31 Best Team Building Activities in San Diego, CA for 2025
With its warm, sunny weather and oceanfront location, it’s hardly a surprise that team building activities in San Diego are some of the most enviable corporate events in the entire country. This Southern California metropolis ranks as one of the United States’ most visited cities, boasting gorgeous beaches, a delicious culinary scene and a number of colorful neighborhoods.
Thanks to its numerous activities and picture-perfect weather, there are few better places for team building activities than San Diego. Whether you’re leading a corporate retreat or simply want to take the office out for a fun night out on the town, San Diego is sure to fit the bill.
Need some help planning your next team building event? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the best team building activities in San Diego to help get you started.
Jump to Section
- Fun Group Activities & Corporate Team Building in San Diego
- Does My Team Actually Need Team Building?
- Will Team Building Help Grow My Business?
- How Do I Find a Team Building Activity That Works for My Team?
- Additional Benefits to Team Building
- Team Building Is Worth It
- Team Building in More Cities Near You
Fun Group Activities & Corporate Team Building in San Diego
1. Culinary Team Building Activities in San Diego
From hiring private chefs in San Diego to organizing hands-on classes and gourmet tastings, team building activities in San Diego help your group bond over a shared culinary experience. No matter their tastes or preferences, colleagues will love spending time together in the kitchen while honing their communication, problem-solving and time-management skills.
Five-star instructors are skilled not only in cooking but also in team facilitation. In other words, they'll ensure that your team building activity in San Diego brings your whole group together over the shared experience of a gourmet meal.
Price: From $89 per person
Group Size: 10-30
2. Take a Cooking Class
The City in Motion might be home to numerous world-class restaurants, but like anywhere, nothing beats homemade food. If you’d like to treat your team to some seriously delicious bites, why not center your San Diego team building activity around a San Diego cooking class with one of the city's top chefs?
There are a wide variety of classes available, including courses that cater to specific diets or explore international cuisines. This means that you’re sure to find means of team building in San Diego, CA that the whole team can get behind.
Price: From $89 per person
Group Size: 10-30
3. Online Culinary Team Building Activities
If your team includes some out-of-towners and telecommuters, then group things to do in San Diego may seem out of reach. Fortunately, it's easy to include them in the fun with online team building activities. These virtual team building activities in San Diego can be done from anywhere, making them perfect for teams with long-distance colleagues who can’t get together in person.
Learn cooking tips from the best chefs in the world with online cooking classes or nail down your craft cocktail-making in online mixology classes. Tastings are another fun way for remote teams to bond, with virtual wine tastings putting a unique spin on the typical office happy hour.
Price: From $29 per person
Group Size: Any
4. Take On the UCSD Challenge Course
Adventure courses are one of the most classic team building activities in San Diego, and for good reason. In order to succeed, they demand communication and teamwork. The UCSD Challenge Course takes this concept to the extreme by suspending groups 45 feet in the air and having them work together to overcome obstacles.
Think your team might be afraid of heights? No problem! This San Diego team building activity provider also has plenty of ground-based pursuits for you and your team to try.
Price: Quote Upon Request
Group Size: Any
5. Go Surfing
As the area boasts an astonishing 70 miles of pristine beaches, it should come as no surprise that surfing is one of the most popular team building activities in San Diego. There are numerous surf schools in San Diego offering group lessons, which will teach your team the basics of paddling and catching a wave. No matter what the surf is like, few team building activities in San Diego compare to spending time out on the majestic Pacific Ocean.
Price: $95 - $155 per person (varies by provider)
Group Size: 3-5 per 1 instructor (varies by provider)
6. Take on an Escape Room
If you’re looking for team building activities in San Diego to get your crew thinking outside of the box, an escape room could be just the ticket. This activity encourages your group to communicate, collaborate and problem-solve as they work against the clock to escape.
Escapology in San Diego has plenty of rooms to choose from, with a variety of themes and exciting challenges. In other words, this is a team activity in San Diego that your group will be talking about for months.
Price: $55-60 per person (reduced rates per person for larger groups)
Group Size: 6-8
7. Visit Little Italy
One of San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods, a trip to Little Italy makes a great team building activity in San Diego for those wanting to wine and dine their way through the San Diego food scene. This trendy area is home to many popular bars, breweries and boutiques, as well as (you guessed it) plenty of delicious Italian restaurants.
