Updated: July 11, 2022

22 Top Company Outing ideas in San Jose, CA

Here is our list of the best company outing ideas in San Jose, California.

Company outing ideas in San Jose are team building activities that you can engage your team in the San Jose region. Examples include a team tour to the Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive, and Santana Row. The purpose of these activities is to encourage collaboration in your workforce and improve work performance. These outings will also help retain top talent and promote innovativeness among your workforce.

These activities are examples of team bonding ideas and in-person versions of virtual team outings. The ideas are similar to San Jose corporate events and team building events in San Jose.

This list includes:

  • group outing ideas for adults in San Jose, CA
  • team building outings in San Jose, California
  • work team outings in San Jose
  • corporate outings in San Jose

Here we go!

List of company outing ideas in San Jose

San Jose is one of the biggest cities in the U.S and North California in terms of territorial area and population. The city, notable for its cultural diversity, innovation, sunny climate, and affluence, offers teams tons of outing options. From Municipal Rose Garden to San Jose Improv and Mount Hermon Adventures, here is a list of the best company outing ideas that you can engage your team in San Jose.

1. Bank Heist

If you are looking for investigative group outing ideas for adults in San Jose, then you will enjoy Bank Heist. Participants will work as a team to solve a brazen theft in this team building activity. Participants will unveil how the thieves got past the world-class security technology and the bank’s security personnel. Each team player’s input will be essential in helping to discover who is responsible for the theft. You will watch participants race against time to solve challenges and puzzles before the gang gets away for good.

Learn more about Bank Heist.

2. Superhero Academy

Superhero Academy banner

Superhero Academy is a 90-minute team building activity where participants will step into a real-life comic book. The host will divide your workforce into smaller teams of four to eight participants. Then, the fun host will lead your team through challenges and puzzles that will engage all participants.

Learn more about Superhero Academy.

3. Pride Trivia

Pride Trivia banner

Pride Trivia is an excellent idea if you are wondering how best to celebrate pride with your workforce. A team of LGBTQ+ hosts will share knowledge that will inspire acceptance and foster inclusion in your company as attendees bond and have a great time. Pride Trivia is a celebratory and educational team building activity that reflects the true experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. The event is also available in various themes for cultural holidays like Jewish Heritage Month and Black History Month.

Learn more about Pride Trivia.

4. Espionage!

Espionage! banner

Espionage! is a social deduction activity where participants will work as a team to unveil the spies among them. In this 90-minute event, the host will assign each participant a vital role for the entire team to win. Then, the host will lead groups through a series of challenges and puzzles that will enable participants to uncover the double agents. This event is available in in-person and virtual versions.

Learn more about Espionage!.

5. Mix n’ Mingle

Mix n’ Mingle tops the list of team building outings in San Jose that you can use to strengthen relationships in your workforce. For 90 minutes, a fun host will take your team through highly interactive activities encouraging attendees to collaborate, connect, and talk. You can also use Mix n’ Mingle to introduce new workers to your team. Mix n’ Mingle will promote networking and create deeper bonds among attendees.

Learn more about Mix n’ Mingle.

6. Minute Madness

minute madness

Minute Madness is a non-mundane activity that requires attendees to get out of their comfort zone and partake in physical challenges. For 60 minutes, you will watch participants race against time to earn points for their team in the 60-second activities. For maximum engagement, get an outdoor space since Minute Madness involves energetic physical challenges. You can also request the host tailor your event according to your team’s personality.

Learn more about Minute Madness.

7. Hidden Stripey Guy

Hidden Stripey Guy is one of the most interactive scavenger hunts to engage your team. In searching for the Hidden Stripey Guy, your team will re-explore a neighborhood or explore a new city. In the process, team members will learn more about each other and form fun memories. This team building activity will also teach your workforce teamwork, friendly competition, and problem-solving skills.

Learn more about Hidden Stripey Guy.

8. The Art of Storytelling

The Art of Storytelling is one of the best work team outings in San Jose that you can use to upgrade your team’s communication skills. A team of expert storytellers such as actors, academics, and comedians will teach your team skills for crafting and delivering compelling narratives. The Art of Storytelling activity is a professional development workshop that will help your workers with vital skills applicable at work and in their personal lives.

Learn more about The Art of Storytelling.

9. Winchester Mystery House

If you want to experience a bizarre mansion, then the Winchester Mystery House is the best outing option in San Jose. The house has interesting peculiarities that will interest your team. Through the displays and exhibits, your team will learn the history of the Winchester rifle. The four-storied house has 160 rooms, including 40 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 40 staircases, and six kitchens. Other peculiar features include 10,000 window panes, 40 staircases, 47 fireplaces, 52 skylights, and only one shower.

