We’ve run events all over San Diego, from hotel ballrooms to brewery patios to a historic church in Hillcrest. Some venues really set a team event up for success. Here are our picks for the best team building event venues in San Diego, along with why we love each one.
Hotels and Resorts
Built-in space, built-in service, and usually a view to go with it.
Bahia Resort Hotel
The Bahia sits right on Mission Bay, one block from Mission Beach. It offers more than 20,000 square feet of banquet space, outdoor terraces, custom catering, and on-site self parking.
Why we love it: This is classic San Diego, with a tropical, almost Hawaiian feel the moment you walk in. That laid-back vibe is perfect for smaller groups, and the event staff is one of the best we work with.
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas
Just steps from Moonlight Beach, Alila Marea is an oceanview property in Encinitas. Spaces work for everything from small meetings to events of up to 350, with 130 rooms on-site for overnight groups.
Why we love it: It has the feel of a boutique hotel with the space of a large resort. Its North County location makes it an easy trip for teams coming from Orange County or Los Angeles. The conference room opens right onto a patio overlooking the coastline, so it’s easy to shift a group from meeting mode to fun mode.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Tucked away in La Jolla, Estancia is a high-end resort with 47,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, on-site catering, and modern meeting tech. It has 210 guest rooms for multi-day groups.
Why we love it: Everything here feels top tier, from the food to the staff to how well the property is kept. The pueblo-style grounds have an intimate feel that gets teams of 30 to 100 relaxed and mixing fast.
Sheraton San Diego Resort
Located on Harbor Island, the Sheraton is a waterfront hotel with views of the bay and downtown skyline. It has over 1,000 guest rooms and event space for groups from 10 to 2,500.
Why we love it: For large groups, this is our top pick. It’s right across the street from San Diego International Airport, so teams can land, check in, and be together in no time. With plenty of indoor and outdoor space, it’s built for multi-day offsites. During downtime, teams can grab a paddleboard or kayak right from the hotel’s marina.
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina
Known for its panoramic water views, the Hyatt is a Mission Bay standout. It has plenty of indoor and outdoor event space, on-site catering, and a ballroom for up to 700.
Why we love it: The outdoor event space puts you right on the edge of the bay, which is hard to beat on a sunny San Diego day. The whole resort has a fun, easygoing energy, and their event team is a true partner, organized and quick to respond.
Restaurants and Breweries
Good food and a relaxed setting have a way of getting people talking.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Located in Liberty Station, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens is a brewery and restaurant with multiple bars and 40 craft beers on tap. Its farm-to-table menu is built on local, organic produce.
Why we love it: From open-air patios to private indoor rooms, Stone Brewing has room for every kind of setup, plus food and drinks all in one place. That flexibility, paired with a professional staff, means they can accommodate just about any team event format.
THE LOT La Jolla
Just a few blocks from the beach in La Jolla Village, THE LOT pairs a contemporary restaurant and bar with a movie theater. It has a relaxed, social feel that suits casual team get-togethers.
Why we love it: The open-air patio is perfect for a lunch or happy hour team event. There’s plenty of room to mingle, and the space feels private enough that groups can really settle in. As a bonus, teams can book a private screening to keep the fun going.
One of a Kind
Unexpected places that make a team event hard to forget.
Alexandria Events
Alexandria Events has three life science campuses with meeting rooms, dining spaces, patios, and lawns for groups from 6 to 600. They’re located in Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley, right in the heart of San Diego’s biotech scene.
Why we love it: It’s a true one-stop shop and one of our favorite venues to work with. Across all three campuses, you get great food, the latest tech, and a staff that stays on top of every detail. It’s everything a hotel offers, just without the hotel.
San Diego Zoo
The world-famous San Diego Zoo has indoor and outdoor event spaces set right among the wildlife. It offers on-site catering and room for groups up to 1,000.
Why we love it: Event areas are tucked into different parts of the park, so there’s a setting for just about any group size. Options range from a big outdoor party space to more intimate rooms and patios. It’s also a great pick for family-friendly company events.
The Historic Abbey
The Abbey is a 1910 church turned event venue located just outside downtown San Diego. Its stained glass domes and dark wood balconies give every event a sense of occasion. It seats up to 350, with in-house catering included.
Why we love it: One of San Diego’s hidden gems, it just feels different from anywhere else. Holiday parties, company dinners, and team celebrations all shine here. A setting like this makes a team feel special, and people will keep talking about the night long after it ends.
The Venue Is Set. Now for the Fun.
A great venue gets you halfway there. The other half is what happens once your team walks in. At Grin Events, we host team building events that get people laughing, playing, and connecting. Whether you go with one of these venues or have another spot in mind, we’d love to help plan your next team event.
Also worth a read: 20 Best Team Building Activities in San Diego
