photo by Amy Seder
Gatherings
The Best Spots for a Corporate Retreat in the Bay Area & Beyond
Whether you envision your company retreat as a time to encourage creativity and connection with nature, or to foster relationships and form new alliances, taking time out of the office to recalibrate and relax is always a good way...
photo by Amy Seder
Whether you envision your company retreat as a time to encourage creativity and connection with nature, or to foster relationships and form new alliances, taking time out of the office to recalibrate and relax is always a good way to keep your employees and colleagues feeling fresh. The Bay Area is a sort of Mecca for these kinds of events, as it’s home to plenty of wine country resorts, coastal hideaways, urban rooftops and summer camp style lodges. Here, we’re sharing our top picks for a corporate meeting, wellness retreat or group getaway that combines work and play in the Bay Area.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
A countryside getaway tucked into the rolling hills and towering forests of Anderson Valley, The Land offers corporate retreats in a health-forward environment that encourages connection, not only amongst peers, but with nature as well. A few days’ stay here is something unexpected: think hiking in the redwoods, yoga on the lawns, farm-to-table cooking classes and swimming in the river. There are accommodations for up to 150 people in a mix of cabins, cottages and glamping tents, but 35-100 people is the sweet spot for a corporate crew.
Explore the petrified forest, geothermal pools and baths, Old Faithful geyser, wineries and take a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards and hills of Napa during your corporate getaway to Triple S Ranch. Located in the heart of Calistoga, this property is home to a beautiful old Victorian mansion, an 1860s dairy barn that doubles as a roadhouse for events, and 10 cozy cottages.
A few hours south of San Francisco is one of Big Sur’s most luxurious getaways, Ventana that hosts group retreats that focus on wellness, connection and encouraging creativity. Here, you can host your high-level staff in luxurious guest rooms or in glamping tents. Activities include seemingly endless possibilities and there are multiple event spaces, restaurants and a spa all on the grounds.
If you’re planning a corporate retreat to the Mendocino area, a private dinner at Spring Ranch is a must-add to the agenda. This beautiful property sits right along the coast and has a cool, rustic barn that dates back to the 1840s. There’s a Victorian house that can accommodate up to 17 guests as well.
Experience a hot air balloon ride over the valley, cycle the Silverado Trail, attend a customized wine tasting – it’s all in a day’s retreat at Solage Calistoga. This upscale wine country resort offers entirely customized company retreats and plenty of indoor and outdoor gathering spaces too.
Modern architecture, gorgeous views and an incredible wine program are just a few of the highlights at this Napa winery. Here, your team can enjoy a tour of the property followed by a portfolio tasting matched with a five-course meal of fresh, seasonal and wood-fired dishes.
Corporate retreats at Camp Navarro might include morning activity options of hiking, yoga and foraging followed by a barbecue lunch by the river and an afternoon of sound healing, candle making, archery and massages. This summer camp style spot offers a collection of basic cabins and furnished tents for lodging, and has hosted corporate companies like Google, Airbnb, Everlane and more.
Library, sky deck or ballroom? Whichever space works best for your corporate off-site, Loews Regency SF is a cool, contemporary hotel that can easily accommodate some of your work crew during an overnight trip or large function. Our favorite party spot here is that 40th floor sky deck overlooking the entire bay.
Mecca for wellness retreats, Skylonda Lodge offers corporate groups a long list of options for rejuvenating mind, body and soul. Choose from a 4-day or 7-day program and your team will enjoy guided hikes, outdoor obstacle courses, restorative yoga, daily massages, wholesome and healthy meals, and plenty of time spent in the redwood forests just 20 minutes from Silicon Valley.
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Sixty spacious safari-style tents dotted along a forest bluff overlooking the Pacific coastline make camping at Mendocino Grove comfortable, cozy and a lot of fun. There’s a hiking concierge at the property, who can give your corporate crew guided hikes, and other retreat activities include yoga, bocce ball, horse shoes, canoeing and kayaking.
Set right along the Sonoma coast, Sea Ranch Lodge is comprised of 19 lodge rooms, 11 vacation homes, a solarium restaurant and a rustic old barn. A couple days of hiking the coastline and enjoying relaxing spa treatments here are sure to relax and rejuvenate any work team.
If you’re looking for a place to host an award ceremony for your company, or a private concert, meeting, symposium or product launch, don’t forget about The Warfield. Set right in the heart of the Tenderloin, this massive 1920’s theater venue is built to host events of up to 2300 guests. Could be one epic holiday party spot!
If you’re planning a corporate retreat that combines equal parts work and play, head on over to St. Helena’s Las Alcobas. The meeting spaces here range in size from private 10-person rooms to space enough for 150 attendees and all venues are equally bright, light and airy. As well, your guests will have luxurious accommodations in the heart of Napa Valley with plenty to do and see nearby.
Its spectacular location overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains makes this Palo Alto resort one of the best for corporate meetings, retreats and meals. Dine on the deck at Michelin-starred Madera with your group, or head into one of the private dining spaces if you’re looking for something more exclusive. For retreats, there’s a fabulous spa here and guests of the hotel can enjoy use of the Stanford Golf Course.
Set right along the town plaza in Healdsburg, this hotel and resort is a great getaway for a group that’s looking to explore the best of Sonoma’s restaurants, shops and wineries. There are multiple options for private dining and events on the grounds, so you can match up a best of Sonoma weekend with a formal dinner event or two.
Rock climbing, murder mystery dinners, cooking classes and lawn games are just a few of the possible activities your team might incorporate during a visit to Mountain Terrace in Woodside. This venue has both a large indoor space for meetings and meals as well as a sprawling meadow.
Calistoga Ranch makes an awesome off-site for senior staff looking to really relax and enjoy time away from the nine-to-five grind. This stunning property tucked into the hills of Calistoga feels completely secluded and features spacious villas tucked into the trees. There’s a fabulous spa and pool here for anyone who needs the R&R, and there are meeting spaces that feel anything but stuffy.
Take your work team for a round of golf on the cliffs overlook the Pacific or for a group horseback ride along the beach. Kayak tours, trips into the Santa Cruz wine region, bike rides and surfing sessions are all on the agenda during a retreat to the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. This resort also has an incredible spa and multiple meeting spaces for an event that combines work with relaxation.
The Glen Oaks Big Sur property includes an adobe motor lodge, cabins and cottages tucked into the redwoods. There’s also a roadhouse that’d be great to take over for a company dinner, and there’s plenty to do, see and enjoy nearby during a few days’ stay in beautiful Big Sur.
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If a jaunt to Tahoe is in the cards for your team, a stay at Coachman Hotel combines the best of South Tahoe with easy, comfortable work spaces and meeting spots. During the downtime, you and your colleagues can enjoy time kayaking through Emerald Bay, biking Flume Trail, hiking Mount Tallac or skiing at Heavenly.
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Monterey, California
Photo by Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Three restaurants, a day spa, a grand ballroom and gorgeous gardens are all the amenities you’ll need for a corporate getaway in Monterey. Set right in the middle of town, Portola Hotel and Spa gives guests easy access to the area for off-site adventures.
La Playa Carmel is a great spot to host a multi-day corporate retreat with wine tastings in the gardens, meetings in the coziest of board rooms, rounds of golf, and gatherings on the beach. Plus, the accommodations here are plush and comfortable.
This boutique Spanish hacienda style hotel in the heart of Napa Valley offers gorgeous and luxurious suites that are fit for your high-level team. A corporate retreat here might include an extravagant dinner in one of the on-site venues, a day filled with local winery visits and tastings, and plenty of time spent by the pool.
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