Brunch is so ho-hum. This year take mom for a seaside afternoon, an
eco-hike, or a day of pampering in Petaluma. Then, have brunch.
Seaside getaway to Bodega Bay
Eat: Bodega Bay’s Seaweed Café hosts ‘7 Courses in May’, a menu featuring Andante Dairy cheese and Peay Wines at 6pm, Sunday May 13, $130 prix fixe, seven-course dinner including four wines. 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707.875.2700.
Do: Take an afternoon ride along Route One, from Tomales through Valley Ford, and on up to Bodega Bay. Go for a barefoot stroll along Portuguese Beach.
Gift: Send mom home with a bag of salt water taffy from Candy & Kites, 1415 Coast Highway 1 Bodega Bay, 707.875.3777.
Petaluma spa mama
Eat: Go stand in line at Della Fattoria (141 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma, 707.763.0161) to get mom a lush Valrhona chocolate mocha to start her day off right. Then hoof it over to Hallie’s (125 Keller St., Petaluma, 707.773.1143) for a take-out order of corn cakes and Cajun sausage. Keep warm and serve in bed.
Do: Drop off mom for an afternoon of pampering at Petaluma’s newest spa, Spatini, where she can get her nails did and her kinks worked out in style. 6 Petaluma Blvd. North Suite A-1, Petaluma, 707.762.3055. Then, stop in for a taste of whatever Chris and Jason are pouring at Vine & Barrel, 143 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707.765.1112
Share: An afternoon of walking up and down Kentucky St. and Petaluma Blvd. doing a little window shopping at the tres chic boutiques.
Sonoma Valley gourmet escape
Eat: Grab a seat on the patio of the uber-cool El Dorado Kitchen, right near the pool. The kitchen will be serving brunch on Mother’s Day from 11 to 2:30pm. Even better? Take mom later in the afternoon for an exotic cocktail and appetizers. 405 First St. West Sonoma, (707) 996-3030.
Stay: Les Petites Maisons are adorably cozy cottages for rent a stone’s throw from the Sonoma Square. 1190 East Napa Street, Sonoma, 800-291-8962
Do: Madame de Fromage leads cheese lovers on a regional taste tour of artisan cheeses at from 1 to 3pm on Saturday, May 12 at the St. Francis Winery. $60 for the public, $40 for club members. 100 N. Pythian Rd., Santa Rosa, (800) 543.7713 x 255
Gift: Grab mom a few slices of delightfully stinky cheese from The Cheesemaker’s Daughter, 127 East Napa Street, Sonoma, 707 996 4060. The tiny shop will cut to order, and offer up samples if you’re curious. Don’t forget some crusty bread from Artisan Bakers, 750 West Napa St.
Healdsburg Wine tasting
Eat: Grab an early lunch at Zin Restaurant and Wine Bar–featuring comfort food just like mom used to make. But way better. Treat her to macaroni and cheese, meatloaf or a Cobb salad in the heart of downtown Healdsburg. 344 Center St., Healdsburg, 707.473.0946.
Do: While away the afternoon strolling through the downtown shops and tasting rooms, including Rosenblum Cellars, Thumbprint, Frog’s Leap and Seghesio. Have a little extra time? Head out Dry Creek Road to Bella Vineyards where mom can stroll through the area’s only public wine cave. 9711 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707.473.9171.
Santa Rosa Eco-Conscious
Do: On Saturday, May 12, send mom on a hike through Sonoma’s Kunde Estate while learning about sustainable winegrowing and local ecology. No reservations needed, and best of all, it’s free! Hikes begin at 10am at the Kunde tasting room.
Eat: Head back to Santa Rosa for some organic pancakes and tofu scramble at East West Café, (557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707.546.6142) serving breakfast until 2pm on Sunday.
Sonoma: Coming up Daisies
Eat: Grab a light breakfast or picnic to-go at the flower-powered Blue Tree Café at Cornerstone Gardens. Don’t miss the wall of flowers. 23584A Highway 121, Sonoma, 707.935.1681. While you’re there, check out the forward-thinking landscape exhibit, intriguing nursery and garden knick-knacks to take home.
Do: On Saturday, head to Chateau St. Jean’s Fete De La Fleur, a celebration of spring with artists, music and flowers everywhere. 10am to 4pm, $15. 8555 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood, 707.833.4134.
Off the Beaten Path: Why not take mom to a good, old-fashioned drag show! Donna Sachet hosts 45-minute brunch performances featuring stand-up, lip-syncing and a delicious buffet. Fun for the whole family at the bargain price of $35. Harry Denton’s Starlight Room, 450 Powell Street, San Francisco, (415) 395-8595.