Have you always dreamed of visiting San Francisco? Even better, are you an event planner who has always dreamed of hosting the perfect corporate event in San Francisco? San Francisco has you covered! With its rich history, vibrant and inclusive culture, and nearby bespoke destinations, the San Francisco Bay Area has something to offer every type of event planner. Whether you are looking to host an executive offsite, offsite team retreat, an incentive trip or a brand-driven customer conference, San Francisco has a range of amazing venues to offer event planners. Keep reading to discover the best ways to design an amazing corporate event in San Francisco that spotlights the best of the city.
San Francisco is an incredibly vibrant city, known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, steep rolling hills, and incredible diversity and inclusivity. With spectacular views of the Bay and San Francisco skyline, the city provides a stunning backdrop for any corporate event or team offsite. Plus, San Francisco is known as the culinary capital of the West Coast, making it the perfect place to indulge in incredible culinary experiences. From traditional restaurants to world-renowned gourmet eateries, your team will find something to satisfy everyone’s tastes.
The San Francisco Bay Area has a rich history as a melting pot of culture, art and music. The city’s vibrant neighborhoods are full of unique experiences just waiting to be discovered. From vintage shops in the Mission and Haight Ashbury to open-air markets in Chinatown, your team will find plenty of places to explore. Be sure to check out the various attractions such as the lesser known Japantown, the stunning Palace of Fine Arts, the gorgeous new Tunnel Tops Park and bonfire at Ocean Beach.
For those looking for the ultimate in luxury accommodations, there are several boutique hotels that make an ideal backdrop for team offsite ideas or corporate events. The majestic Beacon Grand Hotel offers a classic but modern San Francisco experience while The LINE Hotel features contemporary amenities with a modern twist. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path and with a view east instead of west, check out Chase Stadium's Above the Rim for an incredible private event venue that will WOW your guests. Located in Mission Bay, the rooftop terrace is a bonus that offers panoramic views of the city and its waterfront.
If you’re searching for team building retreat ideas or incentive trips for employees, look no further than Presidio. This former army base has been transformed into a vibrant district featuring hotels, the amazing new Tunnel Tops Park, new restaurants, theater and even a bowling alley. I'm always amazed how few tourists venture this far, but it's the true hidden gem of San Francisco.
San Francisco, with its golden bridge and cable cars, is an iconic city in the United States. Located at the tip of a peninsula, it is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. The area was first explored by the Spanish in 1769 and soon became the site of the famous California Gold Rush. San Francisco quickly grew into a bustling port city with a flourishing economy and population that increased tenfold between 1848 and 1858.
Many moments shaped the culture of the city. In 1852, Ghirardelli opened their first business in San Francisco, and in 1906 the city experienced a devastating earthquake and fires. In 1955, the City Lights Pocket Poets Series began publication and Allen Ginsberg read his poem Howl for the first time at the Six Gallery. The Summer of Love took place in 1967 and San Francisco Pride was founded in 1972. And in 2014, the San Francisco Giants baseball team won the World Series contest. All these moments (and many more) come together to create the San Francisco we know and love today.
Today, San Francisco is home to many of the world’s top technology companies and its iconic landmarks are instantly recognizable across the globe. This vibrant city is also known for its exciting nightlife, unique culture, and stunning views. It is a great destination for executive meetings, customer events, team retreats and offsite team building activities, offering countless possibilities for fun team offsite agendas. From exploring its history and landmarks to enjoying its modern attractions, San Francisco has something to offer everyone.
San Francisco is a city full of culture, art and unique experiences. For your corporate event, why not get a little adventurous and explore the city’s hip activities?
SFMOMA: The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is one of the most iconic art museums in the world. With a constantly evolving collection and exhibitions, it's the perfect place to discover new artists and genres of art. The museum also features guided tours, lectures and an expansive bookstore. And you can host an event there!
de Young Museum + CA Academy of Sciences: The de Young Museum located in Golden Gate Park is one of San Francisco’s oldest museums. It houses a wide variety of art from ancient cultures to modern day artists. Also nearby is the California Academy of Sciences which offers guests an interactive experience with the natural world. Both of these iconic institutions make great venues to host events.
Che Fico: Located in the heart of NoPA, Che Fico offers a warm atmosphere with delicious Italian-inspired cuisine. There is an option to rent out the entire restaurant for special events - perfect for larger corporate gatherings!
