California Mothers Day Freebies And Deals 2025 Guide To Special Offers And Experiences

California residents seeking ways to celebrate Mother's Day without overspending will find numerous freebies, discounts, and special offers available across the state. From complimentary admissions to botanical gardens and historical sites to discounted meals and special promotions from national chains, there are multiple options to honor mothers without breaking the bank. This comprehensive guide outlines the verified free samples, promotional offers, and no-cost experiences available throughout California for Mother's Day 2025.

Free Experiences and Activities

California offers several free experiences for families to enjoy together on Mother's Day. These opportunities provide meaningful ways to celebrate without any cost, though some may require advance registration.

California Botanic Garden in Claremont will provide free admission to mothers on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11. The 86-acre garden, the largest dedicated exclusively to California's native plants, works to conserve native and rare species. Mothers can enjoy the gardens from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., though advance ticket reservation is required through the official website at calbg.org. The garden is located at 1500 N College Ave., Claremont.

In Redlands, the historic Kimberly Crest House offers free tours of its six acres of picturesque Italian Renaissance and rose gardens on Mother's Day. These gardens are free to visit Sunday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no reservations required. (Note that house tours require reservations and an additional fee.) The property is located at 1325 Prospect Drive, Redlands.

Families in Laguna Beach can participate in a free guided walk at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park on Mother's Day. The peaceful, mostly flat trail is less than a mile long and includes play and mindfulness exercises to connect with nature, concluding with a tea ceremony. The event runs from 9-11 a.m. and is recommended for ages 10 and older. Participants should bring water and may want to bring a folding chair or yoga mat. Advance registration is required at lagunacanyon.org. (Note that parking at the Nix Nature Center costs $3.)

For those wishing to commemorate the day in a more reflective manner, Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles will host a Mother's Day Remembrance Service at 10 a.m. in the large sanctuary. The service is located at 6001 W. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles.

Several communities are also hosting free events leading up to Mother's Day. The La Sierra library in Riverside will host a card-making event on Friday, May 9, at 3:30 p.m. where attendees can create and take home their own Mother's Day cards. The library is located at 4600 La Sierra Ave.

In Lakewood, the free Pan American Fiesta will run from Thursday, May 8 through Sunday, May 11, with most activities scheduled for Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. The event at Mayfair Park, 5720 Clark Ave., will feature live music, dancing, carnival rides (for additional cost), crafts for sale, and food trucks.

Rancho Cucamonga residents can participate in a free Mother's Day arts and crafts event at GEM Community Center on Saturday, May 10, at 4 p.m. Participants can make gifts for Mom, themselves, or someone special, with an opportunity to meet Hello Kitty and visit vendors. Advance sign-up is recommended at thegemcommuitycenter.org.

The Ontario Museum of History and Art will host Studio Saturdays: Artfully Celebrating Mother's Day, a workshop where participants can create their own Mother's Day gifts. Advance sign-up is recommended for this event.

In Long Beach, the Museum of Latin American Art will offer a free children's workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mother's Day where kids can make crafts and gifts celebrating mothers. Reservations are available online for this family-friendly activity.

Dining Deals and Restaurant Specials

Numerous restaurants and food service establishments throughout California are offering special deals and promotions for Mother's Day 2025. These range from complimentary meals to discounted brunch options and special gift card offers.

Several national chains are providing Mother's Day specials for their loyalty program members. Baskin-Robbins is offering specialty cakes including the Perfect Peony Cake or the Strawberries 'n Cream Cake, with loyalty members receiving $5 off their purchase. The chain is also featuring strawberry tres leche as the flavor of the month for May.

Burger King will provide a free Whopper with the purchase of a King Jr.'s meal for rewards members. Cinnabon is offering $10 in Cinnabon Rewards when customers spend $30 or more on gift cards or eGift Cards through May 11, or $5 in rewards when spending $25 on gift cards through June 15.

Dunkin' Rewards members can purchase a 10-count Munchkins order for $2 through May 15. Arby's is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on sandwiches on May 10 (Mother's Day weekend).

