Things to Do in Monterey County on Mother's Day

Treat Your Mom The Monterey Way

There are few places more naturally suited to spoiling Mom than the Monterey Peninsula. The morning fog rolls back to reveal a coastline she’ll want to photograph, the wine country is twenty minutes inland, and the food scene punches well above its weight for a region this size. Whether you’re planning a seaside brunch, a spa afternoon, or a slow drive through Carmel Valley, Monterey County gives you room to make Mother’s Day feel like an occasion rather than an obligation.

Below is our annually updated guide to the best Mother’s Day brunches, dinners, and experiences across Monterey, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach. Reservations fill quickly at every venue listed, so book early.

Where to Take Mom for Mother’s Day Brunch in Monterey

Portola Hotel & Spa

A Mother’s Day staple in downtown Monterey, the Portola Hotel & Spa serves its brunch in the elegant De Anza Ballroom with live piano accompaniment. Mom is greeted with a complimentary mimosa, and the buffet covers all the bases—seafood bar, carving station, omelet station, and a generous dessert spread. A reliable choice for families and a comfortable walk from Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Hours: 10am–2pm. Pricing: Adults $89.95, Seniors (65+) $74.95, Children (6–12) $29.95, Kids under 5 free. Excludes tax and 20% service charge. Reservations: 831-649-7892.

Monterey Marriott — Ferrante’s Bay View

For sweeping views of Monterey Bay, the Monterey Marriott’s top-floor Ferrante’s Bay View room is hard to beat. Chef Josh Silva-Arias and team plate up a farm-to-table brunch buffet with omelets and eggs to order, a seafood display, prime rib, glazed ham, mahi-mahi, caprese salad, strawberry shortcake, and assorted éclairs. Two hours of complimentary valet parking is included—a small but welcome touch in downtown Monterey.

Hours: 10am–2pm. Pricing: Adults $92, Seniors (65+) and Military $82, Children (5–12) $42, Kids 4 and under free. Excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations: 831-647-4002.

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Perched directly above the surf on Cannery Row, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa offers one of the most dramatic settings on the Peninsula. Chef Michael Rotondo’s buffet leans into seasonal favorites and coastal specialties, with festive cocktails, local wine, and beer available for purchase. Best suited to anyone who wants ocean views to be the centerpiece of the meal.

Hours: Reservations begin at 10am and conclude at 2pm; the buffet remains open for guests in the later seating. Pricing: Adults $130, Children (6–12) $49. Excludes tax and service.

Estéban Restaurant at Casa Munras

For Mediterranean flavors and a more relaxed pace, Estéban Restaurant at the historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel is a strong choice. Executive Chef Steven Patlan curates a Spanish-California brunch with dishes like eggs Benedict with jamón serrano, roasted beet salad with caramelized pear and Manchego, and 4-bone Moroccan-spiced lamb. The toast-worthy detail is the bottomless flavored mimosa bar (guava, strawberry, pineapple, peach, grapefruit, and classic orange) and a Build Your Own Bloody Mary station. The garden patio is especially nice for groups.

Hours: 9am–2pm. Pricing: à la carte. Reservations: 831-375-0176.

Cella Restaurant at Cooper-Molera Adobe

Tucked beside the historic Cooper-Molera Adobe in downtown Monterey, Cella offers a Mother’s Day brunch buffet with a built-in afterthought: a stroll through the property’s gardens and orchards once you’ve eaten your fill. Seating is paced at 90 minutes per party, so the room never feels rushed—a thoughtful touch for moms who want lingering conversation rather than a hustled meal.

Pricing: Guests 11 and older $89++; guests 10 and younger $48++. Beverages priced separately. Reservations: 831-920-1046 or via OpenTable.

Old Fisherman’s Wharf

If you’d rather keep things relaxed, the restaurants along Old Fisherman’s Wharf typically offer specially curated seafood menus and Mother’s Day “momtails” on the day. The waterfront walk alone is worth the trip—sea lions barking from the pilings, fishing boats coming and going, and a clear view across the bay.