Price: Free
Group Size: Any
8. Attend Concerts and Yoga Classes at The Rady Shell
An architectural wonder on the edge of Downtown, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park offers a state-of-the-art concert venue that’s known for hosting exceptional live music experiences. Attending a concert together here — in one of the city’s most beautiful settings — is a great team building activity in San Diego, allowing everybody to let their hair down.
Fancy taking it into the weekend? If so, there’s also a regular schedule of free (yes, we said free!) yoga classes, hosted by Fit Athletic.
This relaxing team activity in San Diego is ideal for de-stressing, bringing your crew together outside of work and allowing them to breathe the sea air and detox from the work week. Team building activities in San Diego are as much about nurturing your team as they are creating a stronger workforce, and this one promises to set them up for a healthy, relaxing weekend.
Price: Tickets vary by concert (yoga classes are free)
Group Size: Any
9. Embark on a Day Trip to Tijuana
If your team considers itself adventurous, then a day trip to Tijuana could be the perfect team building activity in San Diego for you. Located just across the U.S.-Mexico border, Tijuana is home to a number of interesting museums, popular nightclubs and bustling markets, making a trip here a fun group activity for San Diego teams looking to enjoy a variety of things to do.
Costs for this San Diego team building activity will vary depending on the tour you choose, as will the maximum group size. Fortunately, there are plenty of Tijuana tours from San Diego to choose from. Just don’t forget to check that everyone on the team has a valid passport!
Price: Varies by experience
Group Size: Any
10. Set Sail at the Maritime Museum of San Diego
If your team has an interest in the City in Motion’s maritime history, then this team building activity in San Diego could be for you. With a worldwide reputation for its work in restoring, maintaining and even operating historic ships, the Maritime Museum of San Diego has one of the world’s finest collections.
Book a group tour and explore the many intriguing exhibits inside the museum. Alternatively, if your crew’s feeling extra adventurous, the museum also offers fun group activities in San Diego for those who want to climb aboard and set sail. A range of On the Water Adventures allow you and your team to hop aboard an historic ship and set sail — you can even take part in the sailing on some!
Price: $35 per guest for museum group tours (On the Water Adventure prices vary by experience)
Group Size: Any
11. Try Indoor Skydiving
Not everyone has the stomach for real skydiving, but nearly everyone can enjoy indoor skydiving in a safe, controlled environment. This unique team building activity in San Diego uses a giant fan to gently suspend divers in mid-air, offering a thrilling sense of weightlessness. iFly is one of the city's best indoor skydiving facilities, and it offers numerous group packages designed specifically for San Diego corporate team building events.
If this team building activity in San Diego sounds like your team’s idea of fun, private sessions for groups of up to 13 cost around $1,150. This includes gear rental, one-on-one instruction, a flight photo and video for each participant and more.
Price: $1,150
Group Size: Up to 13
12. Share the Joy of Food at Liberty Public Market
A visit to Liberty Public Market is a superb team building activity in San Diego for groups that share a love of great food and drink. Peruse the myriad vendors and take your pick from an array of cuisines, before grabbing a table on the patio and tucking in. As group things to do in San Diego go, this food-centric activity is one of the best for bonding over the simple pleasure of good food.
Price: Market entry is free (food prices vary by vendor)
Group Size: Any
13. Sail on the Pacific
What team building activity in San Diego could be better than hitting the open water and watching the sunset with a delicious cocktail in hand? You may be surprised to learn that organizing a group sailing or yachting experience is easier than you’d think!
Numerous companies offer private charter experiences out on the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Sail San Diego, for example, offers charters for groups of all sizes looking to enjoy an ocean-bound team building activity in San Diego.
Price: From $450
Group Size: Any
14. Soak up Some Culture at the San Diego Museum of Art
Are you looking for San Diego team building ideas that’ll inspire creativity in your team? Whether you have a big project on the horizon or have just wrapped one up and need a boost, where better to find it than at the San Diego Museum of Art?
A visit here is the perfect group thing to do in San Diego for culture vultures, providing your crew with the opportunity to think critically about the work on display and discuss their thoughts. In doing so, they’ll sharpen their communication skills and develop a feeling of comfort when expressing their thoughts with colleagues. What more could you want from a team building activity in San Diego?
