Here is our list of the best corporate team building activities in San Francisco and the Bay area.
Team building activities in San Francisco are events, meetings, or exercises that bring employees together and enhance communication. For example, climbing the Filbert Steps, singing karaoke at The Mint, and doing The Great Guac Off. The purpose of these activities is to strengthen employees’ interpersonal relationships while relieving stress and boosting morale. These activities are also known as “team building ideas in SF.”
These activities are forms of team building exercises and fun group activities. The options include both outdoor team building activities and indoor team building ideas.
These events are similar to group activities in San Francisco and corporate event ideas in San Francisco.
This list includes:
- team building activities for small groups in San Francisco, CA
- team building activities for large groups in San Francisco, California
- team building activities for adults in San Francisco
- corporate team building ideas in San Francisco
Here we go!
List of team building activities in San Francisco
Organizing a team-building outing is an effective way to create a unique bond among your group. From bowling at Lucky Strike to Camping at Rob Hill, here are activities you can do in San Francisco to facilitate team building.
1. The Great Guac Off
The Great Guac Off is a fully hosted contest where teams compete to make the best guacamole. The 90 minutes event is great for corporate team building activities in San Francisco and can accommodate small and large groups.
The first activity your team will do is ‘Trivo-Cado,’ which is a pub-style trivia. You will then play a game like House Builder or Builder Cup before proceeding to the guacamole-making competition. After, the winning team will receive prizes. You can run this contest in a space like the host’s rental location, your office, or a conference center.
Furthermore, your booking includes an event host, prizes, a group photo, and guacamole ingredients. You may also include gift bags, a team meal, or make the experience BYOB.
Learn more about The Great Guac Off.
2. The Art of Storytelling
The Art of Storytelling is a two-hour training that aims to improve attendees’ storytelling skills. You can run the workshop as a part of your meetings or even as a stand-alone event. During the fully hosted training, your team will learn the framework of crafting compelling tales. This skill will be beneficial to your team members in their work performances and personal lives.
The event promotes teamwork by giving guests the room to work together while practicing how to tell stories. Also, the story masters will provide each attendee feedback regarding how to improve on the skill.
Learn more about The Art of Storytelling.
3. Museum Hack
Museum Hack will take you and your team on a trip to the best museums, like SF MoMA. The fully hosted experience will last for two hours, and you can have two to 300 or more attendees in your group.
The tour’s objective is to enhance team-building. You and your team will engage in icebreaker activities and get to hear stories about leadership, collaboration, and teamwork. You can customize the experience to suit your industry, mission, or personality.
Learn more about Museum Hack.
4. Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is one of the famous national historical landmarks in San Francisco. You can explore the island with your team by boarding one of the Alcatraz ferries. The only official ferry line authorized to sell tour tickets is the Alcatraz City Cruises. The ticket starting price varies from $25 to $90 and includes a round-trip ferry ride to the island.
Once you reach the Alcatraz dock, there will be a short introductory orientation. If you book the day ticket, then your team can enjoy a self-guided audio tour of the infamous Cell House, also available in the American Sign Language Version. You can also visit the island’s barracks building, where you will find a bookstore, exhibits, and theaters.
Learn more about Alcatraz Island.
5. Karaoke at The Mint
The Mint provides karaoke facilities for your team members to channel their inner singers and get comfortable with each other. Singing at The Mint’s Karaoke is one of the lively team building activities for adults in San Francisco.
To sing, you must fill out a form slip and give the paper to the KJ, who will then put you in rotation. You may bring your own food after indicating in the reservation form or order from a nearby sushi restaurant during the event. Participants must be 21 years and above.
Learn more about The Mint.
6. Ferry Building Marketplace
Ferry Building Marketplace is a great location to share a meal and enjoy the scenery. You will find a farmers’ market offering quality and diverse fresh farm foods, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs in this area. You can walk around with your team and learn more about different food and agriculture.
