We have a full schedule of social activities each month, ranging from lunches and happy hours to games nights, discussion groups, trivia, and our Speakers Forum.
All events are open to all Mensa members, and to guests who accompany Mensa members. Events in public places (restaurants, theaters, etc.) are also open to prospective members. RSVPs are not required, except as noted.
The calendar of activities in the Oracle (our monthly newsletter) may include additional events that are open only to Mensa members and their guests. To view the Calendar in the Oracle, please visit American Mensa’s local group newsletters webpage. Have your Mensa log-in info (email address and password) ready.
Once a week, we send an Email Blast — “This Week in OC Mensa” — that lists the activities for the next seven days to each member with an email address on file with American Mensa.
Mensa members: You can schedule your own activity or get-together in next month’s calendar by submitting a Calendar entry to our Calendar Editor at: calendar@ocmensa.org
Note: To protect the privacy of our hosts, home addresses, personal email addresses, and phone numbers are not listed on this website. Current members of Orange County Mensa can access this information in the current Oracle newsletter or the weekly eBlast.
Sunday, October 18
1:00 – 4:00 PM Gifted Youth: Pirate Park Boat Race
This park boasts shaded picnic tables, two pirate ship play structures, sand and swings. Come dressed as your favorite captain, mermaid, sea monster or other high seas adventurer. We’ll be making water bottle paddle boats to race and the three fastest boat captains will receive treasure! Waters, Pirate’s Booty and popsicles will be provided. Feel free to contribute a snack or bring a game to play.
Location: Tustin
Contact: Jennifer Colucci, OCM Gifted Youth Coordinator.
Thursday, October 29
5:00 PM Last Odd Thursday
LOT – Last Odd Thursday meets one last time this year. It’s our al fresco Happy Hour which we try to hold in our front yard. Bring a snack to share if you are so moved, but we have plenty of beer.
Location: Orange.
Contact: John Olsen.
Tuesday, November 3
6:30 PM Gifted Youth: Parent Support Zoom
Join other parents of Gifted Youth on Zoom every first Tuesday to ask questions, share advice or just feel validated that you aren’t alone in this journey.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci, OCM Gifted Youth Coordinator.
Wednesday, November 4
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
We’ve been coming here since the last Ice Age. Join us for sandwiches and conversation and maybe a beer. Look for us at the big round table (if we get it).
Location: Hollingshead’s Deli, 368 S. Main St., Orange. Behind Victory Diner. North of the 22 Fwy, south of Chapman. Look for Deli sign in the corner of a small shopping center.
Contact: John Olsen
Thursday, November 5
12:00 Noon First Thursday Lunch
Please join us at Cafe Rose Express. Typical full lunches priced from about $8 to $25. Fresh salads & pastries. Full lunch menu with daily specials. We’re welcoming, good-natured and friendly. If the weather is nice, we may be outside in the shade. Look for the M on a yellow background.
Location: Cafe Rose Express, 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa Mesa, 949-478-8777.
Contact: John Kerr.
Saturday, November 7
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Gifted Youth: 2026 ThanksGAMING
The Gifted Youth group is going to have a Thanksgiving party where we can play lots of different board games. So, it’s a ThanksGAMING party! All Mensa families are welcome to attend. You can bring your favorite board game or card game to share and play with other families and new friends.
We’ll have a potluck lunch, so please bring a family-friendly food item to share.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci, OCM Gifted Youth Coordinator.
Saturday, November 7
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Open House Party
Join us for our November Open House at the home of Bill Shaddle and Cathy Winans (and friendly dog Toby) in Seal Beach for a late afternoon/evening of great conversation. Enjoy the Seal Beach breeze on Bill and Cathy’s deck over a variety of snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine. Mensa members and their accompanied guests only. $5 each.
Our special guest this month will be Margaret Downey, founder and president of the Freethought Society and president of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association!
Contact: Bill/Cathy
Sunday, November 8
10:30 AM M-Atheists SIG Brunch
If you think that reason should be the basis for understanding the universe and solving human problems, join like-minded friends in an unstructured, supportive atmosphere. Mark your calendar for every second Sunday of every month. You don’t have to be a member of the SIG to enjoy the fun!
Location: The WAVE restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West, 4545 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach. (Near John Wayne Airport, cross street is Birch. Free parking.)
Contact: Linda K. or Joyce Farmer
Monday, November 9
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit December 2026 calendar entries to the Calendar Editor .
Submit December 2026 Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor.
Thursday, November 12
5:00 PM South County Happy Hour
We’re moving indoors for the winter to Joyce’s home. The conversation meanders where it will, never a set topic. We’ll provide beer, wine and water. Bring a snack to share if you wish, but don’t feel obligated. (Stairs inside.)
Location: Laguna Beach. Street Parking only.
Contact: Joyce Farmer.
Friday, November 20
6:30pm Millennial/Gen Z Meetup (GLAAM)
Come play pinball, have a beer, and bring a game with you for our group to play.
Casual brewery with plenty of seating. Check the website if they have a food truck that evening.
Location: Hermosa Brewing Company, 1855 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
Contact: Call/text Lauren Montgomery Wallman
Wednesday November 25
12:35 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
As I write this, I’m hoping it’s chilly and that pho will be the perfect lunch. Either way, join us at My Pho for pho and other Vietnamese specialties that aren’t soup.
Location: My Pho, 3426 E. Chapman Ave, Orange
Contact: John Olsen
