So, you want to build high-performing teams but are unsure what to do next? Many managers and leaders face this problem. To exacerbate the situation, this ubiquitous issue has several pursuable solutions.

However, few options add a positive and exciting effect as much as a corporate retreat. Corporate retreats allow your team to go offsite to engage in team-building activities, have a bit of fun, work on personal wellness and professional goals, and move and take a huge step forward in camaraderie.

If your business is in the San Francisco Bay area, you’re spoiled for choice. This area of California is rife with company retreat locations, each offering activities for all types of budgets. Discover the benefits of offsite team-building with some of the best corporate retreat venues near San Francisco — as well as Santa Cruz, San Jose/Silicon Valley, and Oakland.

The 8 Best Corporate Retreat Venues Near San Francisco

Northern California is a retreat destination for a reason. From glamping to high-end retreat experiences, corporate retreat locations in this area cater to all types of company getaways and events.

The area's beauty, diversity, and serenity also make it ideal for a corporate event, regardless of your needs. With easy access from San Francisco, some of the best corporate retreat venues near San Francisco are sure to have all the amenities you need for a top-notch team-building experience.

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1. Cavallo Point Lodge | Sausalito, California

Accommodation: 142 guestrooms and suites

Cost: $$$

Food & Drink: Two onsite restaurants serving sustainable, locally sourced meat and produce; private dining available

Activities: Cooking classes, hiking, painting, fitness boot camps, bocce, croquet, cornhole/bags

Distance from San Francisco: 9 miles; 30 min drive

Located across the Golden Gate Bridge from the city, Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito takes your team offsite and into nature without wandering too far from the roost. It offers over 14,000 square feet of meeting rooms and event space, perfect for 200 to 300 people, as well as high-end A/V — including high-speed Wi-Fi, drop-down screens, and built-in sound.

As one of the best corporate retreat venues near San Francisco, Cavallo Point also boasts numerous onsite activities, including cooking classes — a unique team-building activity everyone can enjoy together.

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2. AutoCamp Russian River | Sonoma County, California

Accommodation: Glamping at its finest with a mix of campers, Airstreams, and luxury tents

Cost: $$

Food & Drink: Onsite general store; bringing your own food is recommended, but cookware and grills are available

Activities: Hiking, biking, swimming, wine tasting, kayaking, live music, yoga

Distance from San Francisco: 75 miles; 1 hr 30 min drive

Nestled in the heart of Redwood National Park, AutoCamp Russian River is a frontrunner for one of the most distinctive and best corporate retreat venues near San Francisco. Though the venue has indoor space, the outdoor meeting spaces and “conference rooms” are set beneath the canopy of giant redwood trees, providing one-of-a-kind inspiration for your brainstorming sessions and team activities.

Take note that AutoCamp Russian River is a bit more on the rustic side. Well-appointed campers, Airstreams, and tents plug the gap between luxury and camping, but you’re still almost one with nature. Organize unique activities such as mushroom foraging or canyon climbing to get the most out of your visit to this Northern California gem.

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3. Long Branch Saloon & Farms | Half Moon Bay, California

Accommodation: 25 to 300 guests

Cost: $$

Food & Drink: Catered with Western and American classics; kettle corn stand, ice cream parlor, and saloon onsite

Activities: Biking, axe throwing, miniature golf, hiking trails, beer yoga, camel rides, horseback riding, lasso practice, live music, s’mores station, and more

Distance from San Francisco: 36 miles; 45 min drive

Just a 1-mile drive from California’s Pacific shores, Long Branch Saloon & Farms combines the Old West with modern-day amenities. Team-building is the strength of this venue, providing everything from axe throwing to a chicken drop — yes, that’s putting a friendly wage on where a chicken poops on a numbered board.

With natural beauty, seclusion, and a rustic charm, it’s safe to say that Long Branch’s mix of scenery, ambiance, and activities is unmatched by any other venue in the San Francisco area.

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4. Carneros Resort & Spa | Napa Valley, CA

Accommodation: 86 farmhouse-inspired cottages, suites, and private homes

Cost: $$$

Food & Drink: Three onsite restaurants offering everything from freshly made donuts to locally made blue cheese

Activities: Yoga and pilates, hot air balloon ride, spa treatments, and wine tastings; plenty of wineries nearby

Distance from San Francisco: 47 miles; 1 hr drive

Rolling hills and vineyards surround Carneros Resort & Spa, providing a special atmosphere for your next team retreat. Ideal for a relaxing visit, your team can visit the onsite spa, sip wine near the adults-only Hilltop Pool, or visit the nearby towns for knickknacks or offsite team-building.

