Los Angeles offers something most cities can’t: sunshine nearly every day, iconic landmarks clustered in walkable neighborhoods, and venues designed for groups of every size and interest. Whether you’re coordinating a corporate team retreat, planning a friend reunion, or organizing a student group outing, LA delivers diverse options for any group dynamic.
This guide breaks down 20 group activities across LA, from high-energy outdoor adventures to creative workshops and cultural experiences. Each option includes practical details on group size, budget considerations, and what makes it work for different types of groups.
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How to Choose the Right Group Activity in Los Angeles
Choosing the right activity starts with understanding your group’s size, interests, and comfort level. The best experiences happen when the plan matches what people enjoy and what the group can realistically do.
Consider Your Group Size, Budget, and Timing
Smaller groups have the most flexibility. Groups of six to twelve can book with shorter notice and fit easily into studios, workshops, or restaurants. Mid-size groups of thirteen to twenty-five need more coordination but can still participate in most experiences. Larger groups benefit from planning six to eight weeks ahead and choosing activities with space to spread out.
When calculating your budget, include transportation, meals, and any add-ons. Popular weekend experiences often sell out months ahead, while weekday mornings offer better pricing and more availability.
Match the Activity to Your Goal
High-energy options such as scavenger hunts or escape rooms work well for teams that enjoy friendly competition. Creative activities like pottery, cooking classes, or screen printing fit groups that want relaxed collaboration without physical demands. Cultural outings like museum visits or guided art tours appeal to groups that enjoy learning together.
Choose experiences that give people multiple ways to participate. A good group activity supports different personalities without forcing anyone into a role that feels uncomfortable.
Quick Decision Guide for Any Group
Start with three simple questions:
1. What is the main goal of this outing?
2. What is the realistic budget per person?
3. How much time do you have to plan?
If you want to simplify group logistics, Hollywood Bus Tours offers private sightseeing experiences that keep your group together and cover major LA highlights in one smooth route.
1. Fun and Memorable Private Hollywood Bus Tour
A private Hollywood Bus Tour is one of the easiest ways to experience Los Angeles as a group. Your guide handles the route while you relax and take in landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and the Sunset Strip. Our 13-seat open-air van is ideal for smaller groups, and our 22-seat bus keeps larger groups comfortable on the ride.
Best for: Corporate groups, out-of-town visitors, celebrations
Group size: Both small and larger groups
Duration: 2+ hours with flexibility
Budget: Starting at $499
Customization is the main advantage. You can choose the pace, add extra photo stops, or include Santa Monica for a full-day outing. It works for mixed-ability groups and teams that want an easy, high-impact activity that covers a lot of ground.
Book your private group tour of LA with Hollywood Bus Tours!
2. LA Scavenger Hunt For Friendly Competition
A scavenger hunt turns Los Angeles into a giant outdoor playground. Teams use an app to follow clues, complete challenges, and capture photos across neighborhoods like Downtown LA, Hollywood, Venice, or Santa Monica. It is fast-paced, energetic, and one of the easiest activities to scale for large groups.
Several well-known companies run highly rated scavenger hunt experiences in Los Angeles. Options like Fantastic Race and Spies Among Us offer app-supported hunts that blend puzzles, local history, and fun team challenges. These providers operate across popular neighborhoods and are often used for corporate team building. Always confirm current routes and availability directly with the provider.
Best for: Corporate team building, competitive groups
Group size: 10–100+ (teams of 4–6)
Duration: 2–3 hours
Budget: Varies by provider
Choose your neighborhood based on group personality. Downtown LA is best for architecture and hidden details, Venice offers art and beach culture, and Hollywood focuses on entertainment landmarks. Scavenger hunts work well for groups that enjoy movement and friendly competition.
3. Beach Volleyball or Sandcastle Contest in Santa Monica
Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach offer wide sandy areas and public volleyball courts, making them easy spots for group-friendly beach activities. Volleyball works well for high-energy groups, while sandcastle contests are simple, creative, and require little planning. Both locations have nearby restrooms, food options, and parking, which makes coordination straightforward. Arriving early helps secure space, especially on weekends.