Attendees who want a spiritual and paranormal experience can try the walk with the spirits house tour. Participants will experience the dark basement home to the wheelbarrow ghost and the Victorian morning rituals. Besides touring the peculiar architectural piece, your team can partake in a competitive axe throwing team building activity at the stables. Attendees can also partake in Houdini’s Spirited Escape, where participants will solve the mystery and escape within 30 minutes.

Learn more about Winchester Mystery House or experience the house virtually with Ghost Hunt in the Haunted Mansion.

10. Municipal Rose Garden

The Municipal Rose Garden is a historic garden exclusively dedicated to roses. Featuring over 3,500 shrubs from 189 rose varieties, the garden boasts of being America’s best rose garden. The Municipal Rose Garden also has a reflection pool, garden vases, miniature rose beds, and a two-tiered water fountain. Participants will enjoy the colorful showy blooms and the green lawns. You can also visit the garden for a team picnic outing and enjoy the barbeque amenities. However, be sure to arrive early since the picnic areas are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Learn more about Municipal Rose Garden.

11. San Jose Center of Performing Arts

If you are looking for corporate outings in San Jose for large groups, then San Jose Center for the Performing Arts is a must-try. The 2,608-seating theatre is home to the Broadway San Jose and the San Jose Dance Theatre. The venue offers major performances like Broadway musicals, symphonies, and orchestra concerts with excellent acoustics and comfortable seating. You may be lucky to catch big names in the arts scene at the San Jose Center of Performing Arts. Be sure to take note of the marquee out front that recreates the detail, look, and size of the theatre’s original sign.

Learn more about San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

12. The Tech Interactive

Conveniently located in downtown San Jose, Tech Interactive is a science and technology center that features experimental labs, hands-on activities, and design challenges. The center is a landmark for teams that want to experience what Silicon Valley, the most innovative place globally, has to offer. From the innovations in healthcare to cyber detectives and social robots, teams have a wide array of exhibits to explore. You can also let your team catch educational and mainstream movies at the IMAX Dome Theatre, where attendees will experience the first laser dome theatre projector. A team tour to Tech Interactive will inspire your team to innovate with curiosity, creativity, and compassion.

Learn more about The Tech Interactive.

13. Los Gatos Creek Trail

Los Gatos Creek Trail offers teams countless outdoor activities, including jogging, running, walking, cycling, and skating. Since the Los Gatos Creek Trail cuts through ponds, parks, a reservoir, and a creek, participants will enjoy the breathtaking sceneries. The 9.7-mile trail runs from Lexington Reservoir through Campbell to Meridian Avenue. While the 1.9-mile San Jose trail has a moderate incline, it includes a 1.3-mile steep climb. You can let participants choose their preferred outing activities at this heavily used trail.

Learn more about San Gatos Creek Trail.

14. Santana Row

Santana Row tops the list of shopping and dining-themed corporate outings in San Jose. The 2.1-million square feet venue features over 50 shops, 30 eateries, and a six-screen movie theatre. The venue’s surrounding area features parks, landscaped gardens, and plazas. For a more immersive team outing, you can browse the venue’s list of events. Attendees can enjoy a shopping experience with outdoor yoga classes, live music, and the annual tree lighting ceremony. You can get your team gift cards that attendees can redeem at the selected shops, restaurants, CineArts Theatre, spas, and Hotel Valencia. Be sure to try the San Jose cuisine at one of the eateries at Santana Row.

Learn more about Santana Row.

15. San Jose Museum of Art

The San Jose Museum of Art is a contemporary and modern art museum with a permanent collection of works from the 20th and 21st centuries. With an emphasis on West Coast artists, the museum holds over 2,600 artworks. Here, you will find paintings, sculptures, digital media, prints, drawings, and photographs. The San Jose Museum of Art has a positive reputation owing to its distinctive and fresh exhibits suitable for visitors of all ages and cultural backgrounds. You can check out the list of exhibits and collections and book your team tickets to the largest provider of arts education in the Santa Clara region. The team outing at the San Jose Museum of Art will inspire creativity among your workforce. Attendees will also get a playful and surprising perspective on the artists and appreciate the ongoing commitment to preserving the collections.

Learn more about San Jose Museum of Art.

16. History Park

History Park is an indoor and outdoor museum with 32 historic buildings, replicas, landmarks, and businesses. The 14-acre site offers teams a relaxing and educational historical tour that will take attendees back in time. Your team will see some of the historic buildings, including the Pacific Hotel, the blacksmith shed, and Santa Clara Valley settlers’ houses. In addition, the park offers visitors a wide range of services, including cultural heritage programs, cultural festivals, tours, and workshops. If you want your team to learn the historical and architectural background of the buildings and landmarks, then be sure to choose the history park walking tour.

