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.
Monday, May 18
7:30 PM OCM Board Meeting – Zoom
The Board is meeting to handle the business of Orange County Mensa. This meeting will be via Zoom, and all OC Mensa members are welcome to attend. You can attend on a computer, smart phone, or tablet. If you prefer, you can listen in on a landline phone. If you plan to attend, RSVP to Ken Burke to receive the login information/link for joining the meeting.
Contact: Ken Burke, OCM President.
Wednesday, May 20
1:00 PM South of the Border Lunch
Join us south of the border (the border being the El Toro Y), on the Third Wednesday of the month, for a south-county lunch. RSVP is not required. Look for the black-and-yellow “M” sign on the table.
Location: Café Nordstrom, inside Nordstrom (2nd floor) at the Mission Viejo Mall, 100 The Shops Boulevard, Mission Viejo.
Directions: Exit I-5 at Crown Valley Parkway, go 1/4 mile inland, and turn right at The Shops Boulevard.
Contact: Tom Streeter.
Thursday, May 21
5:00 PM LOT, Last Odd Thursday, returns
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.
Friday, May 22
6:30 PM Millennial/Gen Z Meetup
All adults are welcome! However, this event will mainly be geared toward Millennial and Gen Z age groups under 45. Mensans, feel free to bring a plus one. Join us for craft beers and a rotating food truck. First 5 attendees receive one free beer ticket courtesy of GLAAM! Millennial/Gen Z event is recurring for the 3rd Friday of each month. However, I aim to change the location each time to give attendees new food and drink to try. You can stay until closing.
Location: Smog City Brewing, 1901 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA.
Contact: Lauren Montgomery Wallman.
Wednesday, May 27
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
(almost) FREE LUNCH goes Chinese at Royal Wok. They have a big selection of lunch specials.
Location: Royal Wok 1868 N Tustin St, Orange.
Contact: John Olsen.
Sunday, May 31
10:45 AM Brunch Buddies
Join us for brunch! This month we are going to The Silver Trumpet, inside the Avenue of the Arts Hotel in Costa Mesa. Weather permitting, they have a nice patio. Please note there is free validation on parking in the hotel parking structure.
Location: The Silver Trumpet, 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa.
Contact: Valerie Spear or John Olsen.
Tuesday, June 2
6:30 PM-7:30 PM Parent Support Zoom
Just as our gifted children may struggle finding their place and tribe, parents of gifted children can struggle with trying to help them. 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. This meeting is open to any parents of gifted youth, even if your “youth” may not technically be kids or teens anymore. Parents of young ones will definitely benefit from those who have gone before us.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci to get the Zoom link. (The link is included in the Gifted Youth weekly emails on Monday — if you don’t get the email, reach out to Jennifer to get added.)
Wednesday, June 3
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
We’re back at our usual haunt. Join us for lunch at the big round table (assuming 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, June 4
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, June 6
7:00 PM Open House Party
This month’s Open House is at the home of Ann Harvey and Barry Ader. Join us for an enjoyable evening of food, drink, and socializing. Mensa members and their accompanied guests – $5 each.
Location: Huntington Beach.
Contact: Ann/Barry.
Sunday, June 7
6:00 – 8:00 PM Sunday Sunset Salon
Come out to relax, meet great people, enjoy delicious dinner or a drink, and savor the beach sunset. This is a new Long Beach and Orange County area focused group but anyone in LA or OC Mensa is more than welcome. We’ll meet monthly to share deep conversation, intellectual stimulation, friendship, and fun. We’ll discuss books chosen by the group as well as have ample time to share fun non-book-related conversations. We’ll also be able to watch the sun set from our table. Meetings are the First Sunday of each month. Come for the exciting conversation, stay for the connection, fun, and friendship.
Location: Belmont Brewing Company, 25 39th Pl, Long Beach, CA (plenty of Beach parking available)
Contact: RSVP to Jennifer M. to get a seat as a founding member at the sunset table.
Sunday, June 7
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Gifted Youth: Pool Party
School’s out and it’s time to party! We’ve reserved the clubhouse next to the pool for food and games. This will be a drop-in potluck. Arrive when you can and please bring a kid-approved pool-friendly dish to share — no glass containers! You can also bring a card game or board game but keep in mind, they might get wet. Make sure to bring your suits, towels and sunscreen as well.
Location: Tustin.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci
Monday, June 8
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit July 2026 calendar entries to the Calendar Editor .
Submit July 2026 Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor.
Thursday, June 11
5:00 PM South County Happy Hour – 2nd Thursday of the Month
It’s time to move back to the great outdoors, so we’re returning to Nancy and Greg’s patio. What’s not changing is the interesting (we hope) conversation that covers whatever topics that interest us. We’ll provide beer, wine, and water. Bring a snack to share if you’re so inclined, but don’t feel obligated.
Location: Laguna Hills.
Contact: Greg De Hoogh.
Wednesday, June 17
1:00 PM South of the Border Lunch
Join us south of the border (the border being the El Toro Y) for a south-county lunch. RSVP is not required. Look for the black-and-yellow “M” sign on the table.
Location: Café Nordstrom, inside Nordstrom (2nd floor) at the Mission Viejo Mall, 100 The Shops Boulevard, Mission Viejo.
Directions: Directions: Exit I-5 at Crown Valley Parkway, go inland 1/4 mile, and turn right at The Shops Boulevard.
Contact: Tom Streeter.
Friday, June 19
6:30 PM Millennial/Gen Z Event
All adults are welcome! However, this event will mainly be geared toward Millennial and Gen Z age groups under 45. Mensans, feel free to bring a plus one. Join us at CoCal Vibes for craft beers and a tasty menu. First 5 attendees receive one free beer ticket courtesy of GLAAM! Millennial/ Gen Z event is recurring for the 3rd Friday of each month, and you can stay until closing. However, I aim to change the location each time to give attendees new food and drink to try. Hope to see you there!
Location: SoCal Vibes, 17812 Main St, Gardena, CA 90248 (it comes up as Carson on some maps)
Contact: Text or email Lauren Montgomery Wallman for more details.
Sunday, June 21
2:30 PM Virtual Speaker Presentation: San Francisco Regional Mensa – Zoom
Topic: Paleontology: Far More Than Just New Fossil Discoveries
Speaker: Roy E. Plotnick, PhD
Paleontology is one of the most popular yet most misunderstood fields of science. Paleontologists are assumed only to be interested in dinosaurs and are imagined as bearded white men in battered cowboy hats, with hammers and whisk brooms. Instead, paleontologists are a markedly diverse group of scientists who use cutting-edge methods. Headlines over exciting new fossils grossly underestimate the true importance of paleontology. Its real significance lies in how such discoveries illuminate the grand history of life on Earth.
Roy Plotnick is an Invertebrate Paleontologist at the University of Illinois – Chicago, where he joined the faculty in 1982, and is currently Professor Emeritus. He is also a Research Associate at the Field Museum.
This is a Zoom Meeting. Please register.
Tuesday, June 23
6:30 PM Book Chat
Once again, we are meeting at Valerie Spear’s house. We will be discussing Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller.
Location: Tustin.
Contact: Karon Roberts or Valerie Spear.
Thursday, June 25
5:00 PM LOT Last Odd Thursday
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.
