Team off-site in Santa Cruz

Boost team spirit and get work done

Within a short ride from the Bay Area, Santa Cruz is a perfect spot for your next team off-site. Startups and tech teams come from all over the world to live, work and enjoy the coastal lifestyle.

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Why 

Santa Cruz

?

Why choose 

Santa Cruz

for a retreat?

Santa Cruz is the hometown of the Californian “surfer dude.” The 29 beaches that surround the city are great for many fun (and often stress relieving) team building activities like surfing, paddleboarding, mountain biking, and beach yoga.

You will stay in the center of Santa Cruz within a short distance from the beach, coffee shops, grocery stores, hip restaurants, wineries and cool bars.

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Team building activities in

Santa Cruz

We've put together a list of

team-building activities for company retreats in

Santa Cruz

, including options that work well for both small and large teams.

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Surfing in Santa Cruz
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Kayaking in Santa Cruz
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Brewery Tour in Santa Cruz
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Sailing Tour in Santa Cruz
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Wall Climbing in Santa Cruz
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Whale Watching in Santa Cruz
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Tie-Dye Workshop in Santa Cruz
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Drumming Workshop in Santa Cruz

Sample

Santa Cruz

Retreat Itinerary

Set along West Cliff Drive, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and nearby redwood forests, this Santa Cruz retreat agenda brings together outdoor team activities, focused sessions, and relaxed coastal evenings.

Day 1: Arrival & Beachside Welcome

Easy arrival, ocean air & casual kickoff

  • 13:00–17:00Airport transfers & hotel check-in (Downtown or West Cliff area)
  • 18:00–19:30Sunset stroll along West Cliff Drive
  • 20:00–22:00Group dinner at a local coastal restaurant
  • 22:00+Optional bonfire or relaxed beach hangout

Day 2: Work & Coastal Activities

Focused sessions with outdoor breaks

  • 08:00–09:00Breakfast at hotel
  • 09:00–10:30Plenary session (team goals & alignment)
  • 10:30–11:00Coffee break
  • 11:00–12:30Breakout workshops
  • 12:30–14:00Lunch near the hotel
  • 14:00–16:00Main activity: Beginner surf lesson or paddleboarding session
  • 16:00–18:30Free time (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk or relaxing)
  • 20:00–22:30Dinner in Downtown Santa Cruz

Day 3: Nature & Final Evening

Light exploration & team connection

  • 08:00–09:00Breakfast at hotel
  • 09:30–10:30Wrap-up session & reflections
  • 11:00–14:00Main activity: Scenic coastal e-bike ride
  • 14:00–18:00Relaxation time (cafés, beach, or shopping)
  • 20:30–lateFarewell dinner with ocean views

Day 4: Departure

Easy wrap-up

  • 08:00–10:00Breakfast & informal chats
  • FlexibleDepartures & transfers

United States retreat experiences

FAQs about company retreats in

Santa Cruz

What makes Santa Cruz a good destination for a corporate retreat or team offsite?

Santa Cruz is a strong choice for teams that want a coastal California setting with a relaxed, outdoorsy feel. It combines beach access, redwood forests, and a casual atmosphere that helps teams unwind while staying productive.

How easy is it to reach Santa Cruz for a team retreat?

The closest major airport is San Jose International Airport (SJC), about 45 minutes by car. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is around 1.5 hours away, offering more international connections for distributed teams.

When is the best time to plan a team retreat in Santa Cruz?

Late spring through early fall, especially May to October, tends to offer the best weather, with temperatures between 64–77°F. Summers can be busy, while winter is quieter but may bring cooler, foggier conditions.

Which areas are best to stay in Santa Cruz for a company retreat?

Downtown Santa Cruz is convenient for walkability and dining, while Westside offers a more laid-back local feel. Capitola, just 10 minutes away, provides a colorful seaside setting with a slightly slower pace.

What activities can teams include in a Santa Cruz retreat?

Popular options include surfing or paddleboarding, hiking in the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park, beach games, wine tasting in nearby Santa Cruz Mountains, and boardwalk visits.

Is Santa Cruz suitable for combining work sessions and outdoor activities?

The area is well suited for this balance. Teams can schedule meetings in the morning and easily transition into outdoor activities like beach time or forest hikes in the afternoon.

How long should a company retreat in Santa Cruz last?

A 3 to 4 day retreat is common. This allows time for structured work, one or two key activities, and some downtime to enjoy the coastal environment.

What makes Santa Cruz different from San Francisco for an offsite?

Santa Cruz offers a more relaxed and nature-focused experience compared to San Francisco. It’s better suited for teams that want fewer urban distractions and more time outdoors.

What kind of food experiences can teams expect in Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a strong local food scene, with fresh seafood, farm-to-table restaurants, and casual beachside dining. Teams often enjoy group dinners with ocean views or visits to local breweries.

Can Santa Cruz accommodate both small and large company retreats?

Santa Cruz is generally better suited for small to mid-sized teams. Larger groups can be accommodated, but may need to split across multiple properties or nearby areas.

