31 Best Team Building Activities in San Diego, CA

Here is our list of the best team building activities in San Diego, California.

Team building activities in San Diego are a great way to encourage innovation and bonding amongst teams. Examples include scavenger hunts, escape rooms, and paintball. The purpose of these activities is to bring team members together for a fun activity outside to strengthen workplace relationships. These events are also known as “team building activities in San Diego” and “team bonding activities in San Diego.”

These events are similar to corporate event ideas in San Diego and group activities in San Diego.

This list includes:

• Fun San Diego team events
• San Diego team building activities
• Team building events in San Diego
• Corporate activities in San Diego

In categories like:

• Indoor activities
• Outdoor activities
• Unique activities
• Cooking classes and food tours
• Free team building ideas

Here we go!

Indoor activities

Here are activities teams can do together indoors in San Diego.

1. The Great Guac Off™️

Location: Anywhere – Travels to You
Price: $

The Great Guac Off is one of the most fun San Diego team events, with over 1,323 reviews from teams at companies like Amazon, HelloFresh, YouTube, and hundreds more.

In this 90-minute experience, your team will first connect through fun icebreakers and mini-games where they can earn points towards secret ingredients. Then, finally, teams face off against other teams in an epic guacamole-making competition.

Here is how the event delivers a world-class team experience:

• A professional team to handle planning and logistics
• All the guacamole ingredients and chips for dipping
• Energetic teambuilding.com hosts to keep the event lively and engaging
• Mini-games designed to encourage full team participation
• Fast and seamless setup and cleanup by our team
• Fun group photos to capture the experience

Our team brings all the necessary ingredients to your preferred location and runs the best guacamole showdown you have ever seen.

Learn more about The Great Guac Off.

2. Escape Era

Location: Sorrento Valley
Price: $$

Escape Era is an appointment-only escape room with two themed rooms. The venue is owned, designed, and operated by longtime escape room enthusiasts and is known for its complex, challenging puzzles. Both rooms are available in expert-level difficulty, with one also available in beginner-level. Game masters will give unlimited hints in the form of riddles. Customers praise the high production value and the outstanding customer service. Games last for one hour and rooms can accommodate up to 10 players per game. These games are ideal for teams with escape room experience who are looking for a new challenge.

Learn more about Escape Era.

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3. Art Magic Creative Studio

Location: Bankers Hill
Price: $$$

​Art Magic Creative Studio runs team building art workshops. Specializing in epoxy resin art, fluid art, and intuitive painting, the studio offers projects visitors are unlikely to find at other crafting venues. The most popular experiences are the epoxy resin classes, where participants paint marbled ocean designs on wooden boards. Other interesting project options include geode coasters, pressed flowers in resin, and alcohol ink art. Class costs are slightly higher than average team art classes, however the projects are premium and high quality. The studio supplies all necessary materials and expert instruction.

Learn about Art Magic Creative Studio.

4. Anvio VR Park

Location: National City
Price: $$

Anvio VR Park is an advanced virtual reality venue. Using high-end VR technology, participants can move freely within a large play area, working together to complete cooperative, action-packed missions. The venue offers a variety of team-based experiences, including adventure, sci-fi, and survival scenarios, for groups of up to six players per session. Private bookings are available for corporate events, and larger teams can rotate through multiple sessions.

Check out Anvio VR Park of San Diego.

5. Cinema Escape Rooms

Location: Escondido (Nearby City)
Price: $$

Cinema Escape Rooms is a movie-themed escape room with three locations in Escondido and Los Almitos. Room themes revolve around popular TV shows and movies. Each room features Hollywood-style sets, interactive storylines, and challenging puzzles that require teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. There are eight different experiences available across all locations, and rooms fit up to 10 players. Games last for an hour. Private bookings are available, and the venue also has options for corporate events.

Check out Cinema Escape Rooms.

6. Axe Thro Co

Location: Kearny Mesa
Price: $$

Axe Thro Co is an axe-throwing venue with multiple lanes. The one and a half hour “Axeperience” includes dedicated coaches to guide participants through safety protocols and proper throwing techniques, followed by organized tournaments and playoffs. The facility accommodates groups ranging from 6 to 90 people and provides additional entertainment options such as pool tables, bean bags, and giant Jenga. To round out the experience, Axe Thro Co serves local draft beer, seltzers, and authentic Neapolitan pizza. Parking is available on-site, and reservations are recommended.