Choose from nine indoor or outdoor meeting spaces, totaling 35,000 square feet and featuring all the tech, video, and audio features you need. Activities include sabrage, bocce, pickleball, wine blending, and more — unique activities your team is sure to love.

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5. Lodge at Marconi | Marin County, California

Accommodation: 45 rooms

Cost: $$

Food & Drink: Two onsite restaurants with regionally inspired cuisine

Activities: Kayaking, horseback riding tours, elephant seal viewings, safari tours

Distance from San Francisco: 50 miles; 1 hr 10 min drive

Consistently ranked one of the best corporate retreat venues near San Francisco, the Lodge at Marconi in nearby Marin County is a retreat center unlike any other. The lodge is set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Tomales Bay and has indoor or outdoor venues to suit your tastes and budget. Eight meeting spaces can accommodate 30 to 250 people, giving companies of all sizes an intimate place for co-workers to mingle, do activities together, and grow stronger as a team.

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6. Alila Ventana Big Sur | Big Sur, California

Accommodation: 54 rooms and suites; glamping available

Cost: $$$$

Food & Drink: Two restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with fare rooted in the style and flavors of California’s Central Coast

Activities: Knife making, trail running, hiking, yoga, pilates, swimming, axe throwing, soapmaking

Distance from San Francisco: 150 miles; 2 hr 40 min drive

Alila Ventana Big Sur is a full-service resort with five-start amenities and event planners to help you create the best team-building or leadership retreat possible. Depending on your team’s tastes, you can opt for guestrooms and suites in the hotel or a full glamping experience, complete with luxury tents and outdoor meeting spaces.

Nine different meeting spaces, set in the wilderness or overlooking Big Sur, have over 7,000 square feet of meeting space. Interesting activities such as knife making and trail running differentiate Alila Ventana from other spaces. With so much to offer, it’s one of the best corporate retreat venues near San Francisco.

7. Beacon Grand | San Francisco

Accommodation: 416 guestrooms

Cost: $$

Food & Drink: Onsite restaurant; afternoon tea available

Activities: Exploring the city, including the nearby neighborhoods of Union Square, Chinatown, SoMa, and Nob Hill

Distance from San Francisco: In the heart of the city

A corporate retreat at Beacon Grand in the Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco is the equivalent of a staycation. You’re never more than a cab or trolley ride away, making it the best corporate retreat venue near San Francisco due simply to logistics.

With thousands of square feet of meeting space, you can organize your own retreat and activities and let people loose in the city for the day. If urban settings are more your vibe, Beacon Grand is a great option.

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8. Camp Navarro | Navarro, California

Accommodation: 32 cabins; room for up to 145 people

Cost: $

Food & Drink: Set menu Thursday through Sunday; you can bring your own food or contact the venue for catering options

Activities: Hiking among the redwoods, hammocks, bocce, giant Jenga, swimming, rope swinging, bags/cornhole

Distance from San Francisco: 130 miles; 2 hr 30 min drive

Easily the winner for the most affordable corporate retreat venue near San Francisco, Camp Navarro is rustic living at its finest. Originally launched as a tech-free summer camp for adults, this retreat location has hosted companies such as Google, Red Bull, LinkedIn, Reddit, and more.

The camp offers space for up to 145 people across 32 cabins, and the 260-acre ground provides plenty for your team to hike and explore. Despite its remote location, Camp Navarro still has high-speed Wi-Fi, should you need it. Activities include lawn games, a rock-climbing wall, educational hikes, and bonfires.

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How Unicorn Labs Can Help You Plan the Perfect Team Retreat

Just hours away from California Wine Country, natural beauty, and an immersive outdoor experience, these best corporate retreat venues near San Francisco have plenty to offer.

But even if you choose the venue, what’s the next step? Solving this issue is one of the major hurdles for many companies. That’s when Unicorn Labs can help.

Over the past decade, we’ve helped companies find the perfect retreat/event venues, plan activities, and organize the retreat from start to finish. It’s one of the favorite parts of our business, no matter what your budget or team’s tastes.

Schedule your free retreat planning consultation with us today, and we'll help you create an unforgettable experience your team will never forget.