San Francisco - April 30, 2007

Mother Lode

Mother’s Day Guide

Admit it. She was right about a lot of things. (Dating a bartender was dumb, the hair on your legs did grow back twice as thick, and you wouldn’t last a week in the Army). Leave Mom speechless with a great gift — before she can say “I told you so.”

Daytrip to the spa at Four Seasons Silicon Valley (2050 University Avenue, East Palo Alto; 650-566-1200). Sun by the pool before a holistic hot stone massage and mani/pedi for two. Or treat her to tea in The Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek.

You (finally) gave her grandkids. Now give her baby photos by Lauri Levenfeld.

Acknowledge her inner gourmet with a rare cookbook from appointment-only Le Sanctuaire (315 Sutter Street, fifth floor; 415-986-4216) or mismatched vintage cookie cutters from Cookin’ (339 Divisadero Street; 415-861-1854).

Sweeten her up with Serendipity Chocolates (638 Second Street, Oakland; 510-663-2462). Wrap her favorite bubbly in a hand-dyed indigo furoshiki (Tsurukichi Indigo Japan, 864 Post Street; 415-292-5550) and sip together from a set of dainty painted glasses (Nest, 2300 Fillmore Street; 415-292-6199).

If you can’t find something on violet.com, you’re hopeless.

But she loves you anyway.

Need more ideas? Check out our Everywhere Mother’s Day guide.