The Conservatory at One Sansome: One of the newest venues in San Francisco, this one-of-a-kind venue is located in downtown San Francisco. The glass-domed conservatory is an elegant venue for events, and features a living wall, easy access to public transportation and flexible space that feels like you're meeting outdoors with all of the comforts of the indoors.
Sailing on the Bay: For more adventurous, intimate team building or executive offsite activity, book a sailboat charter on the San Francisco Bay, one of the most iconic Bays in the world.
Marin County – Just north of San Francisco is Marin County, home to some of the most beautiful and iconic attractions in Northern California. This coastal region is filled with stunning beaches, majestic redwoods, and more. Visitors can explore the popular seaside town of Sausalito, visit Stinson Beach for some fun in the sun, explore Tomales Bay for some outdoor activities and kayaking, and spend time hiking at Point Reyes National Seashore.
Sonoma County – From the rolling vineyards of Sonoma County to the charming towns of Healdsburg and Sebastopol, there’s plenty to explore in this gorgeous region. Tour some of the best wineries in the world or take part in a cooking class at Ramekins Culinary School. For outdoor lovers, explore the hikes at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve or get a bird’s eye view of the area on a hot air balloon ride.
Napa Valley – A must-visit destination for any corporate event, Napa Valley is known for its incredible wines and beautiful landscape. Sample wines from over 400 wineries while taking in the stunning views of the valley. Visit some of the local restaurants, spas, and shopping districts for a truly memorable experience.
Monterey – Monterey Bay offers a stunning backdrop for any corporate event. Take advantage of the bay's perfect climate and go whale watching, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, golf at one of its many championship courses, kayak on Monterey Bay, explore the local shops and galleries, or spend a day on the beach.
Silicon Valley – Silicon Valley may be best known for its tech companies, but it has much more to offer than that. Explore some of the valley’s most famous tech companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook or tour some of its amazing museums and galleries, including the Computer History Museum or the Hiller Aviation Museum.
East Bay – Just across the Bay Bridge lies the East Bay, home to Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek and more. Here you’ll find a diverse array of cultural and recreational activities to explore. Go hiking in Tilden Regional Park, check out the unique shops and restaurants in Berkeley, or visit Livermore for a more casual day of wine tasting.
Santa Cruz – Located just south of San Francisco is Santa Cruz, a popular beach town filled with fun activities. Spend a day at the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk or explore its beautiful redwood forests. Enjoy wine tastings in nearby wineries, take a surf lesson or go whale watching along the coast.
San Francisco is a thriving hub of activity and a great place to host a city-wide corporate event. There are several top-notch venues in the city that cater to conventions and large gatherings. Moscone Center is the gorgeous modern convention center of San Francisco, spanning three separate buildings with a total of 1 million square feet of space. It is home to some of the largest and most successful conventions in the city, such as Dreamforce, Game Developers Conference, Workday Rising and the RSA Conference.
The Marriott Marquee is a stylish convention hotel. With over 133,000 square feet of event space, the Marriott Marquee provides a unique and luxurious setting for large events. Its amenities include modern technology and equipment, versatile meeting rooms, and spacious ballrooms, and it's within easy walking distance to Moscone.
St. Regis Hotel in downtown San Francisco also offers luxurious event space for smaller groups. The hotel offers over 15,000 square feet of meeting space and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. The St. Regis also features an impressive Grand Ballroom with a full bar and lounge area and top-end amenities and service. The St. Regis team is always a step ahead!
The W San Francisco has recently undergone a massive remodel, making it an even more attractive choice for hosting events. The hotel features over 10,000 square feet of meeting space, cutting-edge audio-visual equipment, and modern, customizable event spaces.
The InterCon Hotel in San Francisco is an ideal option for those looking to host smaller conventions or corporate events. The hotel offers over 46,495 square feet of flexible event and meeting space spread across 23 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. It also boasts high-tech A/V equipment, plus convenient on-site catering services with stellar offerings and exceptional service.
Whatever type of corporate event you’re planning, you’ll be sure to find the right venue and activities in San Francisco that fits your needs. From modern convention centers to historic landmarks, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city.
Interested in designing an amazing offsite team building experience or incentive trip in San Francisco or the surrounding area? Let's dream something up together!
