Planning Newport Beach group activities is pretty effortless with a year-round Mediterranean climate and stunning bay-to-beach location that encompasses miles of pristine coastline, a world-class yachting harbor and a scenic nature preserve. There are so many options to have group fun and team-building activities.

Situated along the Pacific coast with plenty of beaches and bays, Newport Beach offers an abundance of water and land-based activities for groups. Looking for great Newport Beach Group Activities to bolster morale and bond your team? Read on to learn how your group can enjoy our coastal playground and “live like a local”, if only for an offsite or two!

Unique Fun Group Activities in Orange County and Newport Beach

Southern California is fortunate to enjoy the endless natural beauty and a climate that’s equally swoon-worthy. From Los Angeles to San Diego, our pristine coastline is an idyllic setting that draws large groups of locals and visitors to play in the year-round sunshine. But one coastal oasis, in particular, offers small groups a huge variety of fun team-building activities: Newport Beach! Once known as the “Hamptons of Hollywood”, Newport harbor hosted golden-age stars and starlets cruising the harbor in beautiful yachts. Today, team-building activities like sailing regattas or sunset wine tasting while admiring a-list homes is in vogue.

Incredible team bonding doesn’t always have to float, however. Fresh ocean breezes can cool your group’s hike along picturesque coastal trails, or leave the beach behind with a zippy electric bike ride around town. Whether your style of team-building exercise is hitting the links or the trails, Newport Beach offers endless opportunities for you to make memories with your crew!

Water-based Newport Beach Group Activities

Sailing

Take part in Newport Beach’s yacht culture while you test your crew’s mettle! There’s no better way to encourage collaboration and communication than with a team-building regatta. Not to worry: no sailing experience is necessary and a coach is on board to help steer your team to victory!

Whale Watching

Catch these powerful-yet-graceful beauties as they migrate down the coast. Newport Beach offers the highest-rated Southern California cruises, complete with super RIB boats. They’ll ensure a quick trip to where the action is, and thanks to their design, will ensure your group is up close to these magnificent creatures.

Harbor Cruising

Remember the Hamptons of Hollywood reputation? Get on board (literally) with an a-list experience and charter the Wild Goose, John Wayne’s former yacht. Looking for a chic way to cruise with smaller groups? Rent an electric Fantail vaulted boat and cruise the harbor until your group is ready to dock and dine like a local.

Outrigger Canoe

Looking to get your group in sync again? Outrigger canoe group team building is for you! Picture smiling crew members (12 or 18 per boat) as they cut through the peaceful waters of the Back Bay Estuary. That’s an activity you can truly get behind!

Kayak

Slide, paddle or float your way through wetlands teeming with quiet beauty. A 2-hour guided kayak tour could be just the thing to bring your team back to their good-natured selves.

SUP

Get ready to glow with pride when your team gushes about this activity! SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) is a favorite way for locals to get fit in the harbor. SUP Glow, an LED paddle adventure, was established in Newport Beach for groups looking for a more illuminating nighttime experience. Book early to snag this unforgettable adventure!

Surfing

Featured in the movie “The Endless Summer”, The Wedge is Newport Beach’s best spot to watch experienced surfers brave the most challenging waves on the west coast. For the rest of us, Blackies Beach near Newport Pier is a calmer place for your group to grab a board and try their hand at surf lessons. Hang 10 with your group of up to 25 with Orange County’s #1 surf school!

Fishing

Over 30 miles of ocean lie between Newport Beach and Catalina Island, making this “channel” heaven for all types of anglers. Just try to reel in your group’s enthusiasm as they catch their fill of Calico Bass, California Halibut, Yellowtail Amberjack, multiple types of tuna, and barracuda. Charter anything from a half-day to multi-day private excursion…quite the hook to bolster attendance!