Best for: High-energy groups, summer gatherings
Group size: 8–30+ people
Duration: 2–4 hours
Budget: Free to low cost
These beach activities create a relaxed, social environment where everyone can participate at their own pace.
4. Coastal Bike Ride Along the Strand
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, known as the Strand, stretches along the coastline from Santa Monica to Venice. A short group ride offers ocean views, stops for photos, and a relaxed pace that works for a wide range of fitness levels. Rental shops can prepare bikes in advance, which keeps check-in smooth for mid-size groups. Morning rides provide cooler temperatures and lighter crowds.
Best for: Active groups, casual outdoor fun
Group size: 6–25 people
Duration: 2–3 hours
Budget: $25–40 per person
A coastal ride is an easy way to experience classic LA scenery while keeping the group together.
5. Griffith Park or Runyon Canyon Hike for Large Groups
Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon are two of LA’s most iconic hiking spots, with trails that offer sweeping city views and plenty of photo opportunities. Griffith Park has several trail options for different skill levels, while Runyon’s shorter loop works well for groups that want something efficient and scenic. No reservations are required, and groups can naturally spread out at their own pace.
Best for: Fitness-focused groups, sightseeing
Group size: Any size
Duration: 1.5–3 hours
Budget: Free
Choose a clear meeting point for the end of the hike so everyone reunites easily.
6. Great Team Building Activity in LA: Escape Rooms and Puzzle Adventures
Escape rooms place small teams into themed environments where they solve puzzles and complete challenges within a set time. Most rooms hold six to eight participants, so larger groups split across multiple rooms running at the same time. Well-known LA options such as 60out Escape Rooms and The Escape Game LA at The Grove offer a variety of themes that work well for corporate groups and mixed-age teams. Always confirm availability directly with the venue, especially for weekend bookings.
Best for: Problem-solving teams, corporate groups
Group size: 6–50+ people (in multiple rooms)
Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Budget: $35–50 per person
Escape rooms provide a reliable mix of teamwork, quick decision-making, and friendly competition.
7. VR Arenas and High-Tech Gaming
Virtual reality arenas offer immersive group experiences where players work together or compete inside shared digital worlds. Most venues run games in rotating sessions, which makes scheduling easier for mid-size groups. Well-known LA options include Sandbox VR and Zero Latency VR, both offering high-production games that appeal to a wide range of participants.
Best for: Tech-savvy groups, gamers, hybrid teams
Group size: 6–20 per session
Duration: 1–2 hours
Budget: $40–60 per person
VR experiences feel fresh and fast-paced, making them ideal for groups that want something modern and memorable.
8. Immersive Theater or Mystery Dinner
Immersive theater and mystery dinner experiences place guests inside the story, blending performance with interactive elements. Some productions run open-to-the-public shows, while others offer private bookings for corporate groups or celebrations. Popular examples include Candlelight Concerts, which pair live music with intimate settings, and well-known mystery dinner venues across Hollywood and Downtown LA.
Best for: Creative groups, evening entertainment
Group size: 10–100+
Duration: 2–4 hours
Budget: $60–120 per person
These experiences work well for groups that enjoy storytelling, puzzles, and shared moments that spark conversation.
9. Pottery Class or Ceramics Workshop Activities for Small Groups
Pottery studios across LA host relaxed workshops where participants learn wheel throwing or hand-building techniques. These sessions are hands-on, calming, and ideal for smaller groups that want a slower pace. Studios like Pot LA and Still Life Studio are well-regarded options, and most provide all tools, materials, and instructor support.
Best for: Creative teams, intimate gatherings
Group size: 6–15 people
Duration: 2–3 hours
Budget: $60–90 per person
This activity encourages quiet focus and light conversation, and everyone leaves with a personal piece to keep.
