Incredibly close to San Francisco but a world of beauty away, California’s Diablo Valley offers a unique, under-the-radar location for brilliant meetings. Plan your gathering in the observatory at the top of Mount Diablo, and follow up with a relaxing evening of stargazing and live music. From the observation deck, views of the Golden Gate Bridge and surrounding landscape are easily visible, but it’s the views from the mounted telescopes that will impress your team the most. Arrange ahead for the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society to have a member on hand to point out the moons of Jupiter or — depending upon viewing conditions — the swirled star pattern of a distant galaxy.

Along with astronomy-themed activities, mountaintop team building retreats can include such incentives as barbecues, chili team cook-offs, hiking and more. Local musicians Jim and Cathy Ocean can supplement the evening with tunes from their recording Astronaut Lullabies, or get everyone involved during a planned activities including their popular Music & Marshmallows Meetup. Participants learn the secrets of creating their own percussion instruments, make music together beneath the stars, enjoy a mal and make s’mores around a crackling campfire. Frisbee tossing and constellation viewing are part of the fun.