Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 12th, which is right around the corner. Fortunately, there’s still time to start planning your mom’s special day. We understand that every mom is one of a kind. That’s why we put together three different Mother’s Day plans, with a range of options to fit mom’s unique personality. Is she more of a morning adventurer, an afternoon shopper or an evening moviegoer? Whichever sounds most like mom, here’s some inspiration to help you customize Mother’s Day, while supporting local Novato businesses.
Morning Adventurer (breakfast and a hike)
Begin the morning with your early bird mom at Bacon, a delicious little diner in downtown Novato. Choose from a variety of eggs benedict made with honey bee bacon. If you think your mom would prefer to sleep in, there’s always brunch. Consider taking mom to Novato’s brunch hotspot Hilltop 1892. This award-winning restaurant offers incredible views and an impressive menu that features fresh, farm-style eats. Their tasty short-rib hash comes well-recommended.
As a morning adventurer, your mom probably enjoys quality time in the great outdoors. Lucky for her, Novato has no shortage of places to hike. If you’re looking for a simple nature walk, try the waterfall trail at Indian Valley Open Space Preserve. This hike is short, sweet and delightfully scenic. For those who are a little more advanced, check out the Social Trail Loop at Ignacio Valley Open Space Preserve, located off Fairway Drive.
Prepare for the day by stocking up on hiking gear at Old Town Sports or Sports Basement Novato.
If you want to say it with flowers, visit Kate’s Blossoms to find beautiful bouquets, made with love by skilled florist Kathleen Cage, who coordinates with the Bay Area’s finest growers and distributors.
Afternoon Shopper (lunch and shopping)
Morning hikes are not for everyone. Some mom’s prefer to make a day of lunch and shopping. If that’s the case for your mom, take her to Sushiholic for lunch. Conveniently located in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, Sushiholic is known for their outstanding service, relaxed ambiance and high quality sushi.
Alternatively, head to Wildfox for lunch on the patio to enjoy Novato’s beautiful weather. Wildfox features rotisserie meats, fresh seafood, wood fired pizzas, refreshing garden salads and so much more. Lunch is served from 11:30am-2:30pm.
Mom might enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting, in which case visit Mantra Wines’ chic tasting room on Grant Avenue. Mantra’s wines reflect the unique characteristics of their high elevation vineyard sites in the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys of Sonoma County. Try the wine-maker flight which features Mantra’s own sparking champenoise, merlot and cabernet. They’ll be open from 3pm-7pm on Sunday.
If she’s more of a beer girl, she might prefer an ice cold brew from Indian Valley Brewing. Recently opened by Novato natives Matt and Joe Tachis, this microbrewery serves bold, balanced flavors at their on-site taproom. Indian Valley Brewery is tucked away on 1016 Railroad Ave.
Grant Avenue is full of delightful, local places to shop. Consider spending an enjoyable hour or two walking down our charming Downtown shopping district. You’ll find lovely boutiques like Accents, which sells a variety of fashionable clothing and accessories, Alice Becker, which sells designer brands like Joseph Ribkoff, and Mara’s for unique home gifts and Italian leather shoes and bags. Elsewhere in Novato, there are fun finds to be had at Vintage Oaks, with stores like Nordstrom Rack and Francescas.
Evening Moviegoer (dinner and a movie)
Many moms are busy during the day, many moms are night owls and many moms simply enjoy a nice dinner and an entertaining flick. If your mom falls into the latter category, consider taking her to The Village, a perfect hometown eatery. Enjoy authentic Italian dishes like penne with spicy Italian sausage or fettuccine al pesto. Be sure to ask your server for a side of their delicious garlic butter bread.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to make Mother’s Day reservations in advance, as it may be hard to get a table on this special day. It will make your day go that much smoother.
Moylan’s Brewery and Restaurant is Novato’s most popular Irish pub for a reason. Let mom enjoy the fun, laid back ambiance of Moylans with a delicious Irish meal and a refreshing beer. Better yet, it’s conveniently located next to Century Rowland Plaza Theatre. Located on Rowland Way, Century Rowland is a Cinemark theatre that shows the latest selection of movies with luxury loungers and a fully stocked snack bar.
However you choose to plan the day, show mom you care with a customized Mother’s Day experience. She’ll love it, as will your local Novato businesses, who appreciate your support every day of the year.
