When was the last time you spent some quality time with your mom? If you’re like many, you struggle to find time for self-care, let alone time to connect with your mom. But the truth is that quality time with your mother is good for her health, not to mention yours. So this month, why not come up with fun things to do with your mom to show her some appreciation for all she did to help you get where you are today? After all, you don't have to reserve quality time with your mom for birthdays and Mother’s Day.

Book a Spa Day

A day at the spa could be the perfect way to help your mom unwind and relax. A spa day allows relaxation and bonding while you both indulge in necessary self-care. Finding a spa in San Diego is easy, and there are many to choose from. Check some nearby spa websites and scan the service offerings to find one that offers the services you want – whether it be a massage, facial, or a mani-pedi, mom will be sure to appreciate the time and gesture. And after your spa treatment ends, head out to brunch to enjoy your favorite breakfast and lunch combinations.

Have an After-Brunch Snack at Balboa Park

Balboa Park Botanical Garden and Arboretum

Balboa Park is one of the most beautiful places in San Diego, not to mention California. Depending on your mom's mobility, why not take a stroll together down one of the Palm Canyon trails? Take some selfies together while enjoying the winding paths throughout the shady canyon. Remember to snap a photo together at the footbridge near the Alcazar Gardens. After your stroll, find a cool, shady place for a light snack or picnic to renourish your bodies. While you eat, ask your mom to reminisce about her childhood.

Take in a Whale-Watching Adventure

If your mom enjoys boating or spending time on the water, a whale-watching adventure might be just the ticket. The waters surrounding San Diego allow spotting an array of magnificent whales, including gray whales, blue whales, and humpbacks. You might be lucky and spot dolphins, sea lions, and military ships along the way. Consider your whale-watching adventure at either Adventure Whale Watching Tours or Legacy Whale Watch in the morning. The early hours are the best times of the day to spot sealife, and your tummies might appreciate a meal after the fact vs. before.

Splurge on a delectable dinner

If your mom cooked for you all those years, a delicious dinner together at a favorite restaurant is a great way to recognize her for all her efforts. And the San Diego area is a culinary lover's paradise. Whether you select a lingering lunch, a street taco, or a special evening out, remember that good food is excellent for the soul. Want to take it up a notch? Take her on a whale watch and then out for a tasty seafood dinner afterward. Try Water Grill San Diego or Top of the Market and let those taste buds swoon. So, consider making a day of it, combining brunch, a spa day, a park visit, or a whale watch, followed by dinner at a new or favorite locale. Time with your mom is precious, and the memories you make together will last forever.

Shop ‘til you drop

Your mom may have spoiled you as a kid, and now is the opportunity to return the favor. If mom is up to it, indulge in your lunch and burn calories by shopping at some of her favorite stores. Since San Diego is a tourist destination, it is also home to a wide variety of boutiques, outlet malls, and traditional malls. Visit Fashion Valley Mall and let her pick out a new outfit. Want to make the day extra special? Stop in at Tiffany & Co. while at the mall and let mom pick out a bracelet, necklace, or some earrings that she can show off to all her friends.

Surprise mom with a special treat

Just because your day together has ended doesn't mean you can't do something else to tell her how special she is. Consider a gift for your mom that you can send her a few days after your brunch and day together. And for that matter, who says you can't send your mom a gift at any time for no reason other than to tell her how much you love her? Your mom will be delighted to receive a random gift that reminds her how special she is to you today and every day.