Price: $20 per person
Group Size: Any
15. Relax in Balboa Park
At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of California’s biggest urban parks. This makes it a great place to enjoy an array of team building activities in San Diego.
The park is home to 16 museums, as well as themed gardens, walking trails and live entertainment venues. Whether your group wants to spend some quality time outdoors, learn more about San Diego’s culture and history or catch a concert, Balboa Park has your San Diego team building activity needs covered.
Price: Park entry is free
Group Size: Any
16. Enjoy a Wine Tasting at Pali Wine Co.
How often do you and your team wax lyrical about the bottle of wine you’re going to open just as soon as you get home? Well, why not thank them for a job well done and enjoy the experience together? A wine tasting at Little Italy’s Pali Wine Co. is a team building activity in San Diego that promises to help everyone relax after a busy week and enjoy that hotly anticipated first sip together.
Wine flights feature five delicious pours. Throw in a tempting food menu (think generous sharing boards and decadent slices of Basque cheesecake) and you have an idea for team building in San Diego, CA that everyone's sure to get behind.
Price: $30-35 per person (wine flights only)
Group Size: Any
17. Visit the San Diego Zoo
Widely considered one of the best zoos on the planet, a trip to the San Diego Zoo is a great team building activity in San Diego for those who love animals. Located in Balboa Park, tickets to visit San Diego Zoo cost around $74 per adult. Home to dozens and dozens of animals, including perennial favorites like polar bears, orangutans and koalas, it’s worth every cent.
Each exhibit is carefully crafted to mimic the animal’s natural habitat as closely as possible. It’s a model for zoos around the world, making a trip here one of the best team building activities in San Diego to help employees bond over a shared love of the natural world.
Price: $74 per person
Group Size: Any
18. Saddle Up and Go Horseback Riding
Imagine scouting for dolphins and whales in the bay from the back of a horse. That’s precisely what this team building activity in San Diego offers. With professional guides from Surfside Ranch leading you on a range of adventures, be it along the beach or through the stunning local countryside, this San Diego team building idea is one your team is sure to love.
Costs for this team building activity in San Diego vary depending on the duration of your experience. The ranch’s Western Town venue is also available to hire and is perfect for a western themed team building after-party.
Price: From $85 per person, per ride (Western Town venue hire from $250)
Group Size: Any
19. Check out the USS Midway Museum
Home to several military bases, San Diego has always had a close relationship with the U.S. Armed Forces. If your team is interested in military or naval history, a trip to the USS Midway Museum is a no-brainer group activity in San Diego.
During the 20th century, the USS Midway was one of the most active aircraft carriers in the world. In 2004, it was converted into a naval museum, and it has grown into one of the world’s most popular military museums.
If you’re considering a trip here for your next team building activity in San Diego, good choice! You and your group can explore a range of exhibits and attractions, including a flight simulator, a holographic movie theater and displays detailing the numerous movies and TV shows that have been shot on the Midway.
Price: $32 per person
Group Size: Any
20. Take a Glassblowing Class
Fire your team up with this creative and unique team building activity in San Diego. Perfect for up to six people, glassblowing workshops at Art Glass Guild cost between $65 and $95 per person, depending on the items you want to make.
Choose from themes like ornaments, drinking glasses and even small vases. Why not make this San Diego team building activity competitive and give the best creation pride of place in the office break room?
Price: $65 - $95
Group Size: Up to 6
21. Go Whale Watching
Thanks to its warm and protected waters, San Diego is one of the few places in the world where you can catch a glimpse of a whale in the wild at any time of year. Book one of a whale watching tour with Newport Whales for your next team building activity in San Diego and you’ll have the chance to see several species of whale and dolphin, including the massive blue whale and the gnarled Risso dolphin.
Costs and allowable group sizes will vary depending on the tour you choose. Fortunately, there are plenty of options, making it easy to book this team building activity in San Diego however large or small your team is.
Price: From $20 per person
Group Size: Any
22. Gather Around the Bonfire
As the sun goes down on a day of team building activities in San Diego, take the chance to relax together with sand between your toes, roasting s’mores around the bonfire. Perfect for groups of up to 10, Bayside Bonfires offers basic and classic bonfire packages, costing $200 and $300 respectively.