💛 Wall of love 💛

We recently worked with Surf Office to plan an offsite for our team in Sintra, Portugal and the experience was excellent. Elke went above and beyond throughout the entire process, even driving to visit the location herself to ensure everything was perfect. She was instrumental in securing a restaurant that opened exclusively for our group, making the experience truly special. The hotel was lovely, with breathtaking views that provided the ideal backdrop for both work and relaxation. The space was perfect for connecting, brainstorming, and fostering team collaboration. Every detail was thoughtfully managed. We would wholeheartedly recommend Surf Office to others looking to host memorable and productive retreats!

Natasha
Chief Human Resources Officer

Romane LeBrec-Foulatier was a fantastic partner in planning this event. She did a wonderful job of introducing the planning project via Coda and then was extremely helpful and conscientious in helping us plan toward the event. I always felt that I could depend on her follow-up and she was clear and articulate in her guidance. She was also proactive in flagging items that needed extra consideration or in raising potential issues with the schedule or venue or planning. We really loved the Coda site that she created to for planning and also the Coda dashboard that we shared with the team; the team found it very helpful as well. Lastly, Romane was critical in helping on our last day in France when the taxi drivers were on strike - she very quickly implemented a contingency plan and helped us communicate it to the team through the Coda site. Similarly. Álvaro Pérez-Segnini was very helpful in helping us choose the Chantilly location. He understood the parameters of the offsite and got back to us with multiple proposals in a limited time frame. He helped us understand which option would be the best for us and he helped us negotiate the best space and the best price.

Jen
Operations and Administration

Great offer - hotel did fit perfectly with our expectations. Danielle who took care about our company did a great job, was super available before the event and was a great help to accommodate with every impediment and change we faced and find the best solution for us. Also during the event, she was always available to make our stay a awesome moment.

Jean
Senior Director of Engineering

We had such a fantastic experience working with SurfOffice! It was our very first time getting external support for our company retreat – and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner. From the very beginning, we felt incredibly well taken care of. The regular check-ins helped us go through every detail and made sure nothing was overlooked. And in the end, everything turned out exactly as we had hoped! The implementation was seamless, and the SurfOffice team was always there to support us – even during the retreat itself. A huge thank you for your time, effort, and amazing support. You truly made our retreat an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to work with you again next year!

Victoria
Operations & Office Manager

We had an amazing experience! Everything was perfectly organized from A to Z. As a vegan company, it’s usually quite difficult to find places that can fully accommodate our needs — but the Surf Office team handled everything with ease. They weren’t afraid of any request, preference, or extra thing we asked for. The communication was smooth, fast, and friendly throughout the entire process. We truly appreciated the attention to detail and how flexible and supportive the team was. We can’t recommend them enough!

Elya
Executive Assistant

I have just wrapped up my fourth annual retreat with Surf Office, this time hosted in Mallorca, and as always they created the perfect experience for myself and my team. Our sales representative Giselle was brilliant, she listened to what we needed and came back with venue options that were perfect for our budget and vibe. Romane was my main contact throughout for the logistics. We had some last-minute changes and she managed everything like a pro, even securing us refunds when we had a cancellation. This is why I keep coming back to Surf Office for our annual event. They actually care about making the retreat something special. It's that personal touch that makes all the difference.

Claire
Head of Operations and Community

We recently worked with Surf Office to plan an off-site retreat for 105 people, and the experience from start to finish was absolutely seamless. From the initial proposal stage, through planning, to on site support, everything went perfectly, and we honestly couldn’t have done it without them. A special thanks to Alvaro and Elke. Alvaro was our initial intro to Surf Office, and working with him on proposals for the retreat was a pleasure. He understood our needs and helped shape the retreat options. Once the planning stage began, Elke took over as our retreat planner. She made everything feel completely in hand and ensured that every detail was looked after. Nothing was ever too much to ask. On site, Fernanda and Bibi were fantastic. With their support, everything ran super smoothly, and we had all the help we could possibly need. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, everyone LOVED the trip! A huge well done to the whole team. We couldn’t recommend them enough.

Kevin
CEO

Our team had an amazing experience working with Surf Office. From the very first conversation, their team was incredibly communicative, organized, and attentive to every detail. They made the entire retreat-planning process smooth and stress-free from venue coordination to activities and logistics, everything was handled with care and professionalism. What really stood out was their responsiveness and ability to anticipate our needs before we even mentioned them. It’s clear they truly understand what makes a company retreat successful. If you’re looking for a partner who combines efficiency, great communication, and genuine hospitality, look no further than Surf Office. We couldn’t recommend them more!

Ierusha
Sr Executive Assistant

I had a wonderful experience working with the SurOffice team. I’d like to specifically highlight Raquel and Giselle, who have been incredibly supportive from day one. They were always proactive in checking in, handling last-minute requests, and doing so with the utmost professionalism and politeness. This was my second time working with the team, and it was an absolute pleasure. I would definitely look forward to collaborating with them again in the future.

Sandhya
HR Operations Manager

Team building activities

The most popular team building activities are surf lessons, SUP lessons and tapas night but there are plenty more to choose from.

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