9 Cool Retreat Activities in San Diego to Bond Your Team

Looking for retreat activities in San Diego that will delight and bond your team? We understand. San Diego is one of the West Coast’s top seaside cities, offering some of the best weather on the Californian coast. Whether your team enjoys sailing or surfing — or would rather stay on shore and explore the desert and mountain scenery — San Diego has a variety of locations to choose from for an exciting corporate retreat.

Pick one of these great retreat activities in San Diego, or choose a venue on Peerspace to design your own program from scratch. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals and connects you with local hosts who offer up their unique spaces for your private use.

Whichever option you choose, your team will return to the office feeling refreshed and energized, ready to work together on a new product or milestone.

1. Find a unique gathering place on Peerspace

For a truly impressive retreat experience, surprise your employees with a beautiful Peerspace location rental and a customized schedule of activities for them to enjoy.

With Peerspace, you rent unique spaces from locals by the hour. Many venues are not only amazingly stylish, but they also offer you plenty by way of amenities and personalized services.

So what types of Peerspaces are ideal for a team retreat? Here are a few of our favorites:

• This Tuscany-like secluded estate with breathtaking views in Ramona (pictured above) with outdoor seating, a pergola, gorgeous landscaping, epic views, and an on-site photographer
• This beautifully-designed corporate retreat oasis in Mount Hope with indoor and outdoor lounging areas, a kitchen, and several meeting areas
• This stunning NYC-style urban loft in East Village with more than 3,000 square feet of space, high ceilings, tables, chairs, a kitchen, and several areas to gather and meet
• This modern downtown event venue with indoor/outdoor space, amphitheater-style seating, a games room, and a rooftop deck with sweeping views
• This bamboo garden lounge in Stockton with a covered event canopy, seating for 25, barbecue grills, and two TVs for screening movies or hosting presentations

You get the idea! And since the locations on Peerspace are listed by local hosts, you’ll find personalized touches that you won’t find in a more traditional and corporate event venue. Ask your host for catering recommendations or A/V equipment and furniture rentals. In fact, you can hire a photographer and get corporate headshots in a beautiful off-site location!

2. Plan a corporate beach retreat with Visit Oceanside

Just a short drive up the coast, Oceanside is perfect for a weekend getaway or full-day retreat. Plan your trip with Visit Oceanside to incorporate a combination of team-building activities, such as indoor skydiving or a Bootcamp by the Beach led by retired Navy SEALS.

You can also find less intense activities, including escape rooms, whale watching, and more. Oceanside’s lively tourist district will ensure that your team has plenty of dining and nightlife options, too.

Need the professional touch when it comes to planning your retreat activities? Then reach out to one of these top corporate event planners in San Diego!

3. Hit the waves with San Diego Surf School

Make the most of being close to the beach with a corporate retreat organized by San Diego Surf School. Groups of up to 50 people can enjoy their time on the waves, with surfboards and other gear included.

In addition to personalized instruction with a 3:1 student-teacher ratio, your team will get souvenir hats, T-shirts, and photos to commemorate the experience.

4. Cook up a storm with Cucina Migrante

Looking for retreat activities in San Diego that result in a delicious meal and that offer plenty of laughs along the way? Then we recommend Cucina Migrante. They provide private cooking classes, private chef catering, and even local food tours so that you and your team can bond over artisanal eats.

Book them for an exclusive tour through The Farmer’s Market. Or, you can also invite them to your Peerspace retreat space for a world-class catered meal or a cooking class. One of our favorite options is this sunny house with beautiful views and kitchen in Bay Terraces. It’s a bright and charming space with an open kitchen and indoor and outdoor dining options.

5. Build sandcastles at Kona Kai Resort

Kona Kai resort offers team-building activities in a beautiful waterfront location. In addition to their cooking challenges, such as a cake bake-off and guacamole-making competition, they also offer unique outdoor activities like sandcastle building and human foosball. With a variety of meeting spaces and catering options available, this is a great venue for an all-day retreat not far from the city.

6. Host a retreat at the Museum of Natural History

Looking for retreat activities in San Diego that challenge the mind? Then head to Balboa Park for a day at the San Diego Museum of Natural History. The museum has a range of event spaces suitable for groups of 100 to 1,800. Explore the exhibits, work together to solve the clues at the Botanic Panic escape room, or enjoy a catered reception after hours in one of the museum’s great halls.

The educational component of this venue makes it a great option for out-of-town teams that want to learn more about the region. You can visit interactive exhibits like Fossil Mysteries and Coast to Cactus, then watch the sunset from the 2,600-square-foot El Mirador Rooftop Terrace. It has one of the best views in Balboa Park.

7. Explore the outdoors with Hike Bike Kayak

Hike Bike Kayak offers exciting retreat activities in San Diego for teams that enjoy the outdoors. One of their classic itineraries is a kayak trip to the La Jolla Sea Caves. You’ll have the option to rent wetsuits and waterproof camera cases before heading onto the water. Look out for dolphins, turtles, and sea lions, and go for a swim in the cove before having lunch on the beach.

The team at Hike Bike Kayak can incorporate team-building games into your day and even offer prizes for your employees to take home with them. If kayaking isn’t your thing, you can choose from snorkeling, bike tours, and other year-round outdoor activities.

Check out these corporate events that are anything but corporate for more exciting retreat ideas!

8. Visit the wild animals at Lions, Tigers, & Bears Sanctuary

San Diego is known for its Wild Animal Park, but that isn’t the only place you can see some of the world’s most exotic animals up close. The Lions, Tigers, and Bears Sanctuary is a 93-acre sanctuary that rescues animals that have been mistreated in zoos and circuses. It’s one of the only accredited sanctuaries of its kind in the United States.

Corporate groups can host retreats and catered receptions at one of the outdoor pavilions, or you can take a behind-the-scenes tour and feed the animals yourself. Although the venue is a strict no-contact facility, a visit to the sanctuary is an exciting experience for any team.

9. Have a sailing race with Harbor Sailboats

Encourage your team to work as a real crew with a sailing competition in San Diego Bay. Your group will split up into teams of six and learn how to work together to sail their vessel under the eye of a licensed captain. The race lasts around two and a half hours, and you can customize your outing with catering, branded gear, awards, and professional photography.

Retreat activities in San Diego: conclusion

Give your team the true Southern Californian experience by participating in one of these epic retreat activities in San Diego. Whether you choose one activity or mix and match a few, we think you’ll find the perfect team-building experience to bond your team.

Remember, you can always also browse the listings on Peerspace for more venue options and a customized retreat experience. You can easily book a retreat-worthy venue hosted by a local who would love to help you make your event a success.

Find a unique event space in San Diego on Peerspace