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, April 27
3:00 PM New Member Meet & Greet & Mensa 101
If you joined Mensa within the last year (or if you have been a member for a while, but haven’t attended very much and you want to know more about Mensa), you are invited to join us for coffee or iced tea, casual conversation, and an orientation to Mensa. Meet other new members and learn from a few of OCM’s more experienced members about Orange County Mensa and how to make the most of your Mensa membership.
Directions: Oak Creek Shopping Center, 5653 Alton Parkway, Irvine. Outside on the patio in front of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
Contact: Angie Mattson
Wednesday, April 30
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
It’s time for a hearty German lunch! Join us for sandwiches or sausages and maybe a German brew at Mattern Sausage and Deli.
Location: Mattern Sausage and Deli. 4327 E. Chapman Ave., Orange
Contact: John Olsen
Thursday, May 1
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.
Tuesday, May 6
6:00 PM Book Chat
We’re smart people, let’s do a book. I’ll choose the first book and we can decide the next one together. There will be fraternization/happy chat, snacks and, maybe, bubbly. I have chosen Pranksters vs. Autocrats by Srdja Popovic. It is non-fiction (my favorite kind of book), published in 2020, short (56 pages, 81 with appendix and notes) and free on Kindle.
Location: Home of Valerie Spear, Tustin.
Contact: Karon Roberts.
Wednesday, May 7
12:35 PM LuncH with a Capital H
We’re back at our old haunt. Join us for sandwiches and conversation and maybe a beer. Look for us at the round big 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
Friday, May 9
9:00 PM Reservation Deadline for OCM Anniversary Brunch
Celebrate Orange County Mensa’s 45 years of being an independent local group of American Mensa! Join us on Sunday, May 18 at 11:00 AM at Orange County Mining Company. All Mensans and their guests who accompany them are invited. $35 per person includes all-you-can-eat champagne brunch.
Advance reservations are required so we can let the restaurant know how many are attending. Attendance is limited to 70. When you reserve, include the names of everyone in your party.
Sunday, May 11
10:30 AM Atheists United Orange Co., Second Sunday Meeting
The conversation is enjoyable and unstructured among like-minded friends.
Location: For May only, we meet at Joyce Farmer’s house: Laguna Beach.
Contact: Joyce Farmer
Monday, May 12
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit May calendar entries to the Calendar Editor at Calendar@ocmensa.org .
Submit May Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor at Editor@ocmensa.org .
Sunday, May 18
11:00 AM Orange County Mensa Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate Orange County Mensa’s 45 years of being an independent local group of American Mensa! Join us for brunch at Orange County Mining Company. Buffet brunch includes omelets, prime rib, crab, shrimp, salads, entrees, desserts, and champagne. Note: Advance reservations with payment were required by May 9.
Location: Orange County Mining Company, 10000 Crawford Canyon Rd, Orange.
Wednesday, May 21
1:00 PM South of the Border
Join us south of the border (the border being the El Toro Y) for a south-county lunch. RSVP not required. Look for the black-and-yellow “M” sign on the table.
Location this month: 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 inland 1/4 mile, and turn right at The Shops Boulevard.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26
Our neighboring chapter, San Diego Mensa, will be holding a regional gathering (RG).
Location: San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego
More info:
https://sandiegomensa.org/events/regional-gathering-2025/
Wednesday, May 28
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
Come join us as we try the newest location of Fantastic Cafe or, as they like to call themselves now, “Eat Fantastic.” Burgers, sandwiches, chicken and salads.
Location: 171 E. First St, Tustin, NW corner at Prospect.
Contact: John Olsen
Thursday, May 29
5:00 PM LOT (Last Odd Thursday)
LOT – Last Odd Thursday starts the season. 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. We’ll try to be here every month through October.
Location: Orange.
Contact: John Olsen
