Team Building – Blair Spangler

Whale watching

The Best time to see whales in Sonoma, from cliffs on the coast or from tour boats – is from December to April, during the annual gray whale migration. Excellent charters can be had for large groups out of SF. Other whale species such as humpback whales, orcas, and blue whales can also be seen in the area from May to November. In addition to whales, visitors to Sonoma County may also see other marine animals such as dolphins, sea lions, and harbor seals. There are also many species of birds that can be spotted along the coast, including pelicans, cormorants, and gulls.

Surfing Sonoma Coast

The best-known surf spots in Sonoma County is Salmon Creek Beach, just north of Bodega Bay, 2nd best is Doran Beach, located on the southern edge of Bodega Bay. Doran Beach is a wide, sandy beach that offers a variety of waves, including lefts, rights, and peaks. The waves here can be powerful and challenging, making it a great spot for more experienced surfers. Surf shops are in Bodega. It’s important to note that surfing on the Sonoma County coast can be challenging, especially for beginners. The water can be cold, and the waves can be powerful, so it’s essential to have the right equipment and to be aware of the potential dangers. It’s also important to respect the local surf culture and to follow proper surf etiquette to ensure that everyone can enjoy the waves safely.

Scavenger Hunt in one of the Historic Towns of Napa or Sonoma ~ Professionally built brings team members into contact with historic sites:

Scavenger hunts in one of several of the charming local towns that ensure participants learn more about the history of the town and the wine country.We have great response to these as the little villages are such perfect “stage sets” for this activity

Perfume Making

over 400 ingredients can be explored, a 10oz eau de toilette or a single note perfume can be created. Makes a wonderful souvenir from the trip available in travel sizes.
Include a Tarot reading to augment the range of the experience.

Ocean water sports

Bodega Bay is the most unique sailing area in the San Francisco Bay Area offering 5 very different sailing sites. If offers everything from a shallow water learning site to speed sailing to a radical wave sailing.The Bodega season starts in March continues to autumn. Reliable spring winds start early in the day and are easy to forecast. The spring wind typically start in the morning in the 6.0 to 5.0 range and build by midday to 18 to 30+ knots. In the summer the winds are lighter and don’t reach short board level until late afternoon, ideal days for lessons

Observatory

Name that tune around the fire

We have several options of extremely talented musicians capable of virtuoso cover stylings to challenge and delight your group around one of our fire pits – a favorite pastime for many of our visitors

Kayak, PaddleBoard, Canoe

Russian River: The Russian River is idyllic for both paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing. With its slow-moving waters, provides an excellent opportunity for beginners and endless scenery and a bounty of birds and wildlife on your waterway journey.
Lake Sonoma: Lake Sonoma offers paddle-boarding and canoeing in an exquisite setting with calm waters and stunning mountain views.
Bodega Bay: offers ocean kayaking with varied marine wildlife: seals, sea lions, and otters.
Tomales Bay: Calmer waters than Bodega, this oceanic microcosm is appropriate for all levels of kayakers with more options for birds than Bodega all the same type of water mammals.

Fishing

Lake Sonoma: is a stunning man-made lake located in northern county. It is stocked with species including bass, trout, and catfish.
Bodega Bay: a Pacific Ocean coastal fishing town offers a variety of saltwater fishing options including rockfish, salmon, halibut, and Dungeness crab. Charter boats available for hire for deep-sea fishing.
Tomales Bay: long, narrow inlet is a popular for shellfishing, including oysters and clams in western Sonoma. Anglers can also fish for steelhead trout and salmon in the bay.
Petaluma River:is a tidal river located in the southern Sonoma County that is home to a variety of fish species including bass, sturgeon, and striped bass.

Exotic Car Experience

Drive a Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Porsche, Audi, Tesla, or Nissan GTR along the glorious country roads and endless vineyards or coastal splendor of Napa and Sonoma.
1 hour or 2.5 hour tour: (choose one car to drive), 3-4 laps in each car on a world-class racetrack, a 25min safety training class, a professional instructor in the right seat during your experience, a racing helmet to use,
Half-Day or Full -DAY TOUR: Cruise along Pacific Coast Highway where you’ll find yourself weaving in towards the sea and out back to the countryside with the natural expertise of a supercar handler. Speak the language of Italian, German, and American engineering – paired with the taste of Californian wine. Drive THREE of the world’s best cars including the Ferrari 488 Spyder, Lamborghini Huracan Spyder and Porsche 911/992 GT3.
Racing experience: race exotic cars down a runway for the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. Exotic car airstrip runs can be timed to foster a healthy competition for ar team with the top run times awarded at the end of the event.

