Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 8. Looking for a unique way to celebrate mom? This year, think more wildflower than bouquet, more Mother Nature than brunch. Here are some outdoor outings perfect for the California mom in your life: [caption id="attachment_2109" align="aligncenter" width="3872"]
View from Rancho del Oso by David Baron[/caption]
Wander the Coast
Bring mom on a 1 mile, 1.5 hour guided walk with docent naturalist Ann Garside at Rancho del Oso (the coastal portion of Big Basin in Davenport). The group will walk from coastal scrub through one of the last native stands of Monterey Pine left in the world, enjoying the blooms along the way. More info
Empire Mine State Historic Park by Pat Sullivan
Enjoy a Spring Picnic
Pack up a picnic and head to the Empire Gardens at Empire Mine State Historic Park from 11am to 4pm Sunday. You can visit with the costumes characters in many of the buildings, enjoy music and children's activities. Food vendors will be available from 11 am to 2pm or you can bring in a picnic lunch to enjoy inside the Park. (Picnics are allowed inside the Historic Grounds & Gardens only 4 days a year!) More info
A hiker in Big Basin Redwoods by TrongQuyen Nguyen
Take a Hike
Get mom out of dodge and go enjoy one of the countless hikes in California state parks. Bring her to your favorite trail, or look for new routes recommended by our partner Weekend Sherpa. If you'd like something a little more organized, join a two and a half mile, two hour guided hike along Mills Creek at Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park. Enjoy one of our areas hidden treasures as you learn about the lives of the first pioneers and farming families. More info
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park photo by David Fulmer
Serve Breakfast in Tent
If your mom is on the more adventurous side, take her camping! Here are some great Bay Area campsites to choose from. In the morning, you can serve her breakfast in her tent.
Ferry ride to Angel Island[/caption]
Set Sail
For an extra unique afternoon, treat Mom to a ferry ride to Angel Island, where you can spend the afternoon on a guided hike to Angel Island’s Historic Camp Reynolds, where you'll be greeted with a pizza lunch at the historic bake house. After lunch, enjoy mimosas at Battery Ledyard and the best photo ops the Bay Area has to offer of the San Francisco Skyline, San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. From there, hop in an open-air tram for a quick jaunt back to the cafe at Ayala Cove to catch the 3:20 p.m. ferry back to Tiburon. More info
Jack London State Historic Park by Kate Dollarhyde
Find Zen
Learn about mindful walking meditation during a 4.5 -mile hike in Jack London State Historic Park on Saturday. Hike leader and docent Jeff Falconer will give an overview at 10 a.m. of walking meditation that has been used as a healing tool during a 1.5-mile hike to Jack London’s lake before you embark on a 3-mile hike, 2-hour hike between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Meet at the Ranch parking lot.
D.L. Bliss State Park by Ray Bouknight
Head to the Lake
You know the ocean beaches, but don't forget about our lakeside beaches, like Calawee Cove Beach along Lake Tahoe.
Polo at Will Rogers by Nancy Jackson
Catch a Polo Match
Bring a blanket and a picnic brunch to Will Rogers State Historic Park and watch horses pound up and down the field right before you. Learn a little bit about polo, watch a match and then hike the park or tour Will Rogers old house (he was a huge horse and polo fan). Matches are free and open to the public all summer. There are matches most Saturdays from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Where will you go this Mother's Day?