Mother's Day in Palo Alto

Mother's Day in Palo Alto is a brunch holiday. By 10 a.m. on the second Sunday in May, the patios on Emerson Street and California Avenue are full of families, flower bouquets are propped on chairs and the line at the bakery counter runs out the door. Then the afternoon turns to gardens and long walks, since May is one of the prettiest months of the year here, warm and dry with the roses at their peak.

In 2027 Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 9. It shares the weekend with the Stanford Powwow, which draws dancers, drum groups and visitors to campus. This guide covers how to book a meal, where to walk, where to buy flowers and what runs normally that day. For the rest of the month, see our May guide.

What is open on Mother's Day

Mother's Day is not a public holiday, so everything that is normally open on a Sunday is open. There are no city closures, no trash changes and no special transit timetable.

The shopping center lists its regular Sunday hours on its hours page. Individual stores and restaurants inside can differ. Downtown Library and some other branches are closed on Sundays, so check the library's hours page if you plan to stop in.

Brunch and lunch

Brunch on Mother's Day is the busiest seating of the spring, so book two to three weeks ahead. Several local restaurants have run special menus in recent years. None had posted 2027 plans as of November 1, 2026.

• Taverna is a Greek farm to table restaurant on an Emerson Street corner with a veranda and weekend brunch from 10:30 a.m. It posted a special Mother's Day menu in 2026 and suggests checking its site before big occasions.
• Khazana on University Avenue, from chef Sanjeev Kapoor, has advertised a Mother's Day prix fixe with special kids pricing on its events page.
• Dinah's Poolside Restaurant at Dinah's Garden Hotel on El Camino Real serves breakfast daily from 7 a.m. and has hosted a Mother's Day brunch buffet.
• Local Union 271 on University Avenue serves brunch on weekends with a patio and a menu built around local farms.
• Reposado on Hamilton Avenue serves Mexican brunch on weekends. Sweet Maple on University Avenue serves American breakfast with an Asian touch from 8:30 a.m. daily.

Breakfast places that do not take reservations fill fastest. If your mother is an early riser, a 9 a.m. table beats a 45-minute wait at noon. Our brunch guide covers the full list.

Afternoon tea

For something quieter, Tea Time on Ramona Street is an English tea room with more than 120 loose-leaf teas and afternoon tea service. It is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and books up ahead of holidays.

Dinner

Dinner on Mother's Day is usually easier to book than brunch. Many families choose an early evening meal at a favorite neighborhood place instead. Ask whether the restaurant is serving a set menu that night.

Cooking at home is the other local tradition. The Sunday farmers market on California Avenue is the place for strawberries, asparagus and cut flowers in May. Sigona's at Stanford Shopping Center and the family-run Piazza's in the Charleston Shopping Center sell cheese, prepared food and good bread for a breakfast in bed. A picnic basket from either one also travels well to a garden or park.

The Stanford Powwow

The Stanford Powwow is one of the region's biggest cultural gatherings and has traditionally been held over Mother's Day weekend. Its organizers list the 56th powwow for May 7 to 9, 2027, in the Eucalyptus Grove across from Stanford Stadium. The first powwow was held on May 1, 1971. The weekend brings dance competitions, drum groups, food and arts vendors. It is a family event with clear rules: no drugs, alcohol or fires. Only service animals are allowed.

A Saturday or Sunday visit pairs well with lunch nearby. Bring a hat and water, since the grove can get warm in May. Parking near the stadium fills on the busiest afternoon, so arrive early or take Caltrain to Palo Alto station and allow about 30 minutes to walk across campus.

Gardens and walks

May is garden season. Four easy outings:

1. Gamble Garden. The Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden at 1431 Waverley Street is a historic home and garden in Old Palo Alto. The grounds are free to wander in daylight. Its spring garden tour normally runs in late April. The 2027 dates had not been posted as of late October 2026.
2. Filoli. The estate in Woodside is about 25 minutes away by car. Its formal gardens are in full bloom in May. Buy timed tickets ahead. See our Filoli guide.
3. Arizona Cactus Garden. The 1880s garden near the Stanford Mausoleum is free and quiet. Many cacti bloom in late spring.
4. The Baylands. The flat boardwalk at the end of Embarcadero Road suits every pace, with views over the marsh to the hills.

Flowers and gifts

Mother's Day is one of the two busiest weeks of the year for local florists, along with Valentine's Day. Order a delivery a week ahead, or pick up a bouquet at the California Avenue farmers market that morning. Our flowers and plants guide lists florists and nurseries.

For edible gifts, Manresa Bread at Town & Country Village bakes slow-fermented sourdough and pastries daily from 8 a.m. Mademoiselle Colette on Lytton Avenue is a French pastry shop open Sunday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chocolates from the shops on Bryant Street or at Stanford Shopping Center are a safe choice too. Get there early on Saturday if you want a full selection.

Visiting mom in Palo Alto

Many people fly in for Mother's Day weekend. Mid-May is busy here: Stanford's spring quarter is in full swing. Commencement follows a month later. Hotels near campus can fill on event weekends, so book early and compare rates for the whole weekend. Weekend rates often run higher than midweek ones.

If your family wants a day out of town, wine country and the coast are both within reach. A guided wine country tour saves anyone from driving home after a tasting. The coast at Half Moon Bay is about 40 minutes over the hills and makes an easy Sunday drive.

With kids

Kids who want to plan something for Mother's Day have easy options. The farmers market sells flowers and pastries at kid-friendly prices. A picnic at Rinconada Park or Mitchell Park needs nothing more than a blanket. The city's May Fete Children's Parade, held every year since 1924, usually runs on a Saturday in early May, so check whether the 2027 date lands the day before Mother's Day.

Frequently asked questions