine that knew all the native knowledge behind OC. “Six years ago Ashley and I sat at a table scratching the name LOCALE (among some other names) onto a sheet of paper,” says Erik, “coming up with story ideas and basically dreaming. Everything we imagined has happened and we have been blessed with so much more. I am so grateful as we start another year for my family, my two wonderful children, my health, our amazing writers, designers and photographers, our advertising partners and you.”