E-Biking

E-bikes provide pedal assistance make it easier to tackle hills, headwinds, and longer distances. This feature makes it easier for people of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy cycling and longer distances are possible.
E-bikes are eco-friendly as they use rechargeable batteries as their primary power source, resulting in lower carbon emissions and reduced pollution compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. E-bikes still require pedaling, which provides a good workout and can improve cardiovascular health, joint mobility, and mental health.

County Fairs are an Ideal team building event

Food-Eating Contest: Arrange a food-eating contest featuring popular county fair treats, such as hot dogs, cotton candy, or pies. Each team will nominate one member to participate, and the team whose representative finishes the food first wins.
Carnival Game Tournament: Set up a tournament using different carnival games available at the fair, such as ring toss, balloon darts, or the strongman hammer. Assign points for winning or placing in each game.
Trivia Challenge: about the county fair’s history, local area, or general knowledge. Divide the group into teams and have them answer questions in a competitive format, with the highest-scoring team winning.
Creative Photo Challenge: Assign each team a list of creative photo challenges to complete, such as “Take a photo with the largest stuffed animal prize” or “Capture your team posing as a human pyramid in front of the Ferris wheel.” The team with the most creative and entertaining photos, as judged by an impartial panel, wins.
Agricultural Exhibit Challenge: Have teams explore the agricultural exhibits and create a presentation on a specific theme, such as sustainable farming or the importance of local produce. The team with the most informative and engaging presentation wins.

Costume Ball at our Calistoga Property

The tradition of masquerade balls dates back to medieval Europe, where they were often held as part of carnival celebrations.. Guests are encouraged to build elaborate costumes from the treasures of our very own costume closet. The Calistoga Hideout is the perfect venue -historically accurate and thus a truly immersive environment evoking an experience of time travel. Specific historic characters of the Wild West can be embodied for the night. Our Calistoga in house library is full of books to choose characters from. Add an extra layer of magic with live musicians and dancing. Overall, a thrilling and unforgettable experience of time travel back to the late 1800s, where the line between fantasy and reality is blurred, and anything can happen.

Nature Photography

A nature photography class teaches the art and technique of capturing images of the natural world, including landscapes, wildlife, plants, and natural phenomena. The course covers camera basics, composition, lighting, wildlife photography, landscape photography, macro photography, and post-processing. Students also learn about the ethics of nature photography, including guidelines for minimizing impact on the environment and respecting the rights of animals and other natural subjects. The class can include hiking too exotic areas of Sonoma County including the Pacific coast.

Zip lining through the redwoods

Sonoma Zipline Adventures is high-flying adventure that will immerse your group in the unparalleled beauty of the world famous California Coastal Redwoods. From panoramic forest views to thrillingly deep ravines, get up close and personal with some of the tallest, and oldest, living things you’ll ever meet Everyone will end your tour with a deeper appreciation for the forest and our planet.

Boot Camp

The trainer can come to the property & is able to work with a diversified group and varying ranges of skill. Guests are encouraged to work with the t racer prior to arrival to design a progressive set of training sessions to best meet your goals and skill. Any combination of exercise is possible. The trainers can use what is at the property to build something very unique and challenging.

Yoga or Pilates Mat Class on our sun deck

The instructor comes to the property, is able to work with a diversified group and varying ranges of skill. You are welcome to confer with her prior to design a class to your specifications. We provide mats at all houses.

Hiking the wonders of Napa and Sonoma

There are 100’s of regional and state parks to choose from with a seemingly infinite variety of terrains and views. From redwood forests to coastal cliffs, from vineyard overlooks to the pacific ocean. We can arrange a knowledgeable local guide. Remember hiking can be combined with wine tasting, bird-watching, nature photography, etc.

Horseback Riding

Whatever your dream about horseback riding might be, you’ll probably find it in Sonoma County:
Cantering swiftly on a beautiful beach at sunset, waves crashing alongside, Comfortably astride a gentle horse that’s picking its way through a thick forest, the only sound a persistent woodpecker, trotting smoothly alongside a fast-moving, early-spring stream, a leisurely trail ride through neat rows of lush grapevines ending with a wine tasting. Anything is possible.

Bike our hills for speed and endurance

2 of our properties are located near on a ridge It is downhill all the way in both directions for the advanced rider. Some areas are rather steep on the 2 lane paved roads. Picturesque and challenging. Stop in town for lunch or a wine tasting. You can ride back up or we can arrange to collect your group and the bikes for the return. Alternatively, bikes can be rented in one of the bucolic local villages for a day on the valley floor among the vines and wineries. Guided tours between wineries can be choreographed.

