Best Team Building Activities: Orange County’s City-By-City Guide
If you’re looking for a virtual playground for team building activities, Orange County (OC) is the place to be. From Huntington’s sun-soaked beaches to Irvine’s sleek corporate landscape, this unique slice of SoCal has it all.
I’ve witnessed how OC can deliver endless opportunities for growth time and time again, whether you’re a local company seeking a change of scenery or your team is visiting from across the country.
In this guide, I’ll highlight some of the best team building events Orange County offers and provide some local recommendations for first-time visitors.
Why Orange County Is Perfect for Team Building
In my 14 years facilitating events across Orange County, CA, I’ve worked in most of its 34 incorporated cities, including popular spots like Irvine, Anaheim (home to Mickey and Minnie!), and Huntington Beach.
It has a bit of everything—stunning coastlines, upscale shopping, attractions like Laguna Beach and Knott’s Berry Farm, and more. There’s just something unique about being able to go from the beach to the city so quickly, too.
With a perfect blend of diverse business hubs, sunny weather, palm trees, and laid-back beach vibes, OC offers opportunities for relaxation and adventure around every corner.
From sculpting sand castle masterpieces on world-famous beaches to racing through Disneyland on a custom scavenger hunt, I’ll walk through my take on the top team building activities Orange County has to offer.
Here are some of the many perks of holding team building activities in Orange County, CA:
- Weather: With an average of 284 days of sunshine every year and a comfortable Mediterranean climate, Orange County provides reliable conditions for outdoor activities year-round.
- Geographical Versatility: With OC’s relatively compact area, you can host a morning meeting in a tech-forward business district and build sand castles on the beach by the afternoon.
- Accessibility: From major highways connecting the entire county to the centrally located John Wayne Airport, OC offers easy transportation that reduces logistical challenges and maximizes time spent engaged in activities.
- Coastal Vibes: Orange County’s chilled-out coastal atmosphere naturally encourages people to let their guards down and connect. Meanwhile, the innovative spirit inspires creative thinking and fresh approaches to problems.
Planning Group Activities: Orange County’s Cities
With a diverse geographical landscape and several stand-out cities, I think it’s often best to plan your OC events based on the central location of your main corporate events.
Each of Orange County’s cities has its own unique culture, history, and attractions. In this article, I’ll talk about my favorite activities in the following four OC cities:
- Irvine
- Huntington Beach
- Anaheim
- Garden Grove
These beautiful cities offer unique activities guaranteed to engage your team. You’ll be turning colleagues into collaborators and friends with the skills they need to work together in the office in no time.
Irvine Team Building Activities
As Orange County’s business powerhouse, Irvine boasts a wealth of corporate campuses and tech-forward facilities. It’s also a central location, logistically ideal for teams flying into John Wayne Airport.
The Irvine Spectrum Center provides a vibrant outdoor setting for team outings, and nearby parks offer plenty of space for more active events. If you’re coming to OC for team building, Irvine is a perfect spot for activities like these:
Shark Teams AI
Shark Teams AI is a Shark Tank-inspired team building activity that lets your entire group try their hands at product development and marketing with the help of AI. It’s a lively experience that emphasizes the following skills:
- Creative thinking
- Presentation
- Time management
- Planning and delegation
- Friendly competition
After the event, head to the Irvine Spectrum Center, one of SoCal’s most popular destinations with fantastic options for shopping, dining, and more.
Game of Drones
In Game of Drones, small groups maneuver real drones through a series of obstacles. It’s a hands-on experience that’ll get everyone engaged while improving skills like:
- Problem-solving
- Purposeful risk-taking
- Creativity and innovation
- Communication and leadership
- Agile planning
After the program, consider grabbing a bite at the Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar. You’ll enjoy excellent global cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere so your team can bond over their shared experiences.
Team-opoly
With its scavenger hunt twist on the classic, Team-opoly sends your team out into the city with oversized board game pieces to complete fun challenges. It’s a great conference breakout activity to boost morale and work on skills like these:
- Teamwork
- Friendly competition
- Communication
- Purposeful risk-taking
- Creative thinking
After the event, consider hitting up the Solstice Seasonal Kitchen & Bar for some fantastic cocktails and boardwalk cuisine. It’s the perfect spot for your team to get off their feet and chat about their adventure.
Huntington Beach Team Building Activities
Otherwise known as Surf City USA, Huntington Beach offers a relaxed atmosphere with coastal vibes. It stands out with beautiful sandy beaches, the iconic Huntington Beach Pier, and a bustling downtown area.
Whether you’re exploring the Pacific City shopping district or the endless beaches, it’s hard to go wrong in this beautiful part of Orange County. Here are some great activities to take advantage of what Huntington Beach has to offer:
Sand Sculpting
With over 10 miles of uninterrupted beaches, how could you not try our Sand Sculpting program? It’s part scavenger hunt, part friendly competition, and part adventure. It’s a perfect team bonding combo for building on skills like these:
- Strategy
- Friendly competition
- Creative thinking
- Problem solving
- Communication
After building your masterpieces, unwind by exploring the Huntington Beach Pier and enjoying fresh seafood fare at Duke’s Huntington Beach.
Just Roll With It
The Just Roll With It event is all about assembling, designing, and donating skateboards and helmets to children’s charities. They’ll have fun, help the community, and strengthen skills like the following:
- Group creativity
- Social connection
- Planning
- Communication
- Confidence
I’d recommend hosting this event at Vans Off the Wall Skatepark—it’s a living testament to OC’s deep-rooted skate history! Its central location puts you near plenty of great restaurants to enjoy after the program.
