22 California Central Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Whether you're taking mom out for a treat or enjoying a Sunday lunch with friends, these restaurants are perfect for Mother's Day. From kid-friendly favorites to brunch-worthy hotspots, we'll help you find the perfect place to celebrate.

The OpenTable Team

17 Restaurants

Updated April 10, 2019

Restaurants:	Oyster Loft, Lucky's, Bouchon - Santa Barbara…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Seafood, Steakhouse, Californian…
Neighborhoods:	Pismo Beach, Montecito, Santa Barbara…

Oyster Loft

$$$$

Seafood

Pismo Beach

4.8

3118 reviews

Amazing food and drinks! I would definitely eat here again

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Lucky's

$$$$

Steakhouse

Montecito

4.9

2432 reviews

We love Lucky's in Montecito because the food and service is consistently exceptional. The ambience is upscale classic. We highly recommend Lucky's for a memorable, pleasant dining experience.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bouchon - Santa Barbara

$$$$

Californian

Santa Barbara

4.7

4688 reviews

Bouchon is a delicious and lovely restaurant tucked away just off of State Street. I’ve dined here many times and it never disappoints.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Il Cortile Ristorante

$$$$

Italian

Paso Robles

4.8

3521 reviews

We've been several times, and the service, ambiance, and food are always exceptional. I can't recrhem more highly!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Lucia Restaurant & Bar - Bernardus Lodge & Spa

$$$$

Californian

Carmel Valley

4.6

814 reviews

Excellent, attentive, friendly service, great ambience and outstanding food. All around exceptional experience. Thank you.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Ventana Grill

$$$$

Latin American

Pismo Beach

4.6

2778 reviews

We love this place! Wish I remembered our servers name but he couldn’t have been nicer! Perfect balance of presence and responsiveness with leaving us alone to enjoy our evening. Thank you Ventana Grill! It is our third time there and you never disappoint! It is now a must for every time we come to Pismo Beach. ❤️

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Stella Mare's

$$$$

French

Santa Barbara

4.7

1815 reviews

I took my daughter for lunch for her birthday and was very happy with the experience. The cream brûlée was really perfect and we both loved our entre.A beautiful setting, great service and good food.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel Dining Room

$$$$

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

4.5

1337 reviews

Amazing service and food. The venue is beautiful with a view of the ocean. Highly recommend!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Fandango

$$$$

European

Pacific Grove

4.6

3440 reviews

It's always great, so that's why we remain regular diners after many years!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Chart House Restaurant - Monterey

$$$$

Seafood

Monterey

4.5

6087 reviews

Excellent and good

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Sardine Factory

$$$$

Seafood

Monterey

4.6

4261 reviews

Amazing experience for our 4 year anniversary. Food was the best I’ve had in Monterey and will now be a go to dinner stop anytime we come to Monterey. Had the filet mignon and added a lobster tail, it was the best surf and turf I’ve ever had. The steak was perfectly cooked, flavorful and charred, while the lobster was succulent, soft, and had so much meat in the tail. Ambiance was unlike any other- beautiful, scenic, inviting, and straight out of a romance movie. A dreamy spot that would be great for a special occasion. Would definitely recommend trying this place out. Sadly they were out of sticky toffee pudding, which is my favorite dessert, but that just means we need to come back here again for sure!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Sea Venture

$$$$

Contemporary American

Pismo Beach

4.8

1982 reviews

The meal was excellent but one of the meals was delayed by 10 minutes. May be a little better time management by the chef. Just a thought.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Anton & Michel Restaurant

$$$$

Californian

Carmel

4.6

2709 reviews

Absolutely the best lunch in Carmel by the Sea. Food was amazing along with the service. Sea scallop salad was the best! Outdoor dining was very nice with the fountain

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House, at Madonna Inn

$$$$

Steakhouse

San Luis Obispo

4.5

3722 reviews

Went for our anniversary and was exceptional. They seated us early before our appt time and even switched tables so we could get a booth table. Server and food was great.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Pacific's Edge

$$$$

American

Carmel

4.6

2894 reviews

Everything was PERFECT! The View, Atmosphere, Food, Service, everything! We were in Carmel celebrating my dad’s birthday week, and this was the best restaurant experience from beginning to end, flawless! This was our first time visiting and we got lost finding parking, but the valet person (very very kindly) helped us out (though we ended up valet parking). Reception was polite and promptly got us seated (the lighting menu was such a great touch, especially for my parents since its hard for them to read under a low lighted restaurant). Our waiter was AMAZING! He was very friendly, attentive, and took time to make small talks/jokes which we all enjoyed! He definitely knew the food & wine menu, the way he introduced it sounded so good some of us changed what we wanted to get. Food was absolutely great! We got the calamari, mussels, beef bourguignon, salmon, halibut, risotto, bottle of wine, house-made ice cream, chocolate mousse cake; and everything was top notch!! We weren’t rushed out after our meal/wine was done. Everyone really enjoyed and had a great time! So sad I don’t live around, otherwise this place would definitely be my ‘goto’ place for any special occasion! Nevertheless, I would definitely go again, if I’m visiting the area!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Copper Café and Bakery, at Madonna Inn

$$$$

American

San Luis Obispo

4.4

1436 reviews

Forest, our server for the night, was amazing! He had fantastic suggestions, a great attitude, and was so quick. And the food was amazing :)

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Steakhouse at Paso Robles Inn

$$$$

Steakhouse

Paso Robles

4.5

697 reviews

Great service, food was excellent

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Mother's Day Restaurants