Land-based Newport Beach Group Activities

Trail Biking

From peaceful, winding trails through nature preserves to rigorous paths with ocean views, Newport Beach is a paradise for cycling enthusiasts. Have a group that seeks serious mountain bike trails with the reward of sweeping coastal views? look no further than El Moro Trails and Crystal Cove State Beach. For a paved, 10.5 mile loop with estuary views, try the Back Bay Loop Trail.

Coastal Biking

Cruise the Newport Balboa Bike Trail, a 3-mile path on Newport’s Balboa Peninsula. This 3-mile path is a peaceful ride with ocean views. Give your group a “peddling pass” with the speedy freedom of electric bikes…you’ll thank us when you veer off the path to take a few hilly side streets!

Hiking

Seeking inspiration beyond the conference room? The tri-level views of Inspiration Point offer photo-worthy views of Newport Beach’s beautiful sunsets. Crystal Cove State Park hosts over 20 miles of backcountry hiking trails, some of which lead to a historic beach cottage district dating back to the 1940s.

Golf

Does your team have the drive to go green? You’re in luck: Newport Beach’s courses are varied and plentiful. Pelican Hill’s 36-hole, Tom Fazio-designed course boasts panoramic ocean views and a stunning natural setting. For groups that are looking for a driving range, putting and chipping green experience, the Newport Beach Golf Course is a convenient option.

Newport Beach Team Building

If your group isn’t filled with “outdoor-active types”, fear not: there are plenty of creative problem-solving activities that they can either enjoy at a leisurely pace or from the great indoors. Don’t be afraid to get them a little out of their comfort zone, however. Your group will really loosen up during an unexpectedly fun game that helps them get their guards down. Fortunately, Orange County really knows how to cook up unique team-building activities with a twist!

Cooking Lessons

Turn up some friendly fire (in a good way) with a Mystery ingredient cooking battle. There’s nothing like the sweet taste of victory when you’re team works together toward a common goal!

Scavenger Hunts

Need to entertain a large group? Have them beat the clock with a Newport Beach Strategy Scavenger Hunt. Smaller groups can get their steps (and thrills) in with an outdoor Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt. No matter which experience you choose, taking time for an exciting team-building game always delivers great memories for your attendees.

Looking for ways to incorporate a CSR focus into your Newport Beach group activities? Duffy boat scavenger hunts rated a planner favorite by California Meetings and Events Magazine, are a beautiful way to see the harbor while collecting items that can be packaged and donated.

Planning Group Activities in Orange County and Newport Beach

When considering all aspects of planning a successful Newport Beach meeting, remember to schedule a few corporate team-building activities to help fuel and sustain attendee engagement. Once you have an idea of the type of activities your group will love, there are a few final tips to ensure their experience is smooth and successful:

• Enlist help. Need ideas for a quick  30 minute teambuilding experience? Your Visit Newport Beach Destination Service Manger can assist with vendor suggestions, contact info, and overall best fits for your group size, allotted time and budget. 
• Plan early. You may need time toadjust your agenda to ensure desired quantities of gear, time slots for activities, etc. Some activities may have group size restrictions or capacities.

• Factor in time of year. Newport’s beaches are a huge draw for visitors and locals during the summer months. Consider moving inland for outdoor activities like Pedego bike rides along the Back Bay trail or an outrigger canoe excursion through the estuary to avoid crowded areas.
• Set a time limit. two hours plus transportation time will give you just enough time for most Newport Beach outdoor activities. Only have free time in the evening? During half the year, try paddle boarding at night with SUP Glow or charter a yacht and cruise the harbor.
• Hire a Duffy boat driver/guide. While anyone can drive these electric-powered boats, it’s nice to relax and have an experienced guide point out famous homeowners throughout the harbor and fun destination facts. Did you know that back in the 1940’s a Cadillac dealership would offer a plot of land on Balboa Island for $1 if you bought a new car?

Enjoy planning your Newport Beach group activities. Our recommendation: have fun trying a few out for yourself. You (and your attendees) will thank us later!