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.
Wednesday, February 19
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: Asia Buffet, 23552 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest
Directions: Exit I-5 at El Toro Rd, head inland a half mile; on the right.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Sunday, February 23
11:00 AM Brunch Buddies
Join us for brunch! This month we’re off to Rodrigo’s for Mexican. Please note: Brunch time can often mean wait times. Please RSVP for this event no later than 48 hours before so we know who to wait for before getting a table/reservation.
Location: Rodrigo’s, 14882 Holt Ave., Tustin
Contact: Valerie Spear or John Olsen
Wednesday, February 26
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
For years we went to a great Oaxacan restaurant at this location. Now it’s a different Mexican restaurant with very good reviews. They appear to have many of the specialties from the previous place. Let’s check it out!
Location: Gonzalez’s Restaurant. 1740 W. Chapman Ave., Orange
Contact: John Olsen
Saturday, March 1
7:00 PM Open House Party
Come join your fellow Mensans for a fun get-together at the home of Greg De Hoogh and Nancy Hand. We’ll have food, wine, beer, and soft drinks. Mensa members and their accompanied guests only. $5 each.
Location: Laguna Hills.
Contact: Greg or Nancy
Sunday, March 2
3:00 PM Special OCM Board Meeting – Zoom
Special meeting to approve the budget and subsidy for the 2025 OCM Anniversary Event. Meeting open to all OC Mensa members.
Format: This will be a remote meeting using Zoom. You can attend on a computer, smart phone, or tablet. If you prefer, you can attend on a landline phone.
To receive an email with the link to the meeting, RSVP to Bill Shaddle.
Contact: Bill Shaddle, OCM President.
Wednesday, March 5
12:35 PM LuncH with a Capital H
We’ve been coming to Hollingshead’s for 3 decades! Great sandwiches and beer if you’re a midday beer kind of person.
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, March 6
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
Sunday, March 9
10:30 AM Atheists United Orange Co., Second Sunday Brunch
The conversation is enjoyable and unstructured among like-minded friends. We order brunch from the menu. We are open to the public, free parking at the hotel. If you have questions, please call or text David Doss of Atheists United Orange County.
An RSVP is appreciated.
Location: The restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. (The cross street is Birch, near the airport).
Contact: Joyce Farmer
Monday, March 10
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit April calendar entries to the Calendar Editor .
Submit April Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor .
Wednesday, March 19
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: Minato Sushi 23505 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest
Directions: Exit I-5 at El Toro Rd, head inland a half mile; on the left.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Wednesday, March 26
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
Revel in some classic diner grub done right. You can get American or Mexican food at Paul’s Place. They even have gyros!
Location: Paul’s Place. 125 E. Taft Ave., Orange. NE corner of Glassell
Contact: John Olsen
Sunday, March 30
1:00 PM Bylaws Vote Counting
Bylaws Vote Counting. This event is open to all members of OC Mensa.
Location: At the home of Thea Wills-Olsen and John Olsen, Orange
Contact: Thea Wills-Olsen