Bird Watching

Many bird species frequent our rural properties. Spend an afternoon with an expert and discover the resplendent beauty of the avian world so often overlooked. This experience affords numerous competitive options for Team Building in nature and can be done at our St Helena property or in nearby parks

Casino Night

At the Calistoga property only – a Gaming Hall with regulation size billiard table. This can be converted to a craps table if preferred. We can also arrange for professional dealers who can bring in more gambling options such as a roulette wheel and more

Swimming pool games & competition

Water exercise class is fun as is floating and dreaming for hours. Each pool is different. The St Helena pool is the largest: 60 ft long vanishing edge pool is chlorine free. Because this pool is solar heated, it only is swimmable seasonally, normally too cold Nov through April. The other pools can be mechanically heated for a fee Andy time of the year.

Geocaching

This adventure involves using a GPS device or a smartphone to navigate to specific coordinates and locate hidden containers called “geocaches” or “caches.” These typically small, waterproof containers that contain a logbook where the geocacher can sign their name and date of visit as proof of finding the cache. Some caches also contain small trinkets or toys that can be exchanged or swapped. Geocaching can be done by anyone, a great way to explore and get outdoors.

Bocce in the backyard

Located near the main house and in view from the kitchen window, this is often the source of hours of friendly competition and conversation over the course of a stay at the St Helena and Kenwood estates.

Cornhole

A popular outdoor game that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Easy to learn and does not require any special skills, can be played casually or competitively. A game that can be played with teams or as individuals, and can accommodate any number of players, a great option for socializing.

Board Games

Ouija, Monopoly, Risk, Rummikub, Scrabble, Clue, Twister, Pictionary, Electronic Catch Phrase, and more. Pls inquire for specific games.

Bowling

Great for a rainy day adventure. Tour the quaint town of Petaluma and engage in some serious competition and showmanship at the state of the art lanes.

Poker and all Card Games

The Calistoga property boasts an actual Victorian Gaming Hall featuring an elevated card playing area with multiple tables that can be combined to accommodate the exact number of players. For an all out card playing weekend, tables can be set up in the Grande Room.

Have a costume Ball at our Calistoga Property

The tradition of masquerade balls dates back to medieval Europe, where they were often held as part of carnival celebrations.. Attendees are encouraged to build elaborate costumes from the treasures of our very own costume closet. The Calistoga Hideout is the perfect venue venue -historically accurate and thus a truly immersive environment evoking an experience of time travel. Specific historic characters of the Wild West can be embodied for the night. Our in house library is full of books to choose characters from. Add an extra layer of magic with live musicians and dancing. Overall, a thrilling and unforgettable experience, where the line between fantasy and reality is blurred, and anything can happen.

Painting “en plein air”

Connect with nature while developing new skills. By painting outdoors, artists become more aware of the natural world and the way that it changes throughout the day and seasons. Plein air painters must work quickly and spontaneously, often completing a painting in a single sitting. Plein air painting can be a form of meditation or mindfulness practice, helping artists to be present in the moment. Class can be out of doors or even in one of the estate living rooms with a still life arrangement

Star Gazing around the Fire

Our remote properties provide excellent dark skies for Star Gazing. We can arrange for an astronomy expert to lead you through the heavenly wonders above. Star Guides will give your group a tour of the constellations, point out particular stars, planets, and other objects in the sky, educate guests about various astronomy topics, and overall give your group a stellar experience! Star Guides will point out items in the night sky using a high-powered laser pointer, binoculars, and/or telescope.

Historian, entertainer, Poet

A local historian and entertainer will educate and entertain you group form the point of view of your chosen historical figure. Since 2001 George Webber has regaled thousands with historic re-enactment walking tours of Sonoma and Napa, wine lectures, historic events, cooking shows, and more. Performing as a variety of different characters, George Webber is a living legend in Sonoma.

Jumping for Joy

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Ghost stories around the Fire

A ghost story competition challenges participants to create engaging stories ranging from horror to mystery to fantasy. Typically the winner is chosen either via a designated judge or group vote. The competition is a spine-tingling affair, with entrants conjuring up terrifying tales of haunted houses, vengeful spirits, and cursed objects. This competition is a fabulous showcase to team members creative and imaginative talents.

Magician, Mentalist, Entertainer

World-renowned Jay Alexander’s uniquely combines classic sleight of hand with cutting-edge technology and psychology. Known for his mind-bending mentalism routines, in which he seems to read the thoughts of audience, he is also famous for his use of technology, incorporating iPads, holograms, and other digital tools. Aware that teams are hard-working., he connects with them quickly and can customize a show to include products, brand messages and specific objectives.