Six Ways To Celebrate Mother's Day In The East Bay

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With Mother's Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start thinking of ways to honor mom. Every mom can use some pampering and quality time with the kids. The East Bay has some great events for celebrating Mother's Day this May. Options range from afternoon tea to spending a few relaxing hours together at the spa.

Date: May 11, 2014 starting 1:05 p.m.

What better way to spend time with mon than to take-in a baseball game. The Oakland A's will be playing the Nationals at O.Co Coliseum on Mother's Day. The first 10,000 Fans who arrive will receive a Pink Rally Towel for Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Coliseum.

Date: May 10-11, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Each year, downtown Alameda holds a Spring Festival/Mother's Day celebration. This dog-friendly street fair sells traditional beer, wine and food, as well as festive Mother's Day mimosas. Mom will enjoy perusing the more than 150 arts and crafts vendors, as well as listening to a variety of live music and cover bands. Even the littlest of kids will stay entertained with pony rides, face painting, slot cars, bounce houses and a petting zoo. Make sure to check out the list of local shops and restaurants offering special festival weekend deals.

Date: May 11, 2014

Delight mom by dressing up and treating her to a traditional high tea on the grounds of the historic Dunsmuir Hellman Estate. This 115-year-old, 50-acre estate is home to a 37-room Neoclassical Revival mansion. Tea can be sipped on either the veranda or lawn, and tickets include tea, treats and a tour of the mansion. A no-photography policy for the interior of the mansion is strictly enforced, although visitors are welcome to take pictures of the grounds.

Date: May 10, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Held annually the Saturday before Mother's Day, the Berkeley Edible Schoolyard Plant Sale is the perfect place to take any garden-loving mom. The Edible Schoolyard teaches kids about health, fitness, nutrition and science through work done in the garden. In addition to a variety of edible and ornamental plants for sale, the celebration will include plenty of locally made foods and live music. Take mom on an educational trip through the garden on one of the student-led tours.

Indulge mom with a lavish treat that goes beyond the traditional mani/pedi by gifting her a service from The Foot Spa and Tea Bar. This Oakland business has a unique focus on healing relaxation through varied luxurious foot soaks, massages and cups of tea. Tea at the tea bar is provided free of charge with any spa service. Join mom for a foot soak and prepare to leave your worries at the door.

Date: May 10, 2014 at 7:30 a.m.

Another annual East Bay Mother's Day tradition, the Mermaid Run East Bay is a great opportunity to spend some active time with mom. The all-women run incorporates a number of different course lengths to accommodate a variety of fitness levels. Options on the relatively flat course range from a 5K and 10K run up to a half marathon and new 18-mile sirena run. Kids ages six and up are welcome to register for the kids' runs, and all race finishers will receive a necklace, shirt and post-run food.

Joanna Metheny is a freelance writer covering all things South Bay. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.