How to Celebrate Mom This Mother’s Day: Activities & Gifts
After years of changing your diapers, bandaging your boo-boos, and putting up with your teen angst, it’s no wonder moms get their own special day! And while 24 hours simply isn’t enough time to show them all the love they deserve, we can still make Mother’s Day one to remember. Whether your mom would rather spend the day making memories together, relaxing and being pampered, or unwrapping a thoughtful surprise, there are plenty of ways to celebrate her. To help you plan the perfect day in Newport Beach, we’ve rounded up some of the best Mother’s Day activities and gift ideas she’s sure to love.
Activities in Newport Beach For the Mom Who Loves to Be Pampered
Shop Small Business at the Female Maker Market at Lido Marina Village
Bring mom to Lido Deck on May 9th for some early festivities! A very special Mother’s Day Marketplace presented by the Female Maker Market will be taking place. You can shop local small businesses, enjoy live entertainment, and a flower bar.
Splurge on Self-Care at The Spa at Pelican Hill
Nothing says “I love you” like a day at the spa! If your mom could use some pampering, give her the gift of a 60-minute Renewal Therapeutic Massage at The Spa at Pelican Hill. This soothing treatment uses varying pressure and strokes to relieve anxiety and soothe the mind and muscles. Essential oils like lavender, vetiver, clary sage, sweet orange, and sweet marjoram create an aromatic experience that’ll have her saying, “Ahhh.”
Mother’s Day Spa Experience at SPA VEA
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a soothing full-body aromatherapy massage at SPA VEA, infused with uplifting notes of citrus and warm vanilla to relax the body and calm the mind. Continue with a nourishing organic facial designed to restore hydration and leave the skin visibly radiant. Enjoy chocolates and a glass of sparkling wine, and take home a special gift to extend the glow beyond your visit.
Activities in Newport Beach For the Mom That Enjoys Being Outdoors
Go Whale Watching
Looking for fun things to do on Mother’s Day with a mama who loves the ocean? Surprise your mama with a magical whale watching cruise right here in Newport Beach. Spring marks the start of blue whale season, and local companies like Newport Landing, Davey’s Locker, and Newport Coastal Adventure offer daily excursions led by expert guides. It’s a Mother’s Day experience she won’t forget—cruising alongside dolphins, soaking in the salty air and spotting these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Mother’s Day with The Picnic Collective
Treat your mom to an elevated beach picnic or an elevated Duffy boat ride with The Picnic Collective! Let them do their magic and transform your lunch into a beautiful masterpiece with their expertise in decorating and aesthetics! Mom will be wowed and feel loved! Plus, the photo ops from the setup will leave you with lasting memories!
Explore the Spring Beauty of Roger’s Gardens
If your mom is always on the go and could use a bit of leisure time, nothing calms the soul like an afternoon at Roger’s Gardens. This Corona del Mar destination functions as a plant nursery, gift shop, and gardening center, and even houses an on-site restaurant. Spend some time with Mom strolling through Roger’s Gardens‘ curated collection of home goods, gifts, and accessories. Then, sit down to an alfresco brunch at Farmhouse, where she can indulge in spring offerings like apple and fig French toast, fresh Bloody Marys, green chile, pork and eggs, and more.
For the Mom That Loves To Brunch
Mother’s Day Brunch at Balboa Bay Resort
The beautiful Balboa Bay Resort is one of Newport Beach’s premier brunch destinations. Perched on the harbor in Newport Beach, this luxury hotel is known for its views. This Mother’s Day, you can treat mom to an exclusive seaside dining experience! Indulge in an extravagant seafood spread, savor fresh omelets, and delight in treats like the bourbon bananas foster. Your ticket includes beverages like mimosas and sparkling, plus a photobooth to commemorate the day and live music!
Mother’s Day Premier Champagne Brunch Cruise
For the mom who loves to brunch with a view, the Mother’s Day Premier Champagne Brunch from City Cruises is the perfect choice. Enjoy a chef-inspired buffet with a selection of wine, champagne, and classic cocktails, while taking a cruise of the harbor.
Mother’s Day Brunch at SET
Celebrate Mom with a relaxed and refined Mother’s Day Brunch at SET. Mom can enjoy complimentary bottomless mimosas and floral crowns, alongside a selection of festive food and beverage specials created just for the occasion. Gather, toast, and enjoy a beautiful brunch designed to feel thoughtful, celebratory, and unmistakably special.
