Golden State Team Building
Gather your friends, family or employees together and prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip, traveling back in time to experience the real California, the way they did in the ‘60s. Your iconic vintage Volkswagen bus and camping equipment await.
No major highways for you. Instead, you’ll drive the California backroads, soaking up the sand and sun with your loved ones, friends and co-workers. Destinations include Joshua Tree National Park, the famed Pacific Coast Highway and more. As the sign of the times, you’ll be socially distanced in your classic VW bus, with a caterpillar of friends in the same iconic campers following behind you.
VW Retreat Highlights
- A traditional California road trip
- Glamping in a vintage VW camper
- Socially distanced travel for your safety
- Team bonding away from the traditional (and less fun) methods
- Seeing California’s famous sights and attractions
- No “tour” feeling
- Great for first-time campers
Included
- Drive your own vintage VW bus (1-2 guests/bus, 3-4 with kids)
- One-on-one VW camper tutorial
- All bed supplies, linens and pillows
- Traditional campfire meals
- All camping equipment
- Maps, tips and insider’s information
- Mechanical and guide support
Group’s Interests
Slow your mind by exiting the fast highways to cruise the scenic California backroads. When was the last time you had a break from your email? Or muted your ubiquitous phone notifications? Explore California’s small towns and famous national parks while learning about your colleagues the old-fashioned way.
Not Included
Choose your inclusions based on your interests. From hiking between Joshua Tree’s moon-like boulders to glamping near Paso Robles’ rolling green hills, we can fine-tune your retreat to be a memorable experience, one your group will muse over for years to come.
*COVID-19 Policies : Our team is dedicated to providing a safe, healthy environment for all our guests and employees. Read our full list of preventative actions on our COVID-19 page.
Transportation
Don peace signs as you turn heads cruising in your classic VW camper convoy. Your personal, top-of-the-line VW camper will be driven by you — current driver’s license required — with ample opportunity for pit stops, Instagram poses and more. Even bring Rover: well-behaved pets are welcome.
Meals
Deal a deck of cards at the picnic table as your campfire meal is prepared, or dine at one of California’s famous restaurants. Clam chowder, local meals, fine dining — nothing is off the table when it comes to planning and creating your custom retreat.
Private Hosts
New destinations are better when you go with the right hosts. An insider will always make exploring a new spot for the first time more manageable.
Explore California as a friend, not cattle, and never feel like a lost “where do we go now?” tourist.
Joshua Tree Glampout | Sample Itinerary
for 5 days, 4 nights
Buckle your seatbelt for the California road trip of a lifetime. Your Joshua Tree Corporate Retreat features you and your colleagues – whether friends, family, coworkers or even your dog – socially distanced, if necessary, and ready to explore the open California desert. Leave your whirring laptop behind for California’s best glamping experience, featuring national parks, unique desert artwork, Return of the Jedi sand dunes and more.
Orange County
- Travel DayNewport Beach
- What better place to get accustomed to your vintage VW than in Newport Beach, the surf town with beaches and the California sun? Meet your hosts, complete your required paperwork and become accustomed to your VW camper before freely being able to explore the town at your leisure. Sunset over the Pacific Ocean, anyone?
Day 1: Road Trip!
- 7 a.m.Depart for Joshua Tree
- Your first VW bus drive begins with California’s major highways but quickly makes its way to the desolate two-lane roads of the Mojave Desert, where the majestic mountain ranges, vibrant wildflowers and windswept open space will have you falling in love with the landscape.
- 10 a.m.Stretch Your Legs
- Pit stops are an important part of any legendary road trip. Turn heads as you arrive at your first, one of many photo ops in our classic VW convoy. Make sure you know the year of your vintage camper – the curious bystanders will ask.
- 12 p.m.Stock Your Fridge
- Kickstart the foodie portion of your road trip with a browse through our local grocers. Campfire breakfasts and dinners are on us, whereas lunch will be your time to unleash your talent for over-the-road meal creation. Use your VW fridge and stockpile of provisions to keep yourself well fed.
- 2 p.m.Joshua Tree National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park is so much more than trees. After our hosts show you the layout, you can freely meander the trails, hug the moon-like boulders or selfie with the stunning, yet painful, Cholla Cactus. One thing’s for sure – we’re not in Kansas anymore.
- 4 p.m.Hike with Friends
- Stroll beneath the 150-year-old towering Joshua Trees, or if hiking is not your thing, slide your VW bus door open to enjoy the sunshine and scenery at your leisure. You can read a book, mingle with your colleagues or calmly contemplate life as you watch the clouds go by. An escape from your desk never felt so good.
- 7 p.m.Roaring Campfire
- Pop the top of your VW camper for our first night of glamping under the stars. Tonight, dinner will be a group effort, followed by a crackling campfire near our legendary Vdubs. After our group meal, feel free to indulge yourself in marshmallow s’mores to your heart’s content.
Day 2: Joshua Tree Free Day
- 7:30 a.m.Mojave Desert Sunrise
- Rise and shine for a chef’s choice of campfire breakfast, including savory and sweet options with fresh coffee and hot tea. You can watch the sun come up over the Coxcomb Mountains or choose to stay under your VW duvet for a few more hours of rest. The morning is yours to enjoy, away from your email.
