Best Team Building Activities: Los Angeles Insider’s Guide
If you’re looking for the best place to host team building events, Los Angeles is it! I’ve been facilitating events here for the last few years, and this dynamic, laid-back city still surprises me almost every single time!
LA is this beautiful place where creativity meets ambition, and you’re almost always surrounded by mountains and beaches.
This city creates a safe place where you’re just free to relax, dream big, chase opportunities, and be yourself! And it’s seriously a perfect backdrop for putting together team experiences that your employees will keep talking about for years to come.
In this insider’s guide, I’ll share my favorite team building activities in Los Angeles, complete with local tips to help your team get the most out of their experience in the City of Angels.
Why Team Building Activities In LA Stand Out
Whether you’re planning a day of fun for your out-of-town team or you’re local and just looking to strengthen bonds, the sky’s the limit with the group activities Los Angeles has to offer!
You can go from diverse neighborhoods to iconic landmarks to gorgeous beaches and then some, all in a day’s adventure.
Plus, when it comes to team building events, Los Angeles has a unique advantage that few other cities can match. It’s a combination of:
- Perfect weather
- Diverse people
- Stunning landscapes
Sometimes it sounds too good to be true (even to me), but the list just keeps going! Here’s a closer look at some of the things that make the team building activities Los Angeles has to offer special:
- Year-round warm weather: With over 280 days of sunshine every year, outdoor activities in LA are almost always on the table, which means more flexibility regardless of what month you’re hosting the event in.
- Cultural diversity: LA’s melting pot of cultures means there’s something for everyone, and it makes it much easier for teams to explore new experiences together.
- Beautiful settings: With its stunning beaches, sprawling urban landscapes, mountain views, and desert escapes—all within driving distance—LA offers variety that keeps team experiences fresh and exciting.
- Entertainment capital: Everything in LA is just buzzing with the mythology and magic of Hollywood. You can count on an ever-present creativity and possibility to energize your team members.
- Visitor-friendly: Over half of the teams I facilitate events for are visiting from out of state, and I love seeing them explore LA! This just adds an extra layer of excitement and adventure to every event.
Best Team Building Events: Los Angeles Expert Recommendations
After facilitating so many team building events in Los Angeles, I’ve realized that great locations and people make or break the experience. That said, I’ve certainly found some favorite activities that showcase the best of what this incredible city has to offer.
These experiences help teams connect in meaningful ways while experiencing LA’s unique character.
1. Corporate Film Festival
In a city synonymous with filmmaking, what better way to bond than by creating your own Hollywood masterpiece? The Corporate Film Festival is one of my absolute favorite team building ideas Los Angeles has to offer.
Your team will break into smaller “production companies” and work together to create short films using the equipment we provide. Each of these groups will work together, using delegation, communication, and budget control to produce one short film, complete with promos and a festival poster.
The magic of this event is watching colleagues discover hidden talents, tap into their creativity, and laugh together as they bring their final product to life. You’ll see reserved team members transform into charismatic actors or unsure employees reveal themselves as brilliant directors and leaders.
Best locations
- Griffith Observatory for iconic LA views
- Venice Beach for colorful street scenes
- The Hollywood Sign hiking trails for quintessential LA shots
- Urban Light installation at LACMA for artistic settings
After the event
Head to Roosterfish on Abbot Kinney Boulevard after the event for a classic setting, lots of space, and delicious food. Your team will love getting a chance to kick back, relax, and talk about their experiences, and they’ll improve their interpersonal relationships in the process.
2. Food Truck Challenge
Los Angeles famously features one of the most innovative food scenes in the country, and there are some pretty amazing food trucks leading the revolution! The Food Truck Challenge taps into this energy—your team will divide into groups to prepare delicious food truck fare and innovate!
They’ll also have to design a food truck façade, complete with brand name and logo, and compete in friendly competition for everything from taste and presentation to how creative their truck is!
I love watching teams get creative with LA-inspired cuisine, too. The crew here at TeamBonding is always happy to customize the menu, too, so you could be making anything from fusion tacos to innovative vegan dishes that reflect the city’s health-conscious culture.