Check out Axe Thro Co.

7. Punchbowl Social

Location: East Village
Price: $ – $$

Punchbowl Social is an amusement center featuring bowling lanes, arcade games, karaoke rooms, ping pong, and other interactive games that encourage collaboration and friendly competition. Their bar specializes in craft cocktails, and the kitchen serves up a menu of elevated comfort foods like tacos, tots, and burgers, all of which are made from-scratch. Event organizers can choose from customizable group packages that include reserved spaces, food and drink options, and dedicated event staff to ensure a seamless experience. With a lively atmosphere and a convenient downtown location, Punchbowl Social provides a fun, social setting for corporate gatherings, office parties, and team outings.

Check out Punchbowl Social.

8. Corporate to Canvas

Location: Anywhere – Travels to You
Price: $$

​​​Corporate to Canvas leads painting team building events in San Diego. Each guided session aims to improve team dynamics while encouraging participants to get creative. One offering is a collaborative painting project that involves each team member painting and signing a section of a large mural. The “Painting Swap,” is another popular choice. This exercise is a painting version of telephone, where participants continually pass their canvas to the next person and continue painting. There are also more traditional paint and sip events available.

These sessions involve all materials needed to create the art, and an artist to facilitate the experience. Corporate to Canvas can travel to you or help you source a venue. These activities are available for groups of many sizes.

Learn about Corporate to Canvas.

Outdoor activities

Here are activities teams can do together outdoors in San Diego.

9. Field Day

Location: Anywhere – Travels to You
Price: $$

Field Day is a team tournament of outdoor games designed to boost collaboration and morale. Hosts will set up all the supplies needed to play outrageously fun games that will get your group communicating, working together, and embracing team spirit.

Here’s how the event supercharges team bonding:

• 90 minutes with a talented and skilled host
• Interactive games and activities that inspire teamwork and laughter
• fun team photos you can share anywhere

Success in these games depends on the team members’ strengths and skills working together. Examples of activities might include ring toss using Viking helmet horns and large-scale rock, paper, scissors games.

Learn more about Field Day.

10. USCD Challenge Course

Location: La Jolla
Price: $$

Organizers looking for corporate activities in San Diego often visit the UCSD Challenge Course. This course is an outdoor adventure-based team building facility located on the University of California, San Diego campus. The course features high and low rope elements, climbing structures, and problem-solving challenges designed to build communication, trust, and leadership skills. There are several customized programs led by experienced facilitators who can tailor activities to meet team goals such as collaboration, problem-solving, or resilience-building. Sessions range from half-day to full-day experiences, with options for ground-based initiatives or more physically demanding aerial challenges.

For more information on USCD’s Challenge Course.

11. Another Side Of San Diego Tours

Location: Various Locations
Price: $$ – $$$

Another Side Of San Diego Tours runs interactive sightseeing experiences and adventures across the city. Specializing in private and corporate tours, the company provides a variety of team building options, including Segway tours, food and wine experiences, scavenger hunts, hiking tours, and several coastal tours with beautiful views and photo ops. Each tour is professionally guided and customizable to fit group size, schedule, and specific interests. Event organizers can choose from curated packages that highlight San Diego’s top attractions, such as Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and La Jolla, or tailored experiences that foster teamwork and camaraderie. With high-quality service and a focus on memorable group outings, Another Side Of San Diego Tours offers a dynamic way for teams to connect while exploring the city.

Check out Another Side Of San Diego Tours.

12. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch (Seasonal)

Location: Carlsbad (Suburb)
Price: $

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is a 55-acre flower farm that provides a picturesque setting for team building events, corporate outings, and group gatherings. Open from early March through early May, the farm is known for its several gardens and fields of bright, beautiful rainbow flowers. The site has many attractions, including a flower maze, butterfly encounters, wagon rides, sculpture garden, and a greenhouse where visitors can participate in workshops. The venue also features picnic areas, an event space for meetings or receptions, and catering options.

Learn more about The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.

13. Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours

Location: Various Locations
Price: $ – $$

The Gaslamp Tour by Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours blends history, mystery, and storytelling. This guided walking tour takes groups through the city’s most haunted locations, sharing eerie legends and true crime stories while exploring one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods. Tours last between 90 and 120 minutes and visit between five and 25 locations, depending on the tour. This operator offers experiences like a haunted bar crawl, and a ghost-hunting activity where participants can learn tips from a real paranormal investigator. In addition to walking tours, bus tours are also available.

Check out Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours.

14. Velocity Paintball

Location: Ramona (Suburb)
Price: $$

Located in Ramona, Velocity Paintball is San Diego’s largest outdoor paintball park. The facility features multiple themed fields with bunkers, obstacles, and natural terrain that encourage strategic teamwork and friendly competition. Private group packages include equipment rentals, paint, referees, and safety briefings. Structured game formats like capture the flag or elimination rounds let teams take part in fun challenges that encourage communication and teamwork. Groups who make reservations will have a three hour slot for gameplay. This venue also features airsoft competitions for folks interested in playing without getting paint on them.

Learn more about Velocity Paintball.

15. LA Jolla Kayak

Location: La Jolla
Price: $

La Jolla Kayak offers guided kayaking tours through the scenic La Jolla Ecological Reserve. These tours take participants paddling along the coastline, exploring sea caves, and spotting marine life like sea lions, dolphins, and leopard sharks. On private group excursions, expert guides provide safety instruction and insights into the area’s natural beauty. Stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling add-on options are also available. Experiences last between 90 and 120 minutes, and corporate tours are available for groups of 20 people or more.

For more information on La Jolla Kayak.

16. San Diego Zoo

Location: Balboa Park
Price: $$

The San Diego Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in the US, and is a major tourist attraction in the city. In addition to its usual public offerings, the zoo has several team building activities available. For example, the Zooper Team Challenge is a scavenger hunt where teams collaborate to decipher clues leading to various habitats throughout the Zoo. Another option is the Botanical Tour, a 90-minute private guided bus tour highlighting the Zoo’s botanical gardens and diverse plant species, including an exclusive visit to the orchid house. The Zoo can also arrange guest appearances by animal ambassadors or private guided tours that give insights into wildlife ecosystems and conservation efforts. The length of these activities range from one to two hours. The minimum required group size to book these experiences is 25 people, and the maximum number of participants depends on the experience. The zoo asks for eight weeks notice to book these excursions.

There are also rentable meeting and event spaces that corporate groups can use, and catering options.

Learn more about team building at the San Diego Zoo.

Unique activities

For teams who want to shake up their routine, here are some of the most unique team building activities in San Diego.

17. San Diego Sand Castles

Location: Various Locations – Can Travel to You
Price: $$

San Diego Sand Castles runs professional sandcastle-building workshops on the city’s beautiful beaches. Led by expert sand sculptors, these San Diego team building activities teach groups how to design and build intricate sand structures. Instructors provide all necessary tools, and start each experience by demonstrating stacking techniques, architectural ideas, and professional tips and tricks. The lessons last three hours, and can accommodate parties of various sizes. Groups of 16 or more members can even book special team building experiences that include sand castle building competitions. With customizable options and some of the best beaches as a backdrop, San Diego Sand Castles delivers a unique and memorable experience for any team building event.

For more information on San Diego Sand Castles.

18. Superhero Academy

Location: Anywhere, Travels to You
Price: $$

Superhero Academy is one of the most creative team building events in Austin. In this energetic challenge, teams act as superheroes or supervillains, competing in mini-games to save the day. For example, teams dress up their team captain as a special superhero mascot, and players draw comics while balancing a whiteboard on their heads.

Here’s how it promotes team bonding:

• An engaging host and cohost who excel at keeping the group involved
• Comic-themed puzzles and physical challenges
• Activities that highlight individual skills and require teamwork
• Social deduction elements, as players try to identify the secret supervillains

Each task encourages the team to rely on each other’s strengths, showing the true power of collaboration and achieving impressive results.

Our team brings everything needed for the event to your location.

Learn more about Superhero Academy.

19. Fly With A Bird and Total Raptor Experience

Location: La Jolla
Price: $$$$

Fly With A Bird specializes in parahawking, an experience that involves paragliding with trained birds of prey, such as hawks, owls, and falcons. Before participants go up in the air, they spend an hour practicing safety precautions with a trained instructor, and learning about birds of prey, their natural behaviors, and the art of falconry. The tandem glider flight lasts 20 to 30 minutes, and the trained falcons spend about half the flight close to the glider. These events are best suited for smaller groups. While participants fly one at a time, the activity is sure to be a unique bonding experience for teams.

