21 Best Team Building Activities in Santa Cruz Your Team Will Love for 2024

‍Relax and connect at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing! This is a microbrewery where organic beers and a dog-friendly taproom await! Located at Swift Street Courtyard, it offers seven flagship ales, seasonal brews, and organic sodas, which you can combine with tasty bites from Kelly’s French Bakery. Make the most of the outdoor garden and enjoy this ultimate spot for a fun, casual team outing with great drinks and delicious food!

‍Adventure Out teaches surf lessons at two of the best beaches in the San Francisco Bay Area: Pacifica State Beach and Cowells Beach in Santa Cruz. Enjoy early morning sessions - at 7:00 am - which might be hard to wake up for, but are truly magical. Earlier in the morning, you’ll find great surf conditions, no wind, no crowds – it is all about you learning a new skill with your team!

Since 1945, the Beauregard family has crafted wines in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Join your team at Beauregard Vineyards for a wine tasting experience featuring top-rated Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Located under towering redwoods in Bonny Doon, just 3 miles from the Pacific, the historic tasting room offers an intimate setting for your crew. Enjoy wines exclusively available at the winery, guided by world-class wine educators.

‍Ready to elevate your team’s skills? The Climbing School at Pacific Edge offers everything from basic belay techniques to advanced climbing skills like crack climbing and lead climbing. With a top-notch curriculum led by Tom Davis and Diane Russell, you'll get expert instruction for every climbing discipline. This is a fantastic adventure that will take your team's climbing game to new heights!

‍Teams of thrill-seekers will love their next adventure at the Santa Cruz Archery Range in DeLaveaga Park! Located off Brookwood Drive, the range offers three areas: an indoor range (for special events), an outdoor target range, and a 14-target outdoor course. Bring your own equipment, as rentals aren't available. The range is open daily from sunup to sundown, with driving access on weekends from noon to 4 pm. A $3 donation is appreciated to help maintain the facilities. Enjoy archery safely and make some great team memories!

‍Get your team hands-on with clay at Good Life Ceramics’ fully-equipped studio! From pottery classes and clay camps to private parties, the studio offers a creative, fun experience for everyone. Start with a demo on texturing clay slabs, then start your own project with expert guidance. Choose your glaze, and let the studio handle the rest—drying, firing, and glazing. Most projects are ready in 3 weeks. Enjoy 2 hours of teamwork that’s both rewarding and relaxing!

‍Enjoy the great wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains with Tommy John’s. Book the Grape Escape WineriesTour and visit 8 or 9 historic wineries in the area, savoring local wines that will leave you in awe! Alternatively, opt for the Saratoga Wine Trail Tour. Both tours include iconic stops such as Ridge Winery, Picchetti Winery, and a visit to Vidovich Vineyards. The best part? You get to taste the delicious vintages from Savannah Channel!

‍Head to Seymour Marine Center and learn about marine science with a 30-minute tour led by expert docents! Explore the blue whale skeleton and peek into UC Santa Cruz's marine mammal research. Tours are included with admission and are first-come, first-served, so grab your team’s spot early (space for 20 people only). Plus, the Seymour Center offers a standout venue that you can book for any event, from team celebrations to conferences, with a capacity of 120.

‍Gather your crew and prepare for a creative session at The Painted Cork! Book a Paint & Sip or crafting party for your team and unleash your artistic side. Local professional artists will guide your group through a fun, step-by-step process to create acrylic paintings or crafts. Enjoy a lively studio atmosphere, and leave with your own masterpiece. With all supplies and setup included, plus over 300 themes to choose from, it’s the ultimate team-building experience!

‍Set up your gear and head for a stand-up paddleboarding adventure in Santa Cruz! SUP Shack Santa Cruz is the top choice for a team-building day at the harbor. Perfect for corporate events and located just a few steps from Twin Lakes Beach, this is where your team can enjoy paddling with harbor seals. SUP Shack offers guided lessons and tours, plus options for beginner and advanced paddlers. Book the Sunset SUP for a fantastic evening with your crew!

