San Diego Company Holiday Party Ideas + Locations

We are about a month away from when many companies host their annual holiday party...if you haven’t found a venue yet, don’t fret! It isn’t too late to find one! There are plenty of traditional venues like restaurants and bars that you can host your party at, but if you’re looking for a more unique setting, a private estate can be the best route!

Here are a few reasons why estates make great holiday party locations as well as a few of our favorite San Diego venues.

Surroundings

If you choose to host your event at a bar or restaurant, you might miss out on some fantastic views. San Diego has everything from ocean to city skyline views, so don’t get stuck inside a dark and boring space! Find a beautiful setting that wows your colleagues. Since the climate is great year round, you can dine outdoors and soak in your incredible surroundings that San Diego is famous for.

Style

After viewing a bunch of commercial spaces, they can start to blend together. You’ve seen one ballroom, you’ve seen em all, right? Private estates can range in style from modern to rustic. There is something for everyone here. Never compromise on style at a private house.

If you’ve already selected your holiday party theme, search for an estate that fits the look instead of the other way around. If you’re hosting a formal event, you’ll want to find an estate that has an upscale look, but if you’re searching for a company BBQ picnic location, you may want a more casual or rustic style estate venue.

Privacy

When you rent an estate, you can be sure that yours will be the only party taking place. Restaurants and bars may be able to give you a private room, but they can’t promise the whole space unless you buy out the venue for the entire night. When you rent a private home for your holiday party, you know you’ll have ultimate privacy. Estates are great locations to celebrate new product launches or talk about new business ventures that you aren’t ready to share with the general public. Only those invited to the party can share in the celebrations, so you don’t have to worry about any party crashers.

Flexibility

Hosting your company party at a private estate will allow you the flexibility of working with vendors you choose and select packages that work best for you. A private estate will also give you more flexibility with customizing menu options to match your theme. While hotels and restaurants may have a food and beverage minimum, a private estate will also give you the flexibility of choosing options that best fit your budget.

You can customize the space to meet your needs too! If you want to rent lounge furniture, play lawn games, bring in a photo booth, etc. you can do so at an estate! The flexibility at an estate will allow you to do things that you may not get to do at a traditional venue. Perhaps you want to rent carnival rides for the children in attendance, or hire your favorite band to play into the evening, not all of this would be possible at a traditional venue.

Capacity

Searching for a venue that can accommodate all of your 100 or 200 employees can be quite the task. Space limitations can be a major factor in why companies have such a hard time finding a holiday party locale. A private estate can be the answer to the problem. With large lawns, you can have a full seated dinner if you so choose, instead of a cocktail party with standing room only! Plus, you aren’t limited to just one space. You have the whole property to work with. Guests can wander around the property and play lawn games in one area and dine in another.

Availability

Private dining rooms in restaurants will book up months in advance. If you’re in a pinch and everything seems to be snagged up, private estates may be the best option. These venues are a bit more “out of the box” so other companies may not have thought to host their event at a private house. You may be lucky to find that the estate is available on your date of choice!

Our favorite San Diego estates

Here are a few estates that we love in San Diego that are perfect for celebrations large and small.

Marina 5

Marina 5 is a luxury penthouse located in Little Italy area of San Diego. Floor to ceiling windows surrounding the penthouse provide breathtaking views of downtown San Diego, the Marina, and downtown Little Italy.

Capacity: 70 guests standing, or a recommended 40 guests for a seated dinner.

Villa La Jolla

Enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the La Jolla Cove thanks to the floor-to-ceiling paneled sliding glass doors that open onto the picturesque view patio.

Capacity: 70 guests seated, 120 guests standing

Casa de Glory

The Casa de Glory has a distinct Spanish style with alcoves, vaulted ceilings, distressed hardwood floors, ornate tiles and hand-cut wood beams. Enjoy views of the downtown city skyline to the bay at this colorful estate.

Capacity: 80 guests seated, 100 standing

Chateau Bella

The Chateau Bella has a style mixed between old world grace and French country. The estate offers a travertine entertainment deck, built-in shuffle board, a fire pit, outdoor kitchen and loggia for your next event. The estate also boasts panoramic views of the countryside and the Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Course.

Capacity: 200 guests seated

Estancia del Sol

This classic California Spanish colonial venue features intricate hand-painted Spanish tiles, exposed wood beams, classic arcades and a flat white stucco exterior - all staples of the classic Rancho Santa Fe Spanish aesthetic. Adjacent to the pool is a large, Spanish-tiled, wood-burning fireplace, perfect for adding a warm ambiance to any outdoor affair.

Capacity: 200 guests seated

Your Turn...

What challenges have you faced in your search for a corporate event venue?

Why prompted you to start considering a private estate for your event?