You found our list of the best company retreat ideas in Mountain View, California.
Company retreat ideas in Mountain View are opportunities for workers to escape the daily grind and relax in one another’s company. For example, your team can learn about historic military advancements with a visit to the Moffatt Field Museum or enjoy a delicious brunch at Crepevine. These activities encourage camaraderie and community among employees in environments outside of the workspace.
These ideas work as company retreat venues and retreat activities for groups. These activities are similar to company outings in Mountain View and ways to entertain groups in Mountain View.
This list includes:
- corporate retreat ideas for big groups in Mountain View
- corporate retreat ideas for small groups in Mountain View
- company retreat entertainment ideas in Mountain View
- company retreat locations in Mountain View
- team retreat ideas in Mountain View
Here is the list!
List of company retreat ideas in Mountain View
From exciting nightclubs for drinks and dancing to a leisurely exploration of the natural world, here are ideas for company retreats in Mountain View.
1. Espionage! (Popular)
Teams can unravel the mystery of an undercover world with Espionage! This immersive experience features puzzles, challenges, and secret agents.
Here is what you can expect:
- a 90-minute session with a high-class facilitator
- strategic scavenger hunts, word searches, and code scrambles
- secretive teams of agents and spies
- hidden identities and deception
- strategic thinking and team discussions to reveal who is playing as spies
To make planning simple, we will meet you at your preferred location with all the necessary supplies. If you are looking for an experience that boosts your team’s creative thinking and competitive spirit, then check out Espionage!
Learn more about Espionage!
2. Superhero Academy (Team Favorite)
Your staff members are the heroes of your company, and with Superhero Academy, they can bring that energy into a real-life comic book adventure!
Superhero Academy offers the following:
- a 90-minute team building session led by a talented host
- immersive storytelling where participants become the heroes
- games and activities that put attendees’ skills to the test
- engaging challenges that let each team member showcase their skills
Wherever you choose to host this event, we will meet you there with all the necessary materials. Superhero Academy provides a fun and engaging environment for your team to learn how to overcome challenges together!
Learn more about Superhero Academy.
Want some free team building tools?
$49 value (100% free)
- 100+ fully tested icebreaker questions
- 24+ themed Bingo generators
- 5+ PDFs (including the 8% Rule)
- 2024 team building calendar
- and more...
Enter your email for instant access
3. The Great Guac Off™️ (Highly Rated)
During The Great Guac Off, teams will battle it out in a guacamole-making contest! Staff members will love this avocado-themed competition.
The Great Guac Off includes the following:
- a 90-minute session with a talented host
- energetic avocado trivia, mini-games, and icebreakers
- premium ingredients to make tasty guacamole
- an optional secret ingredient to add another challenge
- a guacamole mash-off and judging session
To make planning easy, we will meet you at your venue of choice with all the needed supplies. During this 90-minute experience, teams will boost teamwork, communication, and friendly competition.
Learn more about The Great Guac Off.
4. PhotoTrainer
Teams interested in photography should check out PhotoTrainer! Tom Upton runs several courses on photography, many of them beginner friendly.
Here are some courses Upton offers:
- Better iPhone Class: Covers the foundations of using a phone camera to achieve quality results
- The Jumpstart Class: Perfect for new DSLR owners to learn the basics of manual mode
- Photographic Composition: Details the importance of lighting and setting up a shot
Further, folks can learn about portraiture and still life. Learning photography is a fun way to spend the afternoon at a retreat.
Learn more about PhotoTrainer.
5. Mike’s Bikes
If the great outdoors is calling your team into the California sunshine, then a bike ride might be in order! Mike’s Bikes in nearby Palo Alto maintains a schedule of group rides that can get your crew pedaling along the prettiest scenery in the area. There are evening rides throughout the week, and even a few weekend rides to get things rolling on non-workdays.
The routes for these rides rank as moderate to high levels of difficulty. If a group ride proves too big a challenge, then Mike’s also offers corporate events such as happy hours and team bike buildings that benefit children’s charities.
Learn more about Mike’s Bikes.
6. Pichetti Winery
Teams can take advantage of the rich wine culture in Northern California with a trip to Pichetti Winery. As company retreat locations in Mountain View go, this gorgeous property is a slice of paradise, complete with peacocks wandering the grounds. There are picnic areas for visitors to languish in, and of course, the tasting room, an inviting space with warm brick walls and welcoming rustic interiors. You can choose customized flights with five wines, with a group maximum of 20 guests on weekdays and ten guests on weekends and holidays.
