Think team building means boring meetings and uncomfortable group activities? Think again! In Yolo County, you can connect with your team while participating in experiences you won’t find anywhere else — all while having fun in the process.
Of course, Yolo County has its share of conventional meeting spaces, including state-of-the-art conference rooms and hotels with all the bells and whistles. But it also has unique venues that your team won’t soon forget, from rustic wineries and tasting rooms to flower farms and museums. Following are some hidden gems to explore in Yolo County for your next team building event.
Team Building in Woodland
The HIVE
Located in Woodland, The HIVE is a honey-themed restaurant and tasting room known for its selection of honey and mead. It’s a 20,000 square foot facility with indoor and outdoor spaces, meaning there’s plenty of room for your entire staff. It’s also a net zero energy facility, so your visit will have minimal impact on the environment. They offer tours of their production facilities and pollinator garden, as well as guided honey tastings.
Team Building Experiences in Winters
Berryessa Gap Vineyards
If you’ve got wine lovers on your team, consider hosting your next team meeting at Berryessa Gap Vineyards in Winters. Not only do they offer wine tastings, but they also offer tours of their vineyards and production facility. During harvest season, you can see how the winegrapes are harvested and pressed. They also offer a special Legends Collection Wine tasting, a curated sampling of their estate-grown, small-batch red blends.
Patio 29
Arrange for a private tasting of award-winning, hand-crafted spirits or a distillery tour at Patio 29 in Winters. Learn about locally sourced ingredients, how spirit is aged or flavored, and how small match methods contribute to distinct aromas and character.
Team Building Venues in the Yolo Countryside
Séka Hills
Perhaps your team may be interested in a different type of tasting experience: olive oil. At Séka Hills in the beautiful Capay Valley, you can sample the many olive oils they produce, as well as flavored balsamic vinegars, honey, and wine. You can also tour their 14,000 square foot olive mill to get a behind-the-scenes peek at how olive oil is made. They have a deli onsite and can coordinate catering for larger team building events.
Capay Valley Lavender
A lavender garden may not seem like the typical spot for team building, but in Yolo County, it makes for a one-of-a-kind experience. At Capay Valley Lavender, you can stroll the fields, cut your own blossoms, and explore their Monarch Butterfly habitat. You can also taste lavender-infused treats such as scones and lemonade. Although the lavender blossoms are at their full peak in early summer, you can also visit during the fall and spring and enjoy a catered lunch in their shaded picnic area.
Park Winters Flower Farm
Lavender isn’t the only flower growing in Yolo County. At the Park Winters Flower Farm, you can wander acres of seasonal blooms such as cosmos, zinnia, and daisies, and pick your own bouquet. They also offer garden and farm tours. There are plenty of options when it comes to venue space at Park Winters. They have both indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, an open-air barn, and a historic mansion. They also offer catering and bar service.
West Sacramento Team Building Locations
Drakes: The Barn
If you’re looking for an all-in-one location for your next team building event, look no further than Drakes: The Barn. The two-acre gathering spot sits along the river in West Sacramento with views of downtown Sacramento. They have a covered outdoor patio, a shaded beer garden with picnic tables, an indoor cocktail lounge, and an expansive lawn complete with games. Catering options range from small bites to pizza, barbecue to salad. You can also add on beer, cider, wine, or cocktails.
River Fox Train
For a truly unique team building experience, consider hosting your event on the rails! The River Fox Train, which boards from West Sacramento, has several options for groups, including club-style lounge cars and dining cars. They offer special themed trains, including a boba tea train, wine train, and a murder mystery train. New this year is the Yolo Explorer Train, which takes riders through the scenic Yolo County countryside with views of sunflower fields, walnut orchards, and rustic barns.
Team Building in Davis
Great Bear Vineyards
Spending a day among the vines and gardens at Great Bear Vineyards is a great way to unite your team. Located in Davis, the venue offers private and semi-private spaces, including a courtyard garden, winery terrace, and a large barn. They offer a range of winery experiences, including wine tasting, winery tours, cooking classes, and wine and food pairings.
U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame
Another one-of-a-kind venue for your team building event in Yolo County is the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. Located in Davis, the museum depicts the nation’s cycling history. The museum has vintage and antique bicycles on display as well as photographs and other memorabilia. They offer several spaces for private events, and a docent is provided. If you’d like to learn more about the history of bicycle racing, they can also arrange historians, industry experts, and Hall of Fame members to speak at your event.
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum
Part of U.C. Davis, the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum is a unique venue to bring your team together. Not only do they have great art to explore, but they also offer private event spaces, including an art garden, shaded courtyard, and a community education room. You can reserve one or all of the spaces to create a venue that is right for your team building event.
Yolo County: A Hidden Gem for Team Building
Sure, you could stick with a typical team-building event — but why settle when Yolo County offers so many unique experiences? From the outdoorsy to the artsy, Yolo County is full of hidden gems perfect for bringing your team together. These experiences offer more than a day of fun — they also strengthen your team by fostering collaboration and boosting team morale.
If you’re planning a multi-day retreat, there are many lodging options in Yolo County. Whether you’re organizing a laid-back day or a more formal corporate event, Yolo County is sure to have a venue that meets your needs.