Mother’s Day at VIEW
Celebrate Mom in elevated coastal style at VIEW, located at VEA Newport Beach. Celebrate Mother’s Day Enjoy a curated selection of à la carte favorites including a signature breakfast burrito, fresh parfait, avocado toast, lobster benedict, and a classic two‑egg breakfast. Pair your meal with festive sips like mimosas or a perfectly crafted Bloody Mary as you take in sweeping coastal views.
Mother’s Day Festive Brunch Buffet at Mar Vista
Celebrate Mother’s Day surrounded by love and a lavish brunch display. From luxurious caviar to chilled seafood, to poke bar to all breakfast favorites, mom will be savoring every bite. Enjoy live entertainment to add to the festivities.
Honoring Mom: A Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet Soiree at Shor
Celebrate Mom with a memorable dining experience filled with exceptional culinary specialties plus a bottomless Mimosa bar. The highlights include breakfast specialties, Prime Rib carving station, sushi, ice seafood station, charcuterie, and more. Make your reservation here.
Best Luxury Gifts For Mom
Jewelry from Marrow Fine
Forget flowers—this Mother’s Day, it’s all about the sparkle. Looking for the best shopping in Newport Beach? Marrow Fine in Lido Marina Village is where magic (and major bling) happens. Founded by Jillian and Tim Sassone, this ultra-chic boutique is filled with jaw-dropping rings, dainty everyday pieces and fully customizable designs that feel personal, not cookie-cutter. Whether you’re reimagining Grandma’s old brooch into a modern heirloom or picking out something shiny just because, the team here knows how to turn sentiment into sparkle. PSA: Fine jewelry lasts forever, unlike that grocery store bouquet.
Designer Sunglasses from Warby Parker
Shopping in Newport Beach and need a stylish gift for the mom who’s always stylin’? Head over to Warby Parker at Fashion Island, where the sunglasses are just as iconic as she is. From sleek metal frames to playful, bold designs, Warby Parker has something to match every vibe. The best part? Their frames are high-quality, designed in-house and priced to keep both you and your wallet happy. Check out their latest spring arrivals and snag a pair of sunnies that’ll make her feel fabulous all year long.
Private Yacht Charter with Newport Coast Marine Yacht Charters
Want to set the bar sky high this Mother’s Day? Rent her a yacht. (Yes, seriously!) Newport Coast Marine Yacht Charters will have your mom living her “Real Housewives” fantasy as she cruises past million-dollar mansions and sparkling sea views. We’re talking plush seating, top-tier navigation tech and a licensed crew ready to serve full vacation energy. Bonus points if you bring champagne and a playlist. Warning: She may never want to go back to land life after this!
Custom Perfume from Le Labo
Smelling good is a love language—and Le Labo at Lido Marina Village is fluent. This ultra-luxe perfumery specializes in custom-blended fragrances, meaning you can pick a scent, have it freshly mixed by hand and add her initials to the label for an extra special touch. Whether she’s into warm sandalwood or fresh florals, her new signature scent will be 100% hers. Plus, the aesthetic at Le Labo is basically a Pinterest board come to life, so you’re going to want to linger.
Best Gifts For Mom Who Loves To Relax
Business & Pleasure Co. Beach Chair
A chic, coastal-cool gift that feels equal parts thoughtful and elevated: a beach chair from the newly opened Business & Pleasure Co. in Newport Beach. Located just steps from the water near Lido Marina Village, the space itself is part of the experience—filled with striped canvases, polished details, and sun-warmed textures that embody effortless California living. Their signature beach chairs are as stylish as they are functional, making them the perfect companion for long, leisurely days by the ocean. It’s the kind of gift that instantly upgrades Mom’s beach setup—equal parts practical, beautiful, and very Newport.
Spa Day at The Resort at Pelican Hill
If relaxation were an Olympic sport, The Spa at Pelican Hill would have a gold medal. This sanctuary is the crown jewel of Newport Beach spa days, offering treatments that practically melt you into the massage table. Book her a Himalayan Salt Stone Massage to banish stress or a Diamond Radiance Facial that will leave her skin glowing brighter than her Mother’s Day mimosa. Add poolside lounging to the mix, and she might never want to go home.
Skincare Gift Set from Cos Bar
If your mom is a skincare queen (or just really into glowy skin), a trip to Cos Bar at Lido Marina Village will have her doing cartwheels. This luxe beauty boutique carries all the heavy hitters—think La Mer, Bobbi Brown, HUM, and Grown Alchemist. The best part? Their team will help you curate a customized gift set that feels extra thoughtful (and way more fun than a random gift card). Stock up on serums, masks, and dreamy fragrances and prepare to win Mother’s Day by a landslide.
