Are you planning a team-building event for your company in San Diego? Take it outside with these outdoor corporate event ideas. The seaside city has no shortage of options for fun in the sun, so get out of the office and get active with your coworkers with an adventure.
The city is divided into sections known as the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, North Park, Hillcrest, East Village, La Jolla, University Heights, Normal Heights, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Old Town San Diego, Barrio Logan, South Park, and Golden Hill. San Diego's neighborhoods are full of their own personality, and each one offers something for everyone.
For a fun and active team-building event, check out these ideas:
- Temecula Vineyards Wine Tasting Tour
San Diego is filled with gorgeous wineries in Temecula Wine Country. Make the rounds and taste some of the best California wines with a wine tasting tour. Many tour companies can provide winery-to-winery transportation, so you won't have to worry about squeezing your team into an Uber.
Wander from winery to winery in style with a limo and party bus tour options.
Or, for a little more freedom and flexibility, follow these plans for a self-guided winery tour.
- Downtown San Diego Walking City Tour
See the best of the city on a walking tour. Traveling on foot is the best way to experience the neighborhoods and find all of the hidden gems they have to offer. San Diego's neighborhoods have rich histories, but the average tourist might miss out on some of the exciting sights without a structured tour. Give your team the full San Diego-experience with a walking tour.
Wander off on your own or let a tour guide lead you to all the best spots.
Check out the guided walking tours offered in the Gaslamp Quarter.
There's a custom itinerary for every interest.
Ready for a refreshing drink? Take a beer tour or sign your group up for a pub crawl.
Are you a fan of spooky history? Explore the haunts of the paranormal inhabitants of San Diego with walking ghost tours.
You can also embark on a tour made for foodies and discover the most delicious eats the city has to offer.
- Cruise and Sailing tours at San Diego Marina
Enjoy the sun on land and at sea with a day of sailing or a cruise. Sail Liberty offers a special team-building package for your corporate group, andHornblower Cruises allows you to choose from a variety of cruise experiences where you will be given a tour through San Diego's historical landmarks, all by way of the bay!
- Baseball Game at San Diego Petco Park
Take your team out to the ball game during baseball season. Baseball games are great for team-building because there's food, fun and sun rolled into one at the stadium ? Check out the San Diego Padres schedule here to see when they are playing a home game at San Diego's Petco Park.
- Watch live horse racing Del Mar Fairgrounds
You don't have to fly to Kentucky to enjoy horse racing. Visit San Diego's very own racetrack for a day of good food, fun, and friendly betting. Instead of laying actual cash on the line, develop a point system. Let every employee start with the same number of points, which they will use to bet on the horses they think will win. Come up with different prizes that points can be redeemed for, like a lunch outing, or craft coffee for a week.
Tally up everyone's points at the end of the game and determine which prizes they qualify to earn.
- Visit Balboa Park, and its Museums
For endless entertainment options in one central place, check out Balboa Park.
You won't even have to leave for your lunch break. The area is full of statues, gardens, restaurants, tour options, and lots of museums, including the Museum of Man, the Fleet Science Center, Mingei International Museum the, Museum of Photographic Arts, and the San Diego Museum of Natural History.
- Conquer an obstacle course
For an active team that loves a challenge, book a team-building outing at an obstacle course, or even better, rent your own inflatable house and obstacle courses and set up camp at an approved San Diego park. Fans of the show Wipeout and American Ninja Warrior will have a blast putting their limits to the test at these courses:
UC San Diego's on-campus facilities Challenge Course is an excellent team development tool for all types of groups. Jump 4 Adan, a local jumper rental company in San Diego, has a great variety of inflatable jumpers, water slides, obstacle courses, and carnival games, with free setup and delivery to any city park in San Diego.
- Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails
For an affordable outdoor team-building event, take a hike! Or bike ride, or horseback ride.
Download the Easy2Hike app to see all of the best trail maps.The Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails page on the San Diego Parks website can help you find all of the information you need to begin your adventure.
You can also find beach-side horseback riding at Surfside Ranch.
Biking is also a popular mode of transportation in San Diego.
The Bike Revolution is a popular bike rental company that can hook you up with a set of wheels for each staff member on your team.
- Go on a scavenger hunt
Take your team on a city-wide adventure goal-oriented adventure. Explore the city with purpose with a custom designed scavenger hunt for your corporate group. Deciphering the clues is an excellent team-building exercise, but will feel like all play and no work.
- Get colorful with a paintball battle
Remember the episode of Community where they all played paintball in the office? (23rd episode, titled "Modern Warfare"). You can recreate it (with less chaos) for a team that isn't afraid to get messy—getting employees out of their usual work routine, roles, and comfort zone to play paintball is an excellent way to form stronger bonds.
This local San Diego paintball place specializes in team-building events, so you know your corporate event will be in capable hands.
Whether you're artsy, active, adventurous, or a food and wine connoisseur, there's something for everyone in San Diego. Bring your team closer together and create a better working environment by taking a day to explore all the team-building activities San Diego has to offer.
Article by Alex Uria Creative Agency.