For groups who want to interact with the birds in a less extreme way, Total Raptor Experience, the falconer company, also offers on-the-ground classes and encounters.

For more information on Fly With a Bird and Total Raptor Experience.

20. Murder n’ Mayhem

Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Price: $ – $$

Murder n’ Mayhem runs interactive murder mystery events in San Diego. This operator offers several types of experiences, including murder mystery tours, scavenger hunts, and parties. Their tours include themes like true crime, ghosts, or history, and take participants to city locations that feature in scary, true stories. For parties or scavenger hunts, teams play through a mystery, working together to solve a fictional crime by piecing together clues, interrogating characters, and solving puzzles. Participants receive character roles, and interact with professional actors who help to drive the storyline.

The company can accommodate groups of two to 200+ members.

Learn about Murder n’ Mayhem.

21. Paint and Glow by Davina

Location: Balboa Park
Price: $ – $$

Paint and Glow by Davina is a small business that runs blacklight painting parties. Teams can travel to the studio and use glow in the dark paint to make neon paintings under a blacklight. The experience includes a smoke machine and mini-laser light show, and guests often praise host Davina’s bubbly personality. Teams that do not mind getting messy can even show up in white t-shirts and paint each other’s clothes, faces, and arms. Organizers can book this event by texting the owner to make arrangements.

Check out Paint and Glow by Davina.

Cooking classes and food tours

Here are team building ideas for foodies and group dining ideas in San Diego. Many of these activities can double as team dinners, lunches, snacks, or happy hours.

22. Wild Foodie Tours

Location: Various Locations
Price: $$

Wild Foodie Tours takes participants on culinary adventures through San Diego’s best food spots. These guided tours provide groups with the opportunity to explore local flavors, learn about the region’s food culture, and engage in hands-on cooking classes or tastings. Popular options include a farm-to-table experience, craft beer pairing, or a gourmet food stroll through historic districts. With knowledgeable guides sharing insights into each dish or drink, Wild Foodie Tours creates a fun and educational experience that helps groups bond and explore the city’s culinary scene.

Check out Wild Foodie Tours.

23. Cucina Migrante

Location: Golden Hill
Price: $$ – $$$

Cucina Migrante offers an authentic experience that brings the flavors of Italy to San Diego. These private, customizable events have a focus on high-quality, fresh ingredients and Italian cooking techniques. During cooking classes led by experienced chefs, participants work together to prepare traditionalItalian dishes, learning the art of pasta-making, pizza crafting, and more. The courses have an emphasis on “family-style” cooking and dining and encourage closeness between participants.

The company also hosts other experiences like aperitivo sunset cruises, Italian food tours around the city, wine tastings, and dinner and painting events.

Check out Cucina Migrante.

24. Brewery Tours of San Diego

Location: Various Locations
Price: $$$

Brewery Tours of San Diego showcases the best of the city’s craft beer scene. Participants visit several of the city’s top breweries, where they can sample unique beers, learn about the brewing process, and meet local brewers alongside a knowledgeable guide. Corporate event hours are available for groups of 10 to 500 people. With transportation provided, teams can enjoy the experience without worrying about logistics. Organizers can select the breweries they would like to visit from over two dozen options, or the operator can curate a tour. There are options to add food to the experience, as well as souvenir glasses.

Learn more about Brewery Tours of San Diego.

25. The Wine Voyage

Location: Anywhere – Travels to You
Price: $$ – $$$$

​The Wine Voyage hosts engaging wine and spirits experiences. Activities include the Blind Tasting Competition, where participants learn wine tasting basics before competing in a blind tasting challenge. The Perfect Blend Competition allows teams to create and judge their own wine blends. There is also a Tequila & Mezcal Experience, which explores Mexico’s renowned spirits through interactive tastings, as well as food and wine pairing sessions. Each experience is designed to strengthen relationships and encourage new connections among participants.

Learn about The Wine Voyage.

