Outdoor Teambuilding Excursions and Activities Unique to California

A Grape Escape hot-air balloon adventure at sunrise.

Full Article: Outdoor Teambuilding Excursions and Activities Unique to California | Meetings Today

April 5, 2023 | Taylor Smith

Boasting some of the sunniest cities in the U.S., 280 state parks and 840 miles of coastline with more than 420 public beaches, California’s outdoor offerings are second to none.  

The one-of-a-kind opportunities to experience the natural wonders of the Golden State are abundant, from the north near Lake Tahoe down to Temecula Valley. Give your attendees the chance to see the following sights for themselves with outdoor excursions found only in California.

Temecula Valley 

Centrally located in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego sits Temecula Valley, a Wine Enthusiast Top 10 Wine Travel Destination where meeting attendees can brainstorm in a hot-air balloon basket or team build on horseback after meeting among the vineyards. 

With sunshine year-round, Temecula Valley’s outdoor offerings—from vineyards and gardens to fireside chats under the stars—draw groups of all sizes to the destination. Wineries like South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and BOTTAIA Winery offer flexible meeting spaces, onsite catering opportunities and outdoor seating like firepits, or groups can get down and dirty with team challenges including grape stomping and food and wine pairings at Wilson Creek Winery.  

Temecula also features five golf courses for a combined 99 holes, including Temecula Creek Inn’s 27-hole championship golf course and the award-winning Journey at Pechanga Resort and Casino, consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best by Golf Week magazine.  

Meetings in Temecula Valley can literally soar to new heights with A Grape Escape Balloon Adventure, offering a fleet of 16 colorful hot-air balloons that can accommodate up to 16 passengers each. The scenic flights are 60-75 minutes in length and take groups over the vineyards, wineries, lakes and citrus groves of Temecula Valley’s wine country while the sun rises over the mountains and estate homes.  

On each ride, an FAA-certified commercial pilot navigates the flight while acting as a “tour guide,” identifying local points of interest and answering attendee questions until safely back on the ground, where riders are invited to celebrate their new status as “aeronaut” over champagne and orange juice and a souvenir certificate of flight.  

For those who prefer their feet stay planted on the ground, Wine Country Trails By Horseback offers one-of-a-kind horseback riding experiences through Temecula Wine Country vineyards. The teambuilding exercise takes groups on guided tours on docile and gentle horses, and each tour is led by a seasoned guide through the “back roads” of Temecula Valley.  

Another unique way groups can experience Temecula Valley’s outdoor offerings is with Sidecar Tours. The owners of So Cal Sidecars modified the standard motorcycle sidecar to accommodate two passengers in the world’s first and only tandem sidecars, taking pairs on wine tour experiences completely different from any other in a unique, fun and intimate way. Tours offer real knowledge, history and winery recommendations.