13 Cool Team Building Activities in San Diego
- Date: May 5, 2024
- Topic: Meetings
- Contributors: Written by Nina Gunther-Segal
Source: Peerspace
There are so many reasons to love living in San Diego. Think delectable street tacos to the roughly 70-degree weather throughout much of the year and the abundance of unbeatable beaches. Being a resident of San Diego is a joy. Businesses located in or near San Diego are also super-lucky for similar reasons: When planning events, like shared team building activities in San Diego, there are a staggering number of fabulous options, both indoors and out.
If you’re looking for a private space to regroup with your team, then consider booking a Peerspace venue. Choose from hundreds of pristine, stylish, and inviting venues in San Diego alone. All are available by the hour, making it super easy to customize your very own team building event. In fact, we’ll share photos of real Peerspace venues in San Diego along with the activities below so you can see them for yourself! You’ll be amazed to learn of all the city has to offer as you scan our list of 13 top-notch team building activities in San Diego.
1. Plan your own event or workshop by booking a unique Peerspace
For those of you planning your own team building activities, finding the right location doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming: Peerspace makes it so simple. As the world’s largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, Peerspace unlocks unique spaces — from creative galleries to industrial lofts to houses with ocean views and beyond.
Check out the numerous spaces in San Diego suited to just about whatever team building event you’re hoping to plan:
- This creative multi-purpose event space in North Park (pictured above) with room for 25 guests, a monitor, a conference table, a kitchen, and optional coffee service and breakout space
- This gorgeous outdoor event space that’s part of a Barrio Logan brewery, with room for 115 people, homemade beers, A/V equipment, and optional catering
- This Gaslamp District art gallery with space for 350 and optional add-ons like high-speed Wi-Fi, food and beverage catering, A/V equipment, and art activities
- This beautiful outdoor oasis in La Mesa with room for 75 guests, a multi-tiered deck, heat lamps, a fire table, a TV, a six-person Jacuzzi, and a sound system
- This Lakeside contemporary farmhouse for 20 people, featuring a heated pool, outdoor seating, and a wealth of games like giant Jenga and cornhole
- This bright Mid-City surf house that can accommodate 40, with an outdoor lounge area and beautiful modern interior decor
This is only a small sampling of the amazing spaces you can rent in San Diego through Peerspace. Not only that, but when you book a Peerspace, you get the full support of your venue’s friendly local host. They strive to make your experience at their spaces one to remember and can help you source any extras you need that don’t already come with the space.
2. Go skydiving indoors at iFly
One of the most exciting team building activities in San Diego: indoor skydiving! If you can incorporate actual flight into your group activity, you’re pretty much guaranteed to create a memorable experience that coworkers will talk about for weeks or months afterward.
iFly accommodates both large and small groups and creates thrilling events that will bring your team together in a fun way. The experience of floating and flying in a safe, controlled environment not only boosts adrenaline but also breaks down barriers and builds trust among team members.
This activity is meticulously planned to ensure every participant feels involved and energized. Whether it’s a first-time flyer or someone who’s experienced, iFly’s skilled instructors are there to guide each person through the process. Invigorate your team with a truly unique experience that goes beyond conventional team-building activities.
Our cool Instagram photo ideas in San Diego can introduce you to new venues practically in your own backyard. Check them out!
3. Solve the clues with Murder n’ Mayhem
There’s a killer on the loose. Can you and your team band together to stop this maniac in their tracks before you become the next victim? This is the challenge that Murder n’ Mayhem offers you and your team. Their team building exercise involves following clues through the Gaslamp District, helping you and your team think on your feet as you solve the case.
Murder n’ Mayhem also hosts crime tours and ghost tours, as well as organizes mystery parties — if that’s more of your team’s speed. After catching the killer, hang out at this upscale club room in East Village for a relaxing way to close out a great day full of sleuthing.
4. Test your strength and team-working skills at UCSD Challenge Course
Connect and build camaraderie with a combination of climbing and ground-based activities that’ll involve working together and pushing your limits. The USCD Challenge Course website describes their activities best — it “provides customized adventure-based team building programs with a focus on leadership development and group dynamics.”
The course features activities on the ground and climbing elements that are positioned 25 to 45 feet above the ground. Professional facilitators tailor programs specifically for your group’s needs, aiming to achieve defined goals. Participants will push their personal boundaries and enhance group unity, gaining skills in leadership, goal-setting, and decision-making in the process.
Success on our course does not depend on physical strength or fitness, making it accessible and rewarding for all participants. Plus, the programs are customized to suit your group’s needs, goals, and budget, so you can rest assured that you’ll all get a great deal out of the experience.
5. Create a scrumptious, multi-course meal with Cucina Migrante
Collaborative cooking is an ideal way to bond with teammates. It requires strong communication, effective teamwork, and equal sharing of responsibilities. All these factors and more make it a powerfully effective team building strategy.
Try one of Cucina Migrante’s team cooking classes, where you’ll create three meals from scratch using local and seasonal ingredients. Not to mention, your group can even enjoy a wine tasting along with each dish. And there’s also the option of a chef’s table and painting night, where you’ll partake in a four-course dinner and have a blast painting with the guidance of an instructor.