Learn more about Pichetti Winery.
7. Maison Alyzee
Few team retreat ideas in Mountain View bring continental elegance like Maison Alyzee, a Parisian bistro in the heart of Northern California. The authentic breads and gourmet pastries are a must, though truly hungry diners can order breakfast and lunch dishes as well. For lovers of fine European sweets, a few tasty morsels boxed to go make a delicious souvenir.
Learn more about Maison Alyzee.
8. Gallery 9
As the oldest art gallery in nearby Los Altos, Gallery 9 represents both the history and future of art in Northern California. This art cooperative began in 1970 with nine artists referred to in the gallery’s name. The facility has thrived for more than 50 years, and currently showcases works by more than 25 artists working with paint, pottery, photography, and jewelry. Exhibits rotate through the gallery during the year to give each creator front-of-shop exposure and to incorporate new pieces as they arrive.
Learn more about Gallery 9 Los Altos.
9. Dana Street Roasting Company
With an espresso drink called Kick in the Pants on the menu, you know your team is in for an energizing time at Dana Street Roasting Company! This no-nonsense roaster has kept locals and visitors hopped up on caffeine for 25 years, making it a staple in the community. The menu also includes specialty drinks and teas that rival anything Starbucks can concoct. Banana mocha and Caffe Borgia featuring chocolate, orange, and nutmeg are standouts.
Learn more about Dana Street Roasting Company.
10. Opal Social Club
Alcoholic boba is only one of the surprises your team will find when they head to Opal Social Club. As company retreat entertainment ideas in Mountain View go, this space is an electrifying adult experience. Spirited workers can enjoy drinks and dancing to DJ-spun music on Friday and Saturday nights between 9:00 pm and 1:30 am. The club also offers private rentals of the facility for a more intimate retreat environment.
Learn more about Opal Social Club.
11. The Foster
The Foster is an art gallery dedicated to Tony Foster’s wilderness watercolors. The plein-air painting collections represent Tony’s various journeys and include sketches and notes about the locales in the images. Some of his expeditions to create his artworks have taken years to complete, giving art-minded teams a view into the working imagination of a professional artist. The facility also features an archive of Tony’s past works, as well as updated exhibits of his new paintings.
Learn more about The Foster.
12. Zinfandel Trail
California’s winemaking region is a prime location for exploration. You can plan an excursion that takes your team along the Zinfandel Trail, with stops at esteemed wineries for informative tours and sampling of fine local varietals. There is no formal tour for the route. Instead, the wine lovers in your group can choose their destinations and designate a custom itinerary. With beautiful land to explore and so many incredible wines to try, your crew may never want to return to the office!
Learn more about Zinfandel Trail.
13. Cascal
This colorful Latin restaurant offers a full menu of tasty global offerings, including South American ceviche alongside Spanish paella and tapas. The dessert menu is an equally intriguing prospect for teams with a taste for sweet treats. An array of tempting dishes like Basque cheesecake and warm chocolate souffle offers hungry workers a plateful of delightful decadence. Because luxury is best served with a beverage, be sure to order something from the coffee cocktail menu to go with dessert.
Learn more about Cascal.
14. Community School of Music and Arts
For teams with a creative side, the Community School of Music and Arts offers workshops that allow guests to explore their talents. These classes cover a variety of disciplines, from traditional painting to contemporary jewelry-making. You can even find pet portrait classes on the schedule for the animal lovers in your group. Prices vary based on the project, with most sessions lasting between two and four hours.
Learn more about the Community School of Music and Arts.
15. Books, Inc.
Inclusion and diversity are prominent themes at Books, Inc., considered to be the oldest independent bookseller in the West. Established at the height of the Gold Rush, this literary trove is a book lover’s dream, with a rich and colorful history that reads like a novel. At one point, the original location burned down and underwent a rebuild to become the quaint, storied bookshop it is today.
Books, Inc. now has locations all around Northern California, including the gleaming storefront on Castro Street. Teams with a passion for reading can drop in and linger among the stacks for a relaxing retreat into the world of literature.
Learn more about Books, Inc.
16. Scratch
New American cuisine is the order of the day at Scratch, a thoughtful modern eatery that tops company retreat locations in Mountain View for fine yet casual dining. The menu features familiar favorites prepared with elegant touches, such as southern fried calamari and truffle mushroom flatbread pizza. The beverage menu is extensive and includes a library of high-end luxury bottles side-by-side with affordable pours. The dining room is open for brunch on the weekends or dinner nightly.