While exploring, you can have street food like grilled meats, tacos, and wood-fired pizza, usually available on Thursday Markets. There is also the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, where your team can bond while chatting over glasses of wine.
Learn more about the Ferry Building Marketplace.
7. Kayaking at Monterey Bay
A kayaking trip to Monterey Bay is a pleasant way to spend time with your group and create lasting memories. You can rent kayaks or bring your boats. The activity will give you an amazing view of different fish species, seals, sea otters, crabs, and sea birds. You can float quietly and watch the animals from a reasonable distance since you may frighten them easily.
If you plan to have a self-guided tour of Monterey Bay, then you should have at least one team member knowledgeable about kayaking. Packing snacks and water with you during the activity is also a great idea. You can bring some extra clothes just in case plenty of water splashes on you.
Learn more about Kayaking in Monterey Bay.
8. Presidio Bowl
Bowling at Presidio Bowl is one of the exhilarating corporate team building activities in San Francisco. The bowling center can host a large group and has 12 lanes. You can have up to six attendees per lane. If you plan to reschedule after booking, then you must give at least 24 hours’ notice. The booking day and time will influence the pricing, ranging from $45 to $70 per hour.
Learn more about Presidio Bowl.
9. The Filbert Steps
The Filbert Steps are a popular set of stairways in San Francisco that you can walk as a team building activity. While you climb, you will see beautiful flowers and plants in different colors. You will also pass through the exquisite Grace Marchant Garden. The experience doubles as a fun and fitness activity as you walk up to Coit Tower. You can walk around the tower’s ground floor for free. However, you will need tickets to access the tower’s second floor on a guided tour.
To make the activity more fun, you can ask your teammates to count their steps while moving up and compare numbers at the end.
Get tips on walking The Filbert Steps.
10. Ocean Beach
The six-mile-long Ocean Beach is a lovely location to enjoy the day with your team.
Aside from swimming, you can engage in other activities on the sand like playing volleyball, ultimate frisbee, or having a picnic.
You will also find fire pits along the beach. In the evening, you can warm up around a bonfire with your team while doing activities like icebreakers, storytelling, or sharing a meal. Keep in mind that if you have a group with 25 or more members, then you must obtain a permit before setting up the bonfire as required by the Ocean Beach Fire Program. Also, you can only set up the fire between March and October.
Learn more about Ocean Beach and check out this list of team beach party ideas.
11. Edgewood Park Trail
Hiking is an excellent team-building activity, and you will find several trails to walk at Edgewood Park. The Edgewood Trail Loop is moderately challenging and about 3.1 miles long, taking an average of 180 minutes to complete. Also, the scenery along this route is quite beautiful. You can also walk the 1.4 miles-long Franciscan Trail connecting the Ridgeview Trail to the Edgewood Trail. If you need a moment to relax, then you will find two benches along this route.
Get directions to Edgewood Park Trail.
12. K1 Speed Go-Kart Track
The go-kart racing hosted by K1 is suitable for team building activities for large groups in San Francisco. The pricing varies from $27.95 to $64.95 for one to three races.
However, your team members may not be able to race at the same time if you book tickets for busier days. Your best bet will be to make a reservation for a private experience if you have eight or more members in your group.
Learn more about K1 speed.
13. Reason Escape Games
Reason hosts high-tech two escape rooms to deliver an adventurous experience to teams, which are:
- Glitch: You have to save the world from grinding due to a faulty fab.
- Lola 2 Mars: This room is ideal for small teams. You and your team will play to repair a mining coast.
The game’s price ranges from $40 to $48 per player, depending on the booked room. Also, you can have up to 30 team members play together for 60 minutes.
Learn more about Reason Escape Games.
14. The Cable Car Museum
Exploring the Cable Car Museum is one of the best corporate team building ideas in San Francisco, especially if your group is a fan of technology. Admission to the museum is free, and you can visit any day of the week except on Mondays. Inside, you will see a collection of historical photographs and mechanical devices like brakes, cables, and grips.