Denny's is providing a $10 discount on purchases of $30 or more when ordering breakfast online or through the Denny's app with the code "MOMDAY." Einstein Bros. Bagels is offering a special "Brunch Box" for Mother's Day, though specific details were not provided in the source material.

Several restaurants and establishments are hosting special Mother's Day brunch events. Compound in Long Beach will host a Mother's Day celebration starting with a breathwork and sound bath session available at 9 or 10:30 a.m. The venue will offer a brunch buffet created by in-house restaurant Union, featuring sweet and savory dishes with a complimentary mimosa or mocktail. Additional available activities include a DIY flower bouquet bar and mother-child aura photography and energy readings. A free art-making zone will be available where visitors can make cards for mom. Brunch reservations are available online, with seatings beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Retail and Food Service Promotions

Beyond restaurants, various retail and food service establishments are offering Mother's Day promotions and special deals for California consumers.

Amazon Fresh is providing several budget-friendly options for Mother's Day shopping. The store is offering 15-stem bouquets of tulips for $9.99 online, along with prepared main dishes starting at $5 and desserts under $5. Customers can also find brunch essentials for under $6 if they prefer to prepare a meal at home.

DoorDash is offering special promotions for those ordering flowers through the platform. DashPass members can unlock $75 worth of select Mother's Day gifts with a flower purchase, while non-members can receive up to $50 in credits. The credits can be applied to breakfast or dinner from the recipient's favorite restaurant and will be automatically applied at checkout after adding a bouquet to the order.

Baskin-Robbins is also offering a Floral Bouquet Cake, allowing customers to select cake and ice cream flavors that are topped with an ice cream cone bouquet of pastel frosting flowers.

Consumer Spending Trends

According to recent surveys, consumers are approaching Mother's Day spending with varying strategies. The National Retail Federation's survey of 7,948 consumers conducted March 31-April 7 found that 84% of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Mother's Day, with an average spending of $259.04 on gifts and activities—about $5 more than the previous year.

However, other research indicates that inflation and economic factors are influencing spending decisions. A LendingTree survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers conducted April 2-3 found that the average planned spending is $148, down 14% from 2023 levels ($172). Over half (56%) of respondents said inflation and the current economy would impact their spending, and 38% indicated that tariffs would cause them to spend less.

Despite these economic pressures, numerous free and discounted options are available for those looking to celebrate Mother's Day without overspending.

Conclusion

California residents have numerous options to celebrate Mother's Day without significant financial expenditure. From free botanical garden visits and historical tours to discounted meals and special promotions, there are opportunities to honor mothers across various interests and budgets.

Families can take advantage of free experiences at California Botanic Garden in Claremont, Kimberly Crest House gardens in Redlands, and guided nature walks in Laguna Beach. Several communities are also hosting free events leading up to Mother's Day, including card-making workshops and cultural festivals.

For those planning to dine out, numerous restaurants and food service establishments are offering special deals. National chains such as Baskin-Robbins, Burger King, Cinnabon, Dunkin', and Arby's have promotions for loyalty program members, while venues like Compound in Long Beach are hosting special brunch events.

Retailers like Amazon Fresh and DoorDash are providing special promotions for flowers, meals, and other gifts. These options, combined with the various free activities available, make it possible to celebrate Mother's Day meaningfully while managing spending in light of current economic conditions.

As always, consumers are encouraged to verify that promotions are still active before taking advantage of any deals, as terms and conditions may apply and offers may be subject to change.

Sources

1. OC Register: 14 Free and Lovely Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day 2025
2. Patch: Mother's Day Dining Deals & Restaurant Guide 2021: California
3. North Jersey: Get Mother's Day freebies, discounts and deals from Starbucks, Krispy Kreme and more
4. Visalia Times-Delta: Mother's Day 2025 California deals and specials for fast food, brunch and dining
5. Visit Long Beach: Mother's Day in Long Beach
6. NY Post: Mother's Day 2025 food deals and freebies from Amazon, DoorDash and more