- 10 a.m.Hike Joshua Tree
- Just what does one do with a whole day to explore in Joshua Tree? Well, you could begin with Skull Rock, Heart Rock or use your imagination to find more look-alike boulder formations. Or safely, with your guide’s blessing, search for the abandoned mines of Joshua Tree. This place is a national treasure for a reason.
- 6 p.m.Sunset to Remember
- Photographers from all over the world come to Joshua Tree for the sunsets. Observe yours as you relax in the cowboy spa, play tug-of-war with a jovial dog or challenge your fellow road trippers to a mind-flexing game of cards. Another campfire dinner in the California desert awaits, with refreshing libations enjoyed by all.
Day 3: Sand Dunes for Days
- 7 a.m.Hello, Sunshine!
- Mornings begin at your leisure, when you can wake to a homemade breakfast, or if you are a night owl, enjoy a few more hours of sleep. At 10 a.m. we depart, cruising in our head-turning VW buses to our next rural location, the filming location for Return of the Jedi, the Imperial Sand Dunes.
- 10 a.m.Two Lane Road
- Now that we’re done with Joshua Tree National Park, we’ll drive our way to the Salton Sea. Feel free to flash peace signs as we pass the other road trippers. We will cruise along the famous Box Canyon Road, a desolate desert canyon you rarely, if ever, see in a newsfeed.
- 1 p.m.The Salton Sea
- Loop the famous Salton Sea with us as we explore the unusual saltwater phenomenon. Learn about its migratory birds and unique celebrity history, then explore the spiritual haven of Salvation Mountain as the sweet cherry on top. Who knew the desert could be so colorful?
- 5 p.m.Sandy Campfire
- Just north of the Mexican border, the Imperial Sand Dunes are where you’ll pop your VW top with your crew (you’re an expert now) to enjoy the fascinating landscape. Experience firsthand the dune ripples which display the perfect balance between sand and air.
- 9 p.m.Shooting Stars
- Buzzing from the endless beach, tonight you can pull up a chair to enjoy the ocean of stars that await overhead. With little to no light pollution, count shooting stars or observe earth’s constellations, stretching from horizon to horizon.
Day 4: ATV Adventures
- 8 a.m.Start Your Engines
- The Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest sand dunes open to off-road vehicle use in the USA. Why not have an ATV waiting for you at sunrise? For the non-adrenaline junkies, use your VW bus to check out Osborne Overlook, where you can stroll along the desolate sand dunes, some towering over 300 feet in height.
- 12 p.m.Forward Ho!
- Departing our adult sandbox, we’re wasting no time to hop in our VW campers to continue our legendary road trip. We’ll head to our next destination, Borrego Springs, where you’ll check into your luxury hotel to wash off the sand and glamping grit.
- 4 p.m.Rusted Artwork
- All well-planned California desert journeys are broken up with unique artwork. Experience Borrego Springs – specifically Galleta Meadows – as you cruise your vintage VW bus through town. These are giant metal sculptures you will never forget.
- 7 p.m.Dinner Together
- Enjoy your final night in the California desert, where you can head to the spa for the pampering you deserve. Or choose to hang out with your family and friends for one last night of bonding and swapping stories under the starlit skies. Resist the urge to check your email for one more night.
Day 5: Return to the Ocean
- 10 a.m.Goodbye, Desert
- Rise up, road trippers! We’ll be crossing the Cuyamaca Mountains today, where you’ll see a foliage change – a return to green grass – along with quaint mountain towns. Your VW bus will wind Anza-Borrego State Park’s dusty roads along the way, with your convoy of VW friends following behind you.
- 12 p.m.Warm Apple Pie
- Welcome to the small town where apple orchards meet the lunch counter. Savor a fresh piece of apple pie, or if you are not driving, treat yourself to a quenching beer-tasting flight as you celebrate a successful road trip.
- 2 p.m.Cruise the PCH
- Is there anywhere more iconic than California’s coastline? We think not. Only a few days ago we were learning how to operate our VW buses; now we are experts, cruising the Pacific Coast Highway like they did back in the ‘60s. Soak it up — this is the last of our legendary glamping experience.
- 5 p.m.So Long, Farewell
- Our adventure ends this afternoon, but not before we say goodbye to our new friends. Tissues will be supplied for those who need them.
Please reserve flights from John Wayne Airport (SNA) no earlier than 7 p.m.
Team Building’s New Era
In a world of editing, filters and autotune, give your friends, family and co-workers the experience they subconsciously crave – a true, authentic connection with each other, one they cannot find on a phone or online. Slowing down as a group, with patience, is a pastime we as a modern society seem to have forgotten.
We’re talking no signal, notifications or email; instead, the time is used for conversation, fun, yet revealing card games and genuine one-on-one interaction. Even time to peacefully watch the clouds float by. When was the last time you got together with your friends to live in the here and now, without your phone signal?
We provide Joshua Tree road trips for 3, 4, or 5 days (winter only), or adventures along the California coastline. All retreats depart from Newport Beach.
Get that ’60s feeling back. Start Planning »