Learn more about History Park.

17. San Jose Flea Market

The San Jose Flea Market is one of the best team building outings in San Jose that will bring teams together and create memories as participants shop, play, and dine. As one of the best destinations for an inexpensive and fun-filled day, there are countless activities for attendees at the over 120-acre venue. Each week, the market hosts over 6,000 vendors. Participants can stroll the colorful alleys as they shop for great bargains, collectibles, produce, and enjoy tasty treats from the over 30 snack bars. You can also engage your team in games at The Flea Market Arcade and Skee Ball area. The arcade features over 90 video games and hosts basketball skills games, air hockey tables, and Donkey Kong. If you visit the San Jose Flea Market on a sunny day, then be sure to grab some tasty ice cream, relax on the bench, and enjoy free live music.

Learn more about San Jose Flea Market.

18. Japantown

If you are looking for work team outings in San Jose to promote diversity and inclusion in your workforce, then a team tour to Japantown is an excellent idea. Japantown is one of the last three historical Japantowns and the oldest ethnic enclaves in the U.S. The 125-year-old popular spot offers a mix of traditional shops, electric boutiques, authentic eateries, museums, and art galleries. You can also visit the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. The in-house museum features a unique collection of rotating and permanent exhibits that detail over a century of Japanese American history. Japantown also hosts a weekly farmer’s market where attendees can purchase fresh produce. After the Japantown tour, you can grab Japanese cuisine and drinks at one of the eateries.

Learn more about Japantown.

19. Mount Hermon Adventures

An outing to Mount Hermon Adventures is one of the best company outing ideas in San Jose for thrill lovers. Mount Hermon Adventures is a popular stop for ziplining and aerial courses just a few miles outside San Jose. The company has different challenges that offer an inspirational and authentic experience. Your team can enjoy the canopy tours featuring two suspension bridges and six zip lines that tower the redwoods. Participants who want a highly active adventure can try the aerial adventure that features timber obstacles and traverse rope.

Learn more about Mount Hermon Adventures.

20. Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Almaden Quicksilver County Park is a California landmark that has a rich history of over 135 years of mining activities. The 4,163-acre park offers one of the most spectacular native wildflower displays in Spring and an exciting look into the 19th-century mining operations. Besides learning about the park’s rich history, you can engage your team in fun team building activities like biking, hiking, and picnicking. With the park’s elevation reaching over 1,700 feet above sea level, you will catch the city’s stunning views.

Learn more about Almaden Quicksilver County Park.

21. San Jose Improv

The San Jose Improv tops the list of team outings for a laughter-filled day. As the oldest theatre in San Jose, you will find renowned and up-in-coming performers at the venue. Since San Jose Improv is a smaller venue, your team will have an intimate experience. You can browse the list of events at the venue and enjoy open mics, sketch groups, live podcasts, and recordings. San Jose Improv also offers a variety of food and drinks your team can grab during the shows.

Learn more about San Jose Improv.

22. Coterie Winery

Coterie Winery is one of the best group outing ideas for adults in San Jose. Nestled near downtown San Jose, Coterie Winery features a variety of hand-crafted wines. The tasting menu changes regularly, and participants will enjoy new wine varieties with each visit. Some wines you can try at the winery include the Grenache Blanc, Corner Viognier, Glenrose Vineyard Roussanne, and Pinot Noir. You can also add a food pairing such as cheese, charcuterie, and small bites to your tasting package. If you want to get special tasting discounts for your team, then be sure to sign up for the Coterie Winery membership.

Learn more about Coterie Winery

Conclusion

San Jose boasts of being the capital of Silicon Valley. The technological hub is a leading center of innovation and is home to tech giants like Cisco Systems, PayPal, Acer, and eBay. From epic trails to historical museums and shopping alleys, you can offer your team a memorable team outing in San Jose. Regular company outings will boost your team’s productivity and team bonding. Workers’ participation in fun activities will also expose your team’s hidden talents that can benefit your company.

For more California excursions, check out these lists of team building ideas in San Francisco and team building in Mountain View.

FAQ: Company outing ideas in San Jose, California

Here are answers about company outing ideas in San Jose.

What are the best group outing ideas in San Jose?

If you are seeking a fun-filled team outing, then you will love the vast options San Jose offers. Some of the best group outing ideas in San Jose that your team will enjoy include a team visit to Japantown, Coterie Winery, and Los Gatos Creek Trail.

What are good places for groups to go in San Jose?

Some good places for groups to go in San Jose include San Jose Flea Market, History Park, and Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Be sure to incorporate other fun team building activities at these venues. For instance, you can engage your team in other fun activities at these venues, like scavenger hunts.

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Author:

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.
Grace is the Director of People & Culture at TeamBuilding. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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