Making It A Day For Mom

Sunday is Mother’s Day, celebrated in many parts of the world to honor mothers and motherhood. A holiday that follows the tradition of “Mothering Sundays” in many countries and is honored on various days, it was first recognized as an official holiday in the U.S. in 1914, after Anna Jarvis campaigned to make it so in the years following her own mother’s death.

Restaurants and shops throughout Laguna Beach will honor moms with an array of activities and offerings. Spend quality time strolling through the wildflowers, enjoy a spring brunch or make a candle together. And don’t forget to pick up Mom’s favorite flowers — roses, lilacs and hydrangeas are abundant this time of year.

To all of the mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Special treats

Crystal Cove State Park will feature a wildflower hike at 9 a.m. on Mother’s Day. Hikers should meet at the El Moro Visitor’s Center. For more information, call (949) 494-3539.

Pure Light Candle Company, 821 Laguna Canyon Road, will celebrate Mother’s Day with candle-making and high tea throughout the day, where you can make a gift for mom alone or with the family, or bring her in to create special memories together. Choose from an array of shapes, colors and fragrances, and even add a message in a bottle or other decorative items. To make a reservation, call (949) 376-7200 or e-mail info@purelight celebrations.com.

Stems flower shop, 998 S. Coast Hwy., will offer free delivery or a free candle with Mother’s Day purchases of $100 or more. The soy-based candles are handmade by a local candle-maker, and are available in rose, gardenia and lilac fragrances. (949) 497-9775.

Left Turn Jewelry and Oscar de la Renta will hold a Mother’s Day trunk show with champagne and refreshments from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Montage Laguna Beach, Suite 227, 30801 Coast Hwy.

Brunches and dinners

French 75, 1464 S. Coast Hwy., will feature a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m., with special entrees including halibut picholine, filet benedict and house cured salmon for $40 per person, $15 for kids. Submit letters saying why your mom is special for a chance to win her an evening of pampering, where a French 75 chef will prepare dinner for her and seven guests in the comfort of her own home, with champagne, wine and chocolates. For reservations, call (949) 494-8444. For contest rules, visit www.french75.net.

Hush, 858 S. Coast Hwy., will offer a three-course Mother’s Day Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a choice of starter, entrée and dessert. Specials include apple cheddar squash soup, Mediterranean quiche and an exotic fruit tart. $40 per person, $19 for the child’s menu. Call (949) 497-3616 for reservations or visit www.hushrestaurant.com.

Laguna Culinary Arts, 845 Laguna Canyon Road is offering a Mother’s Day Brunch for $90 per person. The 10 a.m. brunch menu is: prosecco refresher; baby greens with Scotch quail egg; wild mushroom scramble on crab hash; Creme brulee French toast with creme Anglaise and fresh berry coulis. To make a reservation, call (949) 494-0745 or visit www.lagunaculinaryarts.com.

Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 S. Coast Hwy., will offer Mother’s Day specials of each of its restaurants. The Grand Ballroom will feature a lavish champagne brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a 12-station buffet, jazz trio, a complimentary family portrait and a special keepsake for Mom. $95 for adults, $40 for children 4 to 12. The Loft will offer a four-course prix-fixe menu from noon to 3 p.m. with a choice of appetizer, entrée, cheese and dessert, and includes a glass of sparkling wine. $85 for adults, $30 for children; The Studio special, available from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., includes the option of a five-course Chef’s Tasting Menu with optional wine pairings or a la carte menu. $115 per person, $165 with wine pairings.

Mozambique, 1740 S. Coast Hwy., will feature solo pianist, Lee Ferrell (father of Will Ferrell) from noon to 3 p.m. For reservations, call (949) 715-7777.

Sapphire Laguna, 1200 S. Coast Hwy., will feature a Seasonal Delights Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Mother’s Day. The three-course prix-fixe brunch menu starts with chilled jumbo shrimp, then offers choices including roasted chicken in Alsatian Riesling, Korean beef Bibimbap or pan-seared Alaskan halibut, and concludes with white peach melba creme brulee, lemon-ginger pudding cake or chocolate hazelnut torte. $58 per person, $29 for children ages 5 to 12. A special menu will be offered for kids 4 and younger, including healthy choices created by Chef Azmin. For reservations, call (949) 715-9888.

Sundried Tomato Café, 361 Forest Ave., will feature a Mother’s Day brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a menu of assorted a la carte and lunch entrees. They include eggs Benedict, steak and eggs, brie and caramelized onion omelet, and poundcake French toast. Champagne, mimosas and Bloody Marys are also available for $5 each. (949) 494-3312.

— Ashley Breeding