You will also find three antique cable cars dating back to the 1870s. Furthermore, your team can enjoy a ride in the cable cars on the California line, the Powell-Hyde line, and the Powell-Mason line. A ride costs $7 per adult.
Learn more about Cable Car Museum Tour.
15. Paintball at American Canyon
You can play paintball at American Canyon for a competitive team building activity. This paintball park, located in the San Francisco North Bay Area, can accommodate large and small teams. If you do not wish to book a private game for your group, then you can access the park on Saturdays and Sundays only. The game is great for both expert and beginner players, with the latter receiving special attention.
The park has 40-acre paintball fields with different terrain. The package price ranges from $55 to $150 with varying options like additional paintballs, full tank high-pressure air, and unlimited air refills.
Learn more about Paintball at American Canyon.
16. Subpar Miniature Golf
Mini Golf at Subpar Miniature Golf is an immersive activity giving your team the chance to spend quality time together. The cost for a 90 minutes round with access to 18 holes is $12. There is also a variation called ‘Glow In The Dark Golf,’ which has a nighttime theme and includes a colored light-up ball and a glow necklace.
Even if you do not intend to play golf at this center, your team can still stop by to get some snacks and chat on the patio. You can also get beverages like boba drinks, beer, and wine.
Learn more about Subpar Miniature Golf.
17. Anchor Brewery Company
The most fun team building activities for adults in San Francisco include touring the Anchor Brewery. This brewery organizes public and private tours for interested guests. Your team can walk together while gaining an insight into the brewery’s facility. You will have a personal tour guide who will take you from the company’s taproom to the brewhouse.
Your visit also includes a beer tasting experience at the taproom. The tour will last for one hour, and the pricing starts from $20 per guest. You can make a booking for up to 25 members of your group. This tour is a good way to bring your team members together to relate and enjoy the tasting experience.
Learn more about Anchor Brewery Company.
18. Arcade Games at Detour
Detour is an amusing game center to visit if you want your team to bond while playing arcade games. There are various games, ranging from shooting to classics and fighting.
If you plan your team-building activity on a low budget, then you can visit Detour for dinner on the first Tuesday of any month. Detour offers a free game with a drink or food purchase during this time. The menu also caters to different dietary requirements with dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian options.
Learn more about Detour.
19. AMC Kabuki 8
An effective way to boost team morale is to see a movie at a theater, like AMC.
You will find the movies showing on a particular day on the theater’s website. You can book the movie as a private experience in your desired theater. There is also the dine-in option where your team can enjoy fresh dishes while watching a film.
Learn more about AMC Kabuki 8.
20. The Battery to Bluffs Trail
If your team-building activity involves hiking, then the Battery to Bluffs trail is a nice route to walk. You will find this trail in Presidio Park. Walking this path will give your team fascinating ocean views of Baker and Marshal’s beach. Also, the beach area is a perfect place to stop and watch the sunset with the team if you choose to start the hike in the late afternoon. Your team will also sight historic batteries and the Golden Gate Bridge. Depending on your pace, your walk may last for an average of one hour since the trail is just 1.7 miles long.
Get directions to Battery to Bluffs Trail.
21. The Civic Kitchen
Learning to cook at The Civic Kitchen is one of the team building activities for small groups in San Francisco. The Civic Kitchen is a cooking school offering some in-person classes ideal for groups with less than 14 members.
The in-person cooking classes run on fixed days, subject to rescheduling or cancellation. Depending on the day, you can learn to bake or cook, and the price ranges from $25 to $160 per participant. Also, the duration varies, with some classes lasting up to four hours. The host will provide all tools needed for the activity. After the lesson, your team may share a generous meal with beer and wine. Also, the classes are customizable to fit into a dietary restriction.
Learn more about The Civic Kitchen.