Both feature a fire pit and wood, plus a fire attendant, beach chairs and tables. You’ll also get bottled water and a s’mores kit. The classic package adds market lighting to this San Diego team building activity, creating a relaxing ambience that’s perfect for teams to reflect on the day.
Price: $200 - $300
Group Size: Up to 10
23. Hit the Links
Even if your team doesn’t have the skill to play a full round at one of the city’s many incredible public golf courses, there are plenty of options to ensure everybody enjoys this activity.
Footgolf, for example, has become increasingly popular in recent years. Based on the same idea as regular golf, instead of swinging a club at a golf ball, you kick a soccer ball towards the flag instead. Sounds like fun? If so, there are some great footgolf courses to host your team building activity in San Diego.
Simply draw names out of a hat and break into teams, before teeing, kicking or throwing off. Afterward, the team with the lowest score (yes, we said lowest!) wins the day. You could even offer a prize, although bragging rights are often enough for those with a competitive spirit.
Price: Varies by venue
Group Size: Any
24. Go to a Padres Game
Team building activities in San Diego often include sports, and no wonder. The city takes them seriously, and few teams enjoy as much support as the San Diego Padres. Active from March through September (or later if they make the playoffs), the Padres play several dozen home MLB games throughout the year, perfect if you need flexibility when planning your team building activity in San Diego.
Their home is Petco Park, a stunning Downtown field with phenomenal views of San Diego’s skyline. With newly renovated suites and hospitality spaces also available for groups, this San Diego team building activity is sure to be a home run.
Price: Varies by game and hospitality venue.
Group Size: Discounts for groups of 20+
25. Head to Belmont Park
A beachfront amusement park that has operated since the 1960s, Belmont Park has developed into one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. Admission to the park and the beach is free, perfect if you’re looking for team building activities in San Diego on a budget.
The rides themselves require a ticket, but it’s worth it. Ride and Play passes add a new level of excitement to this team building activity in San Diego.
Price: Park entry is free (ride and play passes $45-55 per person)
Group Size: Up to 30
26. Race for Pole Position at K1 Speed
Whether you’re celebrating the completion of a big project or simply looking to blow off some steam, this team building activity in San Diego offers a chance for your crew to leave everything out on the track.
Team building activities in San Diego for groups of up to 30 are easily accommodated at K1 Speed. As well as full-throttle racing, your crew can split into teams and take on the ball challenge relay. Promoting focus and concentration, each team tries to navigate the course with a ball loosely mounted on the front of their karts. The first team that crosses the finish line with all three members and their ball wins.
Alternatively, try the pit crew challenge — assigning four members from each team to replace the wheels on their kart as quickly as possible. This is a great team building activity in San Diego for elevating communication skills, boosting team spirit and encouraging problem solving.
Price: Quote upon request
Group Size: Up to 30
27. Visit the Gaslamp Quarter
The next recommendation on our list of team building activities in San Diego is a trip to the Gaslamp Quarter. As the city’s historic center, it’s home to numerous delicious restaurants and lively bars that have operated for decades, as well as a number of historical sites.
Price: Free (food and drink varies by venue)
Group Size: Any
28. Plan an Evening at Punch Bowl Social
Head to Punch Bowl Social and discover a venue where team building activities in San Diego combine scratch-made food and craft cocktails with games and entertainment like bowling, bocce ball, arcade games and even karaoke. The venue is always happy to handle the details of your event, allowing you to focus on what’s important — having fun!
As your team competes against one another with the host of games available, they’ll strengthen bonds, sharpen their collaborative skills and ready themselves to take on anything that work throws at them. It’s one of those team building activities in San Diego that’s sure to leave everybody feeling like a winner.
Price: Varies by game (venue hire quote on request)
Group Size: Any
29. Torrey Pines
Located just north of the city, the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of California’s largest and best-preserved coastal parklands, making it a scenic place to host your next team building activity in San Diego.
This stunning natural wildland features miles of undisturbed beaches, various trails for walking (whether you want to merely stretch your legs or take on a challenging hike) and a well-equipped nature center. Torrey Pines is also home to numerous animal and plant species, including the eponymous and endangered Torrey Pine, making a trip to the park a fantastic team building activity in San Diego for those who love the outdoors.