10. Paint-and-Sip or Graffiti Art Workshop
Paint-and-sip studios guide groups through step-by-step artworks that anyone can follow, while graffiti workshops introduce spray-paint techniques on legal walls or boards. Both options are social, laid-back, and easy for beginners.
Best for: Social groups, celebrations
Group size: 10–40 people
Duration: 2–3 hours
Budget: $35–65 per person
These workshops blend creativity and fun, giving groups a shared experience and artwork to take home or photograph.
11. Screen Printing or Maker Studio Workshops
Maker studios in Los Angeles offer hands-on workshops in screen printing, leatherworking, woodworking, and other creative skills. Groups design and produce items like shirts, tote bags, wallets, or small wooden pieces. Hit+Run hosts structured group sessions with guidance from experienced makers.
Best for: DIY enthusiasts, creative teams
Group size: 8–20 people
Duration: 2–4 hours
Budget: $50–100 per person
These workshops create memorable, tangible take-home items that groups can personalize.
12. Cooking Classes in LA Culinary Studios
Cooking classes bring teams together in a relaxed, social setting where everyone helps prepare a shared meal. Group options range from pasta making to sushi rolling or global cuisine. Well-regarded studios like Hipcooks and Eatz LA offer private sessions with instructors who keep the experience engaging and beginner-friendly.
Best for: Food lovers, small and mid-size teams
Group size: 8–24 people
Duration: 2.5–4 hours
Budget: $80–150 per person
Cooking together encourages collaboration and leaves groups with a shared experience they can easily recreate at home.
13. Food Tours in Koreatown, Santa Monica, or DTLA
Food tours let groups explore LA neighborhoods through curated tastings while learning about local history and food culture. Koreatown food walks are known for BBQ and banchan, Santa Monica highlights coastal eats, and Downtown LA features spots like Grand Central Market.
Best for: Cultural explorers, mixed-age groups
Group size: 6–15 per guide
Duration: 3–4 hours
Budget: $75–110 per person
Food tours work well for groups that enjoy trying new dishes and discovering neighborhood stories.
14. Mixology or Zero-Proof Drink Workshops
Mixology workshops teach techniques for crafting cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks in a fun, hands-on format. Groups learn shaking, muddling, and garnishing, often while tasting their creations.
Best for: Evening social groups, corporate events
Group size: 10–40 people
Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours
Budget: $50–85 per person
This activity creates an upbeat, social atmosphere and works well as a pre-dinner or end-of-day event.
15. Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Other Group Experiences
LA’s major museums offer structured guided tours that work for small or mid-size groups. Popular locations include The Getty Center, known for its views and architecture, LACMA for its diverse collections, and The Broad for contemporary art. Many museums offer private docent-led tours that can be tailored to group interests.
Best for: Culturally curious groups, indoor activities
Group size: 10–30 per docent
Duration: 1.5–3 hours
Budget: $15–30 per person
Museum outings give groups a calm, thoughtful way to connect while exploring some of LA’s most iconic spaces.
16. Indoor Climbing or Bouldering Sessions at LA Boulders
Indoor climbing gyms offer structured group sessions that blend physical activity with problem-solving. Bouldering keeps groups on shorter walls without ropes, while top-rope climbing uses harnesses for higher routes. A well-established LA gym like LA Boulders will provide rentals, instruction, and beginner-friendly options.
Best for: Active groups, trust-building
Group size: 8–30 people
Duration: 2–3 hours
Budget: $25–40 per person
Climbing creates a supportive atmosphere where groups encourage one another through small wins.
17. Go-Kart Racing, Bowling, or Laser Tag
High-energy venues across LA combine activities like go-kart racing, bowling, and laser tag, making them easy choices for mixed-age or mixed-ability groups. Places like K1 Speed and Ultrazone Laser Tag offer large indoor spaces and group packages that fit corporate outings or casual gatherings.
Best for: Mixed-age groups, casual fun
Group size: 8–50+ people
Duration: 1–3 hours
Budget: $20–50 per person
These activities allow groups to play at their own pace while staying engaged and social.