Best locations
- Smorgasburg LA in Downtown (Sunday market)
- Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice for inspiration
- Grand Central Market for culinary exploration
- Arts District for a creative atmosphere
After the event
I’d recommend following this challenge by hunting down a food truck from the North Hollywood Food Truck Collective or heading to Corporation Food Hall for some delicious street food. If your team is full from the tasty dishes you made, check out Paper Tiger Bar for some delicious cocktails and good music instead!
3. Corporate Project Runway
You don’t have to be into fashion to know how integral it is to LA’s identity—from the luxury boutiques of Rodeo Drive to the trend-setting streets of Melrose, it’s everywhere. With Corporate Project Runway, your team can get in on the action!
They’ll break into smaller groups to conceive, design, and assemble their very own clothing lines, all made from a wild collection of recycled materials for extra fun.
Just like in the real fashion world, it’ll all come down to one moment of truth—a runway show! Each group must select some members to model their creations on the catwalk and others to describe and pitch their looks to the panel of judges.
I really can’t explain just how fun and funny this one is—you have to experience it for yourself to truly appreciate the contagious laughter and joy of the runway show.
Best locations
- LA Fashion District for inspiration
- Rooftop venues with LA skyline views
- Stylish hotel ballrooms in West Hollywood
- Creative spaces in the Arts District
After the event
Consider taking your team to Miceli’s after this event to celebrate and reflect on the fun. I suggest asking about reserving the downstairs room in advance to secure a nice place to relax with some good drinks and food.
Planning Your Team Building Event: Los Angeles-Style
When it comes to team building activities, LA makes everything easier with its diverse landscapes and beautiful melting pot of people. That said, it helps to have some insider tips to keep in mind to ensure a smooth experience.
Here are my top tips after spending over two years facilitating events in LA:
Transportation Considerations
Even the best team building Los Angeles has to offer will likely require some transportation planning, but if you plan ahead, it doesn’t have to be a pain. Here’s my advice:
- Remember, LA traffic is real! If you want to avoid it, plan activities within one walkable area of the city
- Consider paying for transportation between venues if you want to move around the city and see more of what it has to offer
- Schedule outdoor activities in the morning before peak heat and traffic set in
- Factor in extra travel time between locations—there are a lot of variables that can add to estimated travel times
Best Times of Year
One of the best aspects of the corporate events Los Angeles has to offer is that the weather is almost always pleasant. That said, it’s essential to take the time of year into account:
- Year-round sunshine makes outdoor activities almost always possible, but it’s best to schedule in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and heat
- January-May offers pleasant temperatures without summer crowds—it’s a great time of year for downtown activities
- October-November provides beautiful light for outdoor fun, pictures, and appreciating the views
- Avoid “June Gloom” for beach activities; it’s the morning marine layer of fog, and most locals wait to have beach fun until later in the day when it dissipates
Post-Event Gatherings
Remember, when you head out for food and drinks after team building, LA restaurants are busy! Here are some suggestions to make sure it’s a good time:
- Reserve spaces well in advance, especially for larger groups
- Consider springing for private dining options for continued team conversations
- Look for venues with outdoor spaces so your team can keep enjoying LA’s perfect weather
- Choose places with shareable dishes to continue the collaborative spirit
Want To Schedule Memorable Team Building Events? Los Angeles Awaits!
I’ve seen firsthand how these experiences transform team dynamics, uncover hidden talents, and boost morale. The unique energy of LA—creative and ambitious, yet still super relaxed—creates the perfect atmosphere for team members to truly connect and form workplace friendships.
Whether you’re a local team heading out into the city for some fun or an out-of-town team looking for an unforgettable retreat destination, Los Angeles offers team building activities that’ll do the trick. Any one of our 200+ programs is sure to provide a good time in this magical city.
The diversity of settings provides a near-endless selection of backdrops for your team’s story, and the energy will keep the fun going no matter where you’re at. It’s all about creating stories that stay with us long after the credits roll, which is what LA does best.
So, if you’re ready to take an active role in creating your team’s LA story, contact us to start planning a customized experience designed to strengthen your team and showcase the best of Los Angeles.