Price: Free
Group Size: Any
30. Go on a Brewery Tour
Over the last two decades, San Diego has grown into one of America’s preeminent beer cities. These days, dozens of breweries dot the city, and exploring them is one of the most popular team building activities in San Diego.
Various companies in San Diego offer brewery tours, like Hotshots, which claims to provide the best in the city. Whichever operator you choose, this team building activity in San Diego provides a great way for your team to let its hair down.
The cost will depend on the package you choose and the number of people on your team. Regardless, you’re sure to enjoy some of the best brews this side of the Mississippi with this fun San Diego corporate team building trip.
Price: Varies by package, guest list and tour provider
Group Size: Any
31. Stop by the Embarcadero
Though many San Diego locals know the Embarcadero primarily as a cruise ship port, it’s also home to a number of chic boutiques and restaurants serving some of the best seafood in San Diego, making a stop here a great team building activity in San Diego for foodies.
One of the Embarcadero’s most unique sites to take your team to is The Headquarters. Formerly the central command station for the city police, this unique structure now hosts a number of upscale restaurants, bars and shops.
Price: Free
Group Size: Any
Does My Team Actually Need Team Building?
At first glance, it can be difficult to justify team building activities in San Diego. After all, they typically take place outside of the office, and they don’t often relate directly to a company’s line of work. Why should an employer spend time and money on an event that’s just for fun?
If you look a bit closer, however, you’ll find that organizing some team building activities in San Diego is actually highly beneficial for nearly every business. By giving your employees a chance to strengthen their relationships, they’ll be more communicative, trusting and cooperative back at the office. The best team building activities will help your company work better together, an investment that’s always worth it.
Will Team Building Help Grow My Business?
There are two surefire ways to grow any business: work harder and work smarter. Taking time to plan team building activities in San Diego falls into the second category. By giving your team space to deepen their bonds and have a bit of fun, you’ll improve their efficiency back at the office. This equates to less conflict, better collaboration and an all-around way to boost morale.
Numerous studies have shown the importance of employee happiness. The University of Oxford found that happy employees are 13% more productive than unhappy ones. Team building activities in San Diego will help you foster a strong sense of community, which makes employees want to contribute more to your company’s growth.
How Do I Find a Team Building Activity That Works for My Team?
When selecting a team building activity in San Diego, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:
Inclusivity
Make sure you choose a team building activity in San Diego that appeals to everyone. Keep in mind your employee’s physical limitations, dietary restrictions and cultural preferences.
Timing
It’s important to consider the timeframe for your team building activity in San Diego — after all, there won’t be much bonding if half the team can’t make it! Pay special attention to team members with children, second jobs or other external commitments.
Enjoyability
Let’s face it: classic team building activities in San Diego, like a trust fall or a corporate retreat, can only be so much fun and may not be the best for employee engagement. Think outside of the box when planning a team building event in San Diego!
Just because the activity isn’t specifically labeled as “team building” doesn’t mean it’s not a good choice. Consider the kinds of things you like to do in your free time and whether they’d be an appropriate choice for your team.
Additional Benefits to Team Building
Team building benefits businesses in countless ways, including:
Building a community
Team building activities in San Diego (or anywhere, for that matter) offer the opportunity for employees to socialize with coworkers who they don’t collaborate closely with in the office. This builds a stronger sense of community, which improves morale and boosts employee retention.
Time management
Many team building activities in San Diego, including virtual team building activities, challenge participants to complete a task in a certain amount of time. These types of activities build time management and prioritization skills, which reflect back at the office.
Having fun
Life’s not all about work! After all, what’s the point of building a company if your employees hate working there? Reward them with a bit of time to relax and have fun every now and then.
Team Building Is Worth It
As you can see, there are countless reasons to sign your team up for fun team building activities in San Diego. These events improve your team’s efficiency and communication by strengthening their friendships and challenging them to work together in novel ways. Not only that, but they’re a fun reward for the team members themselves.
No matter what industry you work in, your group can benefit from team building. And if you're lucky enough to call America’s Finest City home, the options for inclusive, engaging and productive team building activities in San Diego are close to endless.
Team Building in More Cities Near You
For even more great team building inspiration in cities near you and around the U.S., check out some of our other comprehensive guides:
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in San Francisco
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Los Angeles
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Orange County
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Portland
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Las Vegas
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
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