22. Rob Hill
Spending a night at a camping area like Rob Hill is an excellent team-building activity that allows you to spend quality time with your group members. There are four sets of campsites in Rob Hill, which you can only reserve overnight. Each campsite can accommodate up to 30 guests, with the reservation fee varying from $87 to $132. Rob Hill has a fire ring for setting up a campfire, but you have to bring your own firewood. Your team can gather around the fire to tell stories and play icebreaker games like two truth and one lie, this or that, or never have I ever.
Your team can access other facilities at the Rob Hill campsites, including picnic tables, restrooms with running water, bike racks, and a BBQ grill.
Learn more about Rob Hill.
23. The San Francisco Zoo
The zoo is an exciting place to connect with wildlife. You and your team can take a tour around the San Francisco Zoo after paying an admission fee of $25 per adult. Some animals you will encounter include American white pelicans, African Lion, Amazon tree boa, and anise swallowtail caterpillars. You can also watch the animals eat during their scheduled feeding time listed on the zoo’s website.
Learn more about San Francisco Zoo.
24. Lucky Strike
Having your team go on a bowling challenge at Lucky Strike is one of the best corporate team building ideas in San Francisco. Lucky Strike allows you to reserve a lane for up to eight guests. The cost for a one-hour bowling experience is $16 per guest.
Lucky Strike also provides arcades and dining with a wide range of food and drinks on the menu, including gluten-free and vegetarian options. After an exhilarating game, the team can sit together and enjoy a meal.
Learn more about Bowl at Lucky Strike.
25. Museum of 3D Illusions
The most fun team building activities for small teams in San Francisco include touring the Museum of 3D Illusions. Your team will share an unforgettable moment of seeing intriguing visuals and pictures displayed in the museum. You may take pictures, striking different poses to emphasize the Illusions. The admission ticket pricing for adults starts from $30, and there is no time limitation for your experience.
The museum also organizes ‘Smash It,’ a stress-relieving experience great as a team-building activity. You and your teammates will receive and decorate a plate each. Then you will smash the plates to let go of negative emotions and relieve stress.
Learn more about Museum of 3D Illusions.
26. Cobb’s Comedy Club
Watching a show at Cobb’s Comedy Club is an excellent idea to entertain employees and relieve stress. This location can contain up to 770 guests. Your team will get to watch the performance of great comedians like Steve Hofstetter, Eddie Ifft, Dulce Sloan, and Solomon Georgio. The general admission ticket price starts from $20. Aside from food served during the show, guests must have a minimum of two drinks, whether alcoholic or soft beverages.
Learn more about Cobb’s Comedy Club.
27. Escape Games at Palace Games
Palace Games provides some exhilarating escape rooms with unique themes like:
- The Great Houdini Escape Room: Your goal is to earn the title of Master Escape Artist. However, you have to solve some old magician puzzles in a mysterious room designed by the great Houdini.
- The Roosevelt Escape Room: Your team will play as great innovators assembled by the president. You must face some tests while preparing to lead the war.
- The Edison Escape Room: To inherit Thomas Edison’s secret to success, you have to uncover the scientist’s secret laboratory’s entrance. You must also master the challenges in the building to win.
Playing these games by Palace Escape is one of the highly immersive team building activities for large groups in San Francisco. The rooms can accommodate groups of 4 to 125 participants. The cost for each game is $410, with the entire experience lasting for two hours.
Learn more about Palace Games.
Conclusion
Several activities can help you build your team in San Francisco. If you are not sure which activity will work best, then you can review your expectations from the event, exercise, or games. For instance, if your goal is to break the ice among the team, then camping, karaoke, and cooking together will be great. On the other hand, if your goal is to develop teamwork, then you can do a guacamole-making contest, play escape games, or paintball. There is no shortage of ways to entertain your group and foster team bonding in the Bay Area!
Next, check out this list of relationship-building ideas.
Grace He