12 fun and free places to take Mom for Mother’s Day 2024
You love the mom in your life, right? But you don’t have the money this year to take her somewhere pricey.
Well, not to worry. Mom won’t feel slighted when you do one of these special things for her, and it won’t even be obvious that you didn’t break the bank to do it. Here are some suggestions:
UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden. Los Angeles: One of the few free public gardens around, encompassing 7.5 acres including California natives, desert, ferns, palms, bromeliads, herbariaum and more. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. You can bring your leashed pooch, too. Main entrance is at La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles. (Campus parking in Structure 2 costs $15, or look for street parking.) Learn more: botgard.ucla.edu
Monterey Park Birthday Celebration: This event includes free admission and live entertainment celebrating the 108th birthday of Monterey Park, running Thursday May 9 to Sunday May 12. Carnival rides and food have an additional cost. Sunday’s event is 1 to 10 p.m. at Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave. montereypark.ca.gov
Oak Glen Preserve, near Yucaipa: Drive up to apple country for the day. Look for wildflowers and hummingbirds while strolling this property owned by the Wildlands Conservancy, which includes the entire Los Rios Rancho Apple Farm. Check out the Southern California Montane Botanic Garden and Children’s Outdoor Discovery Center. Bring a picnic and walk on miles of trails. 39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen. wildlandsconservancy.org/preserves/oakglen
Pan American Fiesta, Lakewood: Free admission and entertainment to this annual event with live music, dancing, carnival rides (for additional cost) crafts for sale and food trucks. It runs Thursday, May 9 through Sunday, May 12. Note the live entertainment is only on Saturday. Mayfair Park, 5720 Clark Ave. lakewoodcity.org
Mothers Day Art Fair at the Hollywood Farmers Market. This market is always fun to visit, with 150 vendors, open every Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can get a free ticket to the art fair on eventbrite.com if you want a spot reserved in advance. 1600 Ivar Ave., Hollywood.
Mother’s Day Rosary: (note this is at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11) This is taking place at all 11 Catholic cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Join in person at a cemetery or it will also be live streamed. catholiccm.org/rosary.
Placerita Canyon State Park, Newhall: Take Mom to the San Gabriel Mountain foothills, go for a bird walk, see the hummingbird gardens, visit the nature center and explore more than 12 miles of trails, including a seasonal stream. One trail is wheelchair friendly. Open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall placerita.org
Mother’s Day Remembrance Service, Los Angeles: Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Ave. Los Angeles. 10 a.m. in the large sanctuary. Music, song and prayer. Share stories and memories. hillsidememorial.org
Fullerton Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton: This is a lovely place to take a spring stroll through desert, Mediterranean, woodland and cultivated gardens. No pets or picnics allowed. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the Symbiosis art exhibit that ends Sunday, May 12. There’s a box where you can pay a $5 suggested donation if you feel inclined. Paid parking. 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton (near the CSUF baseball field off Yorba Linda Boulevard) arboretum.fullerton.edu
Eaton Canyon, Pasadena: If mom likes being outdoors, check out this nature center and easy-rated 4-mile roundtrip hike up to a waterfall. Get there early before the parking lot is full. Dogs on leashes are OK. It’s beautiful. Wear a hat and bring water. Open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 1750 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena parks.lacounty.gov
Deane Dana Friendship Park and Nature Center, San Pedro: Take a walk with panoramic views of San Pedro and the harbor, have a picnic, visit the nature center and enjoy 123 acres of this park. Wheelchair friendly path, picnic shelters and playground. Open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.1805 W. 9th St., San Pedro parks.lacounty.gov
Clean your mom’s house and yard: No, don’t roll your eyes at me. This might not be a fun outing for you, but I guarantee your mother will appreciate it. Well, most moms anyway. Don’t ask, just arrive early and get started, preferably with bagels or doughnuts.
And note that a hug is always free!