18. Kayaking or Paddleboarding in Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey’s protected waters offer ideal conditions for kayaking and paddleboarding, even for beginners. Rental companies provide equipment and brief instruction before groups explore the marina’s calm channels. Sunset sessions are especially popular for photos and cooler temperatures.
Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, small and mid-size groups
Group size: 6–20 people
Duration: 2–3 hours
Budget: $30–50 per person
This activity offers a peaceful break from the city while still feeling distinctly “LA.”
19. Sound Bath, Spa Day, or Wellness Experience
Wellness-focused group activities give teams a chance to reset together in a calm, restorative environment. Sound baths at The Den Meditation offer guided sessions that use resonant instruments to encourage deep relaxation. For a more social option, Korean-style spas such as Wi Spa provide communal pools and saunas.
Best for: Retreat-style gatherings, stress relief
Group size: 10–40 people
Duration: 2–4 hours
Budget: $60–150 per person
These experiences help groups unwind and reconnect without any pressure to perform.
20. Rooftop Movie Night or Outdoor Screening
LA’s weather makes outdoor movie screenings a dependable group activity. Public screenings from organizations like Rooftop Cinema Club or Cinespia offer open-air films with food options and great energy. Some venues allow private rentals where groups can choose the film and set up reserved seating.
Best for: Film lovers, casual evening groups
Group size: Any size (public) or 20–100 (private)
Duration: 3–4 hours
Budget: $15–40 per person
A rooftop movie night gives groups a simple, social way to wrap up a day of activities.
FAQs About Group Activities and Fun Team Building Activities in Los Angeles
How far in advance should you book a group activity in Los Angeles?
Most team-building activities in LA and group experiences need one to four weeks of advance planning. Popular activities in Los Angeles such as escape rooms, cooking classes, or private events at museums often fill weekend spots early.
If you are coordinating a big group or a corporate event, plan six to eight weeks ahead to secure ideal times. Outdoor activities like hikes or beach outings require less notice but still benefit from early coordination.
What should groups bring or wear for a team activity in LA?
Outdoor activities call for sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes, and layers for changing weather. Indoor classes in Los Angeles, such as painting classes, pottery workshops, or mixology sessions, typically provide all tools and materials.
For a sightseeing-focused team outing, bring a phone or camera, snacks, and comfortable clothing since groups often move between landmarks. Checking with the venue ahead of time ensures your next group is prepared.
How do you know if a team-building activity worked?
A successful team building experience usually shows up in small moments: natural conversation, shared problem-solving, and an overall sense of ease within the group. If people continue talking about the event afterward, extend the outing with food, or reference it later in meetings, the activity likely helped your team bond. For formal team-building events, a short reflection or survey can provide insight into what felt most valuable and what could help your team in future sessions.
What are the best activities for large groups in Los Angeles?
For large groups, the best activities tend to be those with space and flexibility. Private sightseeing tours, outdoor activities, and team challenges work especially well. Consider activities like escape rooms (using multiple rooms), outdoor movie nights, food tours with staggered start times, or coastal bike rides. These options allow your team to stay engaged without crowding, and they accommodate groups of any size.
How do I choose the right activity for the size of my group?
Start by clarifying the size of your group, your timeline, and your overall goal. Small teams often enjoy focused workshops like screen printing or cooking classes. Mid-size groups benefit from a mix of structured and open-ended experiences, such as VR arenas or downtown Los Angeles food tours. Big groups do well with activities that offer multiple participation paths, such as scavenger hunts or private tours. Matching the activity to the group dynamic helps create a comfortable, fun environment and strengthens camaraderie.
Let’s Create Your Unforgettable Group Experience in Hollywood
Hollywood Bus Tours offers customizable private tours for corporate groups, friends, families, and a group event of any size. Our guides know the city better than anyone, and we make it easy for your group to see the best of Los Angeles without the stress.
Let us help you build a group outing your team will love. Book your private tour here.
