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, 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.
Sunday, June 28
10:45 AM Brunch Buddies
Join us for brunch! This month we are going to Jardin Autentica Cocina, for a Mexican brunch.
Location: Jardin Autentica Cocina, 331 N Tustin Ave, Orange CA 92867
Contact: Valerie Spear or John Olsen.
Wednesday, July 1
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, July 2
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, July 7
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.
Thursday, July 9
5:00 PM South County Happy Hour – 2nd Thursday of the Month
We’re on Nancy and Greg’s patio for more conversation covering whatever topics may 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.
Sunday, July 12
10:30 AM Atheists 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. An RSVP is appreciated but not necessary.
Location: The restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. (The cross street is Birch, near the airport).
Contact: Joyce Farmer or Linda Peterson.
Monday, July 13
6:00 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.
Monday, July 13
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit August 2026 calendar entries to the Calendar Editor.
Submit August 2026 Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor.
Wednesday, July 15
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 not required. Look for the black-and-yellow “M” sign on the table.
Location: Wahoo’s Fish Taco, 641 Camino de los Mares #A100, San Clemente.
Directions: Exit I-5 at Camino de los Mares, go inland 1/4 mile, and turn left at Ocean View Plaza. Confusingly, Ocean View Plaza is on your right, but you have to turn away from Ocean View Plaza in order to enter the unnamed shopping center which hosts Wahoo’s. The city’s Signage Department will hear about this! [grumble, grumble]
Contact: Tom Streeter.
Sunday, July 19
2:30 PM Virtual Speaker Presentation: San Francisco Regional Mensa – Zoom
Topic: Medical AI: Examples, Opportunities, & Cautionary Tales
Speaker: Dr. Daniel John Doyle
The presentation will introduce the audience to the types of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its applications in medicine and showcase notable examples where AI has already demonstrated its value, such as in medical imaging interpretation, early disease detection, precision medicine, and robotic surgery.
Dr. Daniel John Doyle is a Professor Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University. Trained as an electrical engineer and an anesthesiologist, he holds M.D., Ph.D., and D.Phil. degrees and has edited or written several books, the latest being What Does It Mean to be Human? Life, Death, Personhood and the Transhumanist Movement.
This is a Zoom Meeting. Please register.
Sunday, July 19
3:00 PM Baja LasVegastan Independence Day Celebration
Come celebrate the petty politics of a petite potentate, the Benevolent Dictatorship of Baja LasVegastan! No RSVP; no door charge. Champagne! Cake! Singing! Contests! Parades! See https://tomstreeter.com/celebrate.html for details. The Benevolent Dictator will award a prize to all who present a suitably artistic application for a visa, or for a patent of nobility. Creativity counts! Wear something orange, blue, or yellow, the national colors of our beloved Benevolent Dictatorship. Creativity counts here, too.
Location: City of Baja LasVegastopolis (which is completely surrounded by the USA City of San Clemente). Ample parking is available on the USA side of the international frontier.
Contact: Tom Streeter, Benevolent Dictator
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Wednesday, July 22
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
For years we went to a great Oaxacan restaurant at this location. Now it’s a different but still nice family- run Mexican restaurant with very good reviews. They have many specialties from the previous place.
Location: Gonzalez’s Restaurant 1740 W Chapman Ave Orange CA
Contact: John Olsen.
Thursday, July 23
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.
Saturday, July 25
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM Gifted Youth: Marine Mammal Cruise
Join the OC Mensa Gifted Youth for a two-hour Marine Mammal Cruise at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. Aboard the R/V Sea Explorer, we will investigate the natural history of our local marine mammals. Dolphins, whales, seals, and sea lions are the focus of this exciting voyage on the open ocean! We will investigate the ecosystem of our local marine mammals using scientific tools like a benthic grab sampler and a plankton net. We will also discuss the types of marine mammals we saw and will learn the differences among them through the use of artifacts, sounds, and images. The cost of this educational tour is being subsidized by OC Mensa and a Gifted Youth mini grant from American Mensa. So, we are able to offer tickets for just $10 per person! Space on the boat is limited to 45 people. RSVP at https://bit.ly/4oh4baC to reserve your spot. Two easy ways to purchase your tickets by Monday, 7/20: pay online via PayPal to treasurer@ocmensa.org or send checks (made out to Orange County Mensa) to Meg Sulzen, OC Mensa Treasurer. Waivers will be collected at 1:00pm to finalize our manifest for the cruise, which will leave at 1:30pm. If you arrive after 1:00pm you may not make it onto the boat. Please plan accordingly. Each person must complete a risk waiver, wear closed-toe/closed-heel, soft-soled shoes, and bring a jacket and sunscreen. You can arrive earlier and enjoy lunch at Dana Point Harbor or a picnic on the grass or baby beach at Dana Cove Park. You can also stay after the cruise to explore the Institute, the Spirit of Dana Point tall ship, or the nearby pebble beach. There is also a gift shop at the Institute with toys, books, garments, postcards and more.
Location: Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629. Parking is free near the Institute.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci.