26. The Grand Tea Room

Location: Escondido (Suburb)
Price: $$

The Grand Tea Room is a full service tea room that specializes in high teas. Teams can enjoy two hour high teas served in courses, complete with premium teas, pastries, and an assortment of finger sandwiches. Groups can make reservations during normal business hours, and the venue can open exclusively on Sundays for groups of 20+ guests. The tea room also regularly partners with a local theatre company for performances paired with high teas. This shop is a cozy spot for teams to come to relax, connect, and enjoy treats together.

Learn more about The Grand Tea Room.

Free team building ideas

Here are some free team building activities you and your team can experience in San Diego.

27. Balboa Park

Location: Balboa Park
Price: Free

​Balboa Park is a large urban park known for its museums, gardens, and recreational facilities. Teams can visit the activity center to play badminton, table tennis, and volleyball. The park features various gardens, such as the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Alcazar Garden, offering serene environments for team discussions and relaxation. There are also often free community events such as folk dancing lessons and outdoor organ concerts that can provide your team with no-cost entertainment.

Learn more about Balboa Park.

28. Liberty Public Market

Location: Liberty Station
Price: Free

Liberty Public Market opened in 2016, and it was San Diego’s first seven-day-a-week public market. The market features 38 vendors, ranging from food to crafts to bars. Teams can roam through the food hall, people-watch, or relax in the garden. The surrounding art district has many galleries and studios teams can explore before or after their visit.

The market also hosts regular events, like beer bingo, Cartoon Network trivia, and dog adoption events.

Learn more about Liberty Public Market.

29. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Location: Point Loma
Price: Free

At Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, teams can enjoy a scenic walk along the coastal bluffs, taking in breathtaking ocean views and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The park’s open space provides plenty of opportunities for group activities, such as nature walks or team photo challenges. The peaceful atmosphere encourages collaboration and connection, making it an ideal spot for teams to relax, bond, and engage in outdoor activities together, all while enjoying the natural beauty of the cliffs and coastline.

Learn more about Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.

30. Gaslamp Quarter

Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Price: Free

​The Gaslamp Quarter is a neighborhood known for its hip atmosphere and historic architecture. Over 200 restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shops call this district home. There is plenty of public art to explore as teams walk the streets, and performers often set up in this area. At night, groups can enjoy seeing the streets lit up and busy with people. Community events also happen quite frequently, many of which are free.

Learn more about Gaslamp Quarter.

31. Little Italy

Location: Little Italy
Price: Free

Exploring Little Italy is a cost-effective option for team building. Teams can wander the vibrant streets, enjoy the local culture, and take in the sights like the beautiful Piazza della Famiglia or the weekly farmers’ market. Leaders can organize a group scavenger hunt or simply walk around with their groups, talking and exploring the area. The area also hosts many events, like festivals and concerts.

Learn more about San Diego’s Little Italy.

Conclusion

San Diego’s stunning weather and coastal location offer endless possibilities for memorable team building activities. Whether your team thrives outdoors or prefers more relaxed settings, the city’s diverse landscapes provide the perfect backdrop. The key is to plan a unique experience to your team’s unique interests and personalities, ensuring that everyone is engaged in an environment that suits them best. With so many fun, connecting activities and events to choose from, you will surely be able to plan a San Diego team outing that will leave your team feeling refreshed and connected to their coworkers.

Next, check out company outing ideas in San Diego.

How We Select Activities

At teambuilding.com, our process for selecting activities is grounded in research to find the best team building experiences across major U.S. cities like San Diego. Our choices are independent, not influenced by affiliate marketing or sponsored content. Although we might include events from teambuilding.com or our partners, we ensure they add true value to the list.

The content team searches a large variety of topics like “San Diego team building events”, “team bonding in San Diego”, and “San Diego group activities”, then we filter the results to only show you the best. We consider reviews customer feedback, engagement patterns, and key factors like variety, budget, location, and group size. We aim to feature both well-known favorites and unique finds, focusing on smaller businesses with fewer than 30 locations to deliver a more intimate and high-quality experience.

With years of experience organizing events for more than 45,000 teams and 1 million participants, we know how to choose activities that build teamwork, encourage meaningful connections, and offer flexible formats. From interactive challenges to creative workshops, our goal is to recommend activities that inspire and bond teams.

Price Guide:

We’ve included price points for every entry on this list so that readers can easily find activities within their team building budgets.

Here is a breakdown of our pricing tiers in these lists:

$ – $1-25

$$ – $25-100

$$$ – $101-200

$$$$ – $200+