Learn more about Scratch.
17. Golfland
For a bit of good old-fashioned fun, get your team geared up for a few rounds of miniature golf at Golfland. Located a quick fifteen-minute drive away in neighboring Milpitas, this amusement park features three whimsical golf courses for friendly competition in the beautiful Northern California sunshine. After putting, your crew can test their mettle in a laser maze, knock about in bumper cars, have a shoot-out with laser tag, and cue up some state-of-the-art video games in the arcade. When making a list of corporate retreat ideas for small groups in Mountain View, be sure to add Golfland.
Learn more about Golfland.
18. Baylands Nature Preserve
Nature lovers will be in their element with an afternoon at Baylands Nature Preserve. This 1,940-acre marshland located in nearby Palo Alto is ideal for birdwatching and spotting migrating flocks winging their way through the seasons. The preserve is one of the West Coast’s most ideal birding locales. Teams on the move can enjoy 15 miles of walking trails and experience the rustic conceptual art and stunning vistas of Byxbee Park, located within the preserve boundaries.
Learn more about Baylands Nature Preserve.
19. Crepevine
Delicious times await you at Crepevine, a family-style restaurant specializing in wholesome cuisine made from local ingredients. Your group can settle in for a leisurely brunch or enjoy a hearty lunch spread. As the clever name suggests, their specialty is crepes, though they offer a full menu featuring pasta, omelets, and sandwiches to cover just about everyone’s tastes. Outdoor seating on the patio allows diners to soak in the glorious NorCal weather as they linger.
Learn more about Crepevine.
20. ArtCircle Studio
Teams looking to add an artistic flair to their retreat should stop by ArtCircle Studio. ArtCircle works with corporate teams to create a fun team building experience. Packages include time at the studio, canvases, paint, art materials, and facilitation. The venue offers coffee and water, and folks are welcome to bring their own refreshments as well. At the end of this experience, teams will have a stronger bond and a beautiful piece of art to take home.
Learn more about ArtCircle Studio.
21. Molly MaGees
Since 1997, Molly MaGees has been Mountain View’s premier Irish pub. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of Irish and American whiskeys. The pub also has a full bar with beer, wine, and other liquors. Plus, Molly’s offers fun seasonal cocktails. Teams can enjoy live music from different DJs each weekend. There is also a large back patio to enjoy in nicer weather. After grabbing a drink, folks can play a few rounds of pool. The pub does not have its own kitchen but welcomes customers to bring their own food or order takeout.
Learn more about Molly MaGees.
22. FireWorks Ceramics
To add a quick and fun activity to your retreat, check out FireWorks Ceramics. This to-go ceramics studio creates packages you can bring back to your office. Teams can reach out to order the ceramics, paint, and painting supplies. Once folks finish their pieces, they can drop them back off at FireWorks. Then, the studio will glaze and fire the pieces, and teams can pick them up in a week. You could even pick up a set and bring it to the park to paint in nature! You can order as many supplies as you need, making FireWorks a great choice of corporate retreat ideas for big groups in Mountain View.
Learn more about FireWorks Ceramics.
23. Transform Fitness Studio
If you are looking to burn off some energy after a long day, then consider stopping by Transform Fitness Studio. You can add one of the firm’s many courses to your retreat agenda. Courses are based around the Megaformer, which is a machine that uses slow movements for a low-impact, high-intensity workout. Classes last 45 minutes, and teams can start by checking out the the Beginner Megaformer program.
Learn more about Transform Fitness Studio.
24. Hacker Dojo
If you need a place for an innovative team meeting during your retreat, then check out Hacker Dojo! This venue offers around-the-clock access, so folks can meet whenever it is convenient. Teams will find free coffee and tea, meeting rooms, hardware labs, and computer setups. Plus, Hacker Dojo hosts regular events, like Nerd’s Open Mic Nights and Hacker Conferences. Whether you are looking for a space to work on a new startup or just innovate with your team, Hacker Dojo is a top spot.
Learn more about Hacker Dojo.
Conclusion
Mountain View is about more than just Silicon Valley. This idyllic Northern California region provides great opportunities for teams to get together and build real connections outside the workplace. Whether the crew is sharing a creative meal, exploring historic sites, or pedaling bikes through the scenery, the options for team building activities are nothing short of breathtaking!
Next, check out corporate event ideas in Mountain View and team building activities in Mountain View.
Grace He