Consider inviting the team to this private East Village lounge with a kitchen for a spacious and atmospheric setting ideal for cooking and dining.
6. Enjoy fun and games at Invasion Laser Tag
Fast-paced, playful activities like laser tag aren’t just a ton of fun (although, of course, that’s undeniably true). They’re also an ideal way to foster connection within a group of people. That’s why we strongly recommend a trip to Invasion Laser Tag as one of our top team building ideas in San Diego.
Laser tag is an awesome choice for group bonding because it really brings everyone together. It’s all about teamwork — coming up with strategies and communicating clearly can make or break your game. Plus, it’s super inclusive, so everyone from any fitness level or age can jump right in and have a good time.
It’s also a fabulous way to stir up some friendly competition without getting too serious. Everyone loves the thrill of chasing and dodging in the arena, which is a great way to shake off stress and just laugh with your teammates.
And the best part? The memories you make. There’s nothing like bonding over zapping your manager with a laser to bring a team closer. No matter if you’re winning or just running around, you’re guaranteed to leave with some great stories.
7. Use your brain power at Brainy Actz Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are a natural choice for a team building event because achieving their shared goal necessitates lots of critical thinking, effective dialogue, and clever cooperation. Brainy Actz offers some of San Diego’s best escape rooms, incorporating a variety of themes: Mystery at the Lost Point Lodge, the Lost Jungle Safari, and the Great Carnival Challenge.
They’re highly rated, having received TripAdvisor’s 2017 Certificate of Excellence and near-perfect reviews on Yelp. Escape rooms are a top pick for team building because they’re just plain fun and super engaging. Everyone gets to dive into a themed adventure where teamwork is key.
Look forward to solving puzzles and cracking codes together, which means plenty of talking, strategizing, and laughing. It’s all about collaboration, as everyone brings different skills to the table.
8. Play rewarding games with AdVenture Games Inc.
AdVenture Games Inc. offers you and your team a range of immersive experiences that promote teamwork. For instance, they offer geolocation scavenger hunts, summer camp-like experiences, escape room activities, reality show competitions, and more.
You can also choose in-person or virtual experiences since AdVenture Games offers both types of team building activities in San Diego. This is one of our favorite options for teams looking for a modern twist on the classic team building experience.
9. Compete in a boat race with Pacifica Sailing Charters
Pacifica Sailing Charters Team Challenge is a three-hour sailing regatta that allows groups of six sailors per yacht to learn about sailing, then apply their new skills with a sailing race against other teams. Teamwork is crucial as each group, fueled by the thrill of competition, attempts to win the race!
And if you’ve got a larger team, there are also larger boats that can accommodate them. Your options are pretty extensive with Pacifica.
10. Absorb breathtaking sights with La Jolla Kayak
Another water-based team building idea in San Diego: kayaking! Nature lovers will especially appreciate a team building tour with La Jolla Kayak, during which they’ll get to explore the famous coastal caves of La Jolla by kayak, witnessing the diverse marine life populating the area.
Working together with teammates to paddle their kayaks, your group will leave with a greater appreciation for both nature and for their relationships with one another! After your kayak adventure, head to this modern event space with skyline views in downtown SD for dinner, drinks, and fun.
Check out these fun office party ideas for when you and your crew head back to the workspace!
11. Paint the town — and your colleagues — at Velocity Paintball
Looking for a more structured team building experience? You’ll enjoy the variety of paintball games offered by Velocity Paintball as part of their team building exercises. They’re one of the best paintball locations in the area. For instance, they use low-impact paintballs, which are easier to dodge and shoot and less painful when you get hit.
Paintball is a fantastic choice for group bonding because it’s action-packed and full of excitement. It gets everyone outdoors and moving, which is a great way to break the usual routine. The game requires teamwork and strategy, pushing groups to plan and execute together. This not only improves communication but also helps build trust as teammates cover and support each other.
12. Experience the city from a different POV with San Diego Sky Tours
This San Diego team building idea is one of the greatest ways to get perspective, period — literally seeing the world from an aerial perspective. San Diego Sky Tours hosts sky tours, as well as combat activities for a more challenging experience. Either way, your employees aren’t likely to forget a trip as exciting as this one!
13. Activate the creative side of your brain with Painting & Vino
The day-to-day work of many offices involves lots of left-brain thinking: logical, linear, and methodical. But creativity is so important to innovating and making real progress in the workplace. That’s why taking a break to use your right brain — the creative side of your brain — is such a valuable use of time.
To achieve this, try bringing your team together for a night of painting at Painting & Vino. They can also accommodate larger groups and even host online events. That way, you can paint and sip with the help of virtual instructors from the comfort of your Peerspace venue in San Diego!
Team building activities in San Diego are better with Peerspace
As you can see, there are tons of exceptional team building activities available to your team in San Diego. And whether you want to engage in these activities on-site, then head to private Peerspace afterward to regroup or go virtual from an hourly rental, the option is yours. Either way, you’ll enjoy a sensational day with your team away from the office.
Plus, when you book a Peerspace, you can maximize your booking with the help of your venue’s host. These dedicated folks can also help you source any extras you need, like gourmet catering, A/V equipment, bar staff, etc. It’s a surefire way to help you focus on the task at hand: bonding with your team!
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