The Mystery Bus
If your team loves adventure and surprises (who doesn’t?), hop on the Mystery Bus! They’ll visit three to four locations and won’t know where they’re going til they get there. Depending on the specific locations your team visits, they’ll build skills like these:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Outside-the-box thinking
- Leadership
- Curiosity and discovery
You could end up exploring the Bolsa Chica Eco Reserve, enjoying the Main Street shopping scene, walking the iconic pier, and so much more. I’ve even taken groups on Newport Whale watching trips where we saw a bunch of dolphins!
No matter where you go, the Mystery bus is a guaranteed fun way to check out Huntington Beach.
Anaheim Team Building Activities
Out of all of the fantastic spots in Orange County, Anaheim is the primary entertainment hub.
It’s also home to Disneyland, which is literally 10 minutes away from many of our favorite venues. This includes the Anaheim Convention Center, where I’ve facilitated events for large conferences like VidCon.
Whether you’re exploring the trendy dining and social spaces of downtown or unique entertainment venues, Anaheim always makes for engaging team building experiences. Here are some top options to consider:
High-Tech Scavenger Hunt
Why not combine teamwork, tech, and OC fun with a High-Tech Scavenger Hunt at Disneyland? Your team will navigate through the iconic theme park, and as they go, they’ll be unlocking secrets and improving skills like:
- Strategy
- Leadership
- Communication
- Creative thinking
- Friendly competition
After the scavenger hunt, you could head to one of Disney’s themed restaurants to relax and reflect. Or, if you want something different, I’d recommend The Packing District—a 2-story warehouse food hall and one of Anaheim’s coolest spots.
Do Good Bus
Anaheim has a range of charitable opportunities, from nature cleanups at Oak Canyon to people-oriented outreach downtown. With the Do Good Bus event, you’ll boost your team’s morale as they improve skills like these:
- Leadership
- Trust
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Compassion
Once they’re on the bus, your team will enjoy a fun bus ride as they head to a mystery volunteer location and bond over CSR work. After the event, consider a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm to reward your team and celebrate a job well done.
Team Disc Golf
Whether you’re looking for a fun social activity or an event to help your team grow, Team Disc Golf is sure to help them build connections. It’s perfect for developing highly transferable skills like these:
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
- Decision making
- Teamwork
- Time management
I’d suggest heading to Twila Reid Park to experience Anaheim’s best disc golf spot. After the event, if you’re feeling adventurous, try Quinos in Anaheim Hills, home to the famous 3-foot burrito! Or venture a bit north to Brea, a small city filled with plenty of beautiful parks and shopping centers. One of my favorite spots here is Bruxie—they serve incredible sandwiches on waffle bread!
Or, for something completely different, check out Medieval Times or Pirates Dinner Adventure for dinner and a show.
Garden Grove Team Building Activities
With a diverse cultural history and vibrant culinary scene, Garden Grove is one of the most exciting destinations in Orange County. Its central location makes it a convenient spot for visitors looking for entertainment beyond theme parks during a visit to OC.
Garden Grove features several parks and recreational spaces, plus Disney-adjacent spots to round out the experience. Here are some of our favorite ways to get out with your team and explore everything this city has to offer:
TeamCuisine
Garden Grove is home to the country’s largest Vietnamese community, Little Saigon. Spice up your event with the TeamCuisine program. They’ll enjoy a custom Vietnamese cooking class so your team can bond, learn, and build skills like the following:
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Decision-making
- Time management
Consider browsing Little Saigon’s shops and grabbing some of its famous pho or banh mi after the event.
Corporate Survivor
Based on the hit TV show, Corporate Survivor is perfect for team building! Catch some rays at Garden Grove Park, where your team will work to outwit, outplay, and outlast the competition through tons of fun challenges as they improve skills like these:
- Leadership
- Resilience
- Negotiation
- Strategic thinking
- Collaboration
Head to Steel Craft to keep the fun going with delicious food, a relaxed atmosphere, and some friendly games of ping pong!
TeamProv
Celebrate the art and theater scene in Garden Grove with our TeamProv program. It’s one of my favorites—an interactive improv experience that helps teams bond, create lasting memories, and build soft skills like these:
- Stress management
- Empathy and emotional intelligence
- Customer service
- Presentation
- Communication (verbal and non-verbal)
After the event, consider catching a show at the GEM Theater or the Segerstrom Theatre for Broadway performances. Afterwards, grab a bite at Louie’s on Main so your team can reflect on the day over delicious burgers and sandwiches.
Unleash Your Team’s Potential in OC
Regardless of what you’re hoping to get out of these team building activities, Orange County, CA, has something to offer every group.
From high-energy adventures like the OC Fair with rides and foods to laid-back coastal bonding, you can’t go wrong in this beautiful slice of SoCal.
Trust me, after 14 years facilitating team buildings activities in Orange County, I’ve seen how its unique blend of professional environments and relaxed vibes creates the perfect backdrop for authentic connection and genuine growth.
The hiking is incredible, the people here are very active and wellness-focused, and there’s just this energetic dimension to every event. You’ll get even more out of your event when our expert team customizes your program based on your:
- Goals
- Destination
- Group size
- Time frame
- Budget
- Preferences
Ready to plan the ultimate team building experience? Let’s make it happen! Contact us today!