‍Ready to celebrate a team milestone or take a break from the office? Santa Cruz Picnic Company is just what your team needs, offering luxury picnic experiences perfect for any occasion! Specializing in corporate events, the company handles everything—decor, setup, cleanup, and a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. Ideal for team bonding and relaxation, your offsite gathering will be fun, stylish, and completely stress-free!

‍Dive into an outstanding team adventure with Santa Cruz & Elkhorn Slough Paddling Adventures! Whether you’re sea kayaking or stand-up paddling, these guided tours reveal hidden gems your team would miss on their own. Paddle through the forests of Monterey Bay, spotting sea otters, sea lions, and dolphins along the way. In spring, you might even catch sight of migrating Gray Whales. Perfect for locals and visitors alike, this adventure is designed just for your group!

‍Just steps from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Boardwalk Bowl is your team’s go-to spot for indoor fun! Enjoy state-of-the-art bowling, an arcade, a lounge, and a bite to eat. Check out the Pro-Shop, staffed by certified pros, offering everything from gear to lessons. Plus, enjoy complimentary parking while you’re here. Gather your crew and strike up some fun at the Boardwalk Bowl!

‍Ready to take your Boardwalk adventure to the next level? Head to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park and soar high on the new 65’ Dream Wheel ferris wheel, or amp up the excitement on Surge with 360-degrees of adrenaline! Join heart-pounding thrills like the Giant Dipper and don’t miss out on the action—dive into rides like Crazy Surf, Cyclone, Double Shot, Fireball, and more! Are you feeling brave?

‍Experience Santa Cruz like never before with a private tour, fully controlled by you! Explore Beach Paradise and other top spots at your own pace, guided by local legend Jackie Woods. With the Pintours app, you can pause, skip, and dive deep into each location—no crowds, just your crew. Discover the best beaches, views, and local eats, including stops at Cowell’s Beach, Santa Cruz Wharf, and the Crow’s Nest Restaurant.

‍Welcome to Calero County Park, one of Santa Clara County's most diverse regional park and recreation areas. This 4,471-acre park is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, so come along and enjoy the stunning nature views. Two distinct areas define this park: the reservoir, which offers water-oriented recreational activities, and the backcountry, which reveals riparian plant communities and wildlife habitats. If you’re looking for a serene setting in nature, this is it!

Get ready for a team adventure in Santa Cruz your team won’t forget! Book this top-rated scavenger hunt by Let’s Roam and prepare to be mesmerized! Covering 1.44 miles and 7 stops, your crew will crack puzzles, tackle challenges, and discover landmarks. From Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Neptune’s Kingdom, you’ll learn about the city’s history while soaking in ocean views. This interactive hunt is a blast for teams looking to explore!

Discover the spine-chilling secrets of Santa Cruz with US Ghost Adventures and explore Santa Cruz's haunted history! You and your crew will visit eerie landmarks like Golden Gate Villa, Sunshine Villa, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, while you hear tragic tales from a local guide. Ideal for groups, this adventure brings your team closer as you explore the darker side of Surf City.

Ready for an adventurous ride through Santa Cruz? Join this guided e-bike tour, perfect for solo adventurers and corporate groups alike! Cruise along the coastline, explore downtown, and pass by local spots like the Beach Boardwalk and Natural Bridges State Beach. With pedal-assist electric bikes, your team will breeze through all the must-see attractions while enjoying the natural beauty of Santa Cruz. Ride together and make the most of your stay in California!

Get in touch with your adventurous side with Mount Hermon Adventures. Choose the Redwood Canopy Tour for a fully guided zip line eco-adventure among the redwood giants. Featuring six zip lines and two suspension bridges hung above a creek, your team’s adrenaline levels will reach new heights! Or opt for the Sequoia Aerial Adventure and navigate rope and timber obstacles 80 feet above the forest floor. This one is for the brave ones only!

Looking for a team adventure in the wild? Check out The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, just outside Aptos, CA! With over 40 miles of scenic trails winding through 10,000 acres of redwoods, it’s a prime spot for hiking, biking, or simply breathing fresh air with your crew. Escape the crowds and explore moderate trails like the Medicine Buddha Loop, Terrace Trail and Aptos Rancho Trail. Ready to immerse your squad in nature?