Mother’s Day in Carmel Valley

Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Twenty minutes inland from Carmel-by-the-Sea, Bernardus Lodge hosts a grand Mother’s Day buffet at its signature restaurant, Lucia. Expect a spring-inspired spread of local organic vegetables, naturally raised meats, a seafood bar, classic cheeses, and elaborate desserts. A standout perk: complimentary family photography in the gardens, set against the property’s vineyard backdrop. For those turning the day into a longer escape, The Spa at Bernardus offers garden-inspired treatments including an apricot silk and lavender massage and a natural glow facial.

Hours: 9am–2pm. Reservations: through Bernardus Lodge directly.

Carmel Valley Ranch

Carmel Valley Ranch’s Mother’s Day brunch is a strong pick for families with kids. The buffet covers fresh oysters and shrimp, made-to-order omelets, prime rib carving stations, and decadent desserts, with live entertainment and kids’ activities to keep little ones occupied. The Ranch also runs a Bee-Beautiful Mother’s Day Workshop in parallel ($95 per participant), where Mom can craft honey- and rose-inspired skincare—a lip scrub and balm, a brightening mask, and a facial mist—a hands-on alternative to a sit-down meal.

Hours: 11am–3pm. Pricing: Adults $145++, Children (6–12) $40++, Kids 5 and under free. Workshop: 11am, $95 per participant.

Things to Do With Mom in Monterey County

If a leisurely brunch isn’t the right fit, Mother’s Day on the Peninsula has plenty of other ways to fill the day. Many of these pair beautifully with a meal—or stand on their own as the centerpiece.

Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley

Monterey County is home to some of California’s most underrated wineries, particularly along the Carmel Valley wine corridor. Tasting rooms range from polished and pour-list-driven to casual and family-run, and most are within a short drive of one another, making a self-guided tasting tour easy to plan. Carmel-by-the-Sea also hosts a cluster of in-town tasting rooms for travelers who’d rather walk than drive. Browse our recommended wine-tasting rooms.

Spa Day in Monterey or Carmel

If Mom would rather be pampered than fed, the Peninsula’s spas range from full resort experiences (Bernardus, Monterey Plaza, Casa Munras) to standalone day spas in Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel. Treatments span massages, facials, body wraps, and salon services, and many spas offer Mother’s Day packages or gift certificates if you’d like to give the experience as a gift. See our list of Monterey-area spas.

Whale Watching on Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is one of the richest marine ecosystems in North America, and a whale watching tour is one of the most memorable ways to experience it. Spring trips commonly spot humpback whales and gray whales, and on a lucky day, orcas. Most tours leave from Old Fisherman’s Wharf and run two to three hours—long enough to see something extraordinary, short enough to fit alongside lunch or a spa appointment.

Pacific Grove’s “Magic Pink Carpet”

For a memorable photo opportunity, head to the Pacific Grove coastline, where the cliffs erupt into bright magenta blooms of iceplant in spring. The result is the famed “Magic Pink Carpet,” a stretch of coastline that looks staged for a photographer. Free, open all day, and unforgettable.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium remains the Peninsula’s most beloved attraction, home to thousands of marine animals including sea otters, leopard sharks, and African penguins. It’s an easy add-on for families combining brunch with an afternoon activity, and a particularly good pick if Mom enjoys quieter, more contemplative outings—the kelp forest tank alone is worth the visit.

Plan Mom’s Perfect Monterey Mother’s Day

The best Mother’s Day plans on the Peninsula tend to combine one anchor experience—brunch, a spa appointment, or a tasting—with a low-key second activity like a coastal walk or a stop at the aquarium. Reservations at the venues above fill up well in advance, often weeks before Mother’s Day Sunday, so the earlier you book, the better your odds of getting your first choice.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Browse our recommended hotels, from boutique inns to oceanfront resorts. For more ideas, our things to see and do in Monterey guide is packed with options for the full weekend.