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, 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.
Saturday, August 1
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM San Diego Mensa Game Night
Game night at the home of SD Mensa member, Theresa Kasel, in San Diego. I have a lot of games, feel free to bring any game(s) you’d like to play. Please bring snacks and/or beverages to share as well. No one under 18 is allowed.
Location: San Diego.
Contact: RSVP by text (preferred) or email by midnight on the Friday before.
7:00 PM Open House Party
This month’s Open House is at the home of John Olsen and Thea Wills-Olsen. We always have a great time there, so please join us for fun conversation, food, and drinks. Mensa members and their accompanied guests only. $5 each.
Location: Orange
Contact: John Olsen.
Tuesday, August 4
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, August 5
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, August 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.
Saturday, August 8
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Millennial/Gen Z Meetup
Come join us for a fun afternoon in the summer sun! You’re welcome to bring your own food and beverages as well as any beach-related items. Street parking is plentiful and there are also two side-by-side metered parking lots. We will meet between lifeguard tower DM and the restrooms with the adobe brick roof. It’s also near volleyball courts and two large staircases that lead to the area. Look for a woman in a navy blue/white polka dot swimsuit top and blue shorts. Hope to see you all there!
Location: Torrance County Beach, 387 Paseo de la Playa, Torrance, CA 90501. Please note: sometimes apps say Redondo Beach rather than Torrance but it’s the same beach.
Contact: Please email or text Lauren Montgomery Wallman with any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance locating our group.
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM SD Phoenix Games Group
Join the local San Diego Phoenix Games group for our monthly game night at Tea N More, a boba tea restaurant in Kearny Mesa. We do ask that attendees order something or, at least drop a few dollars in the tip jar as we will be taking up space for an extended period of time. Bring any games you’d like to play. Don’t worry if you don’t have any games — there will be plenty.
Location: 7380 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego CA 92111. There is plenty of parking in the back, some street parking and a bus stop nearby.
Contact: RSVP to Theresa Kasel by midnight the Friday before.
7:00 PM Games, Puzzles, Origami, & Conversation
Join us for a fun and relaxing time hanging out with your fellow Mensans. There will be an assortment of things to do. We’ll have board games to play, as well as jigsaw puzzles for group puzzling. Or, challenge your mind with a variety of 3-dimensional brain-teaser puzzles. Or, try your hand at origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. Those who don’t want to get involved with puzzles or origami or a game can spend their time visiting and conversing.
Location: The home of Marti Reis, Garden Grove.
Sunday, August 9
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.
Monday, August 10
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, OCM President.
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit September 2026 calendar entries to the Calendar Editor .
Submit September 2026 Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor.
Thursday, August 13
5:00 PM South County Happy Hour
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: 24771 Mendocino Ct, Laguna Hills. Take I-5 to La Paz and head toward the ocean. Turn right on Aliso Hills, right on Mendocino Ave. and right on Mendocino Ct. It’s the last house on the left.
Contact: Greg De Hoogh.
Sunday, August 16
2:30 PM Virtual Speaker Presentation: San Francisco Regional Mensa – Zoom
Topic: The Mummy as Monster: Unraveling a Pop Culture Icon
Speaker: Foy Scalf, PhD, University of Chicago
This talk begins to unravel the threads of the cultural phenomenon of the mummy, from its ancient inspirations to its sci-fi origin, from pulp fiction to blockbuster releases.
This is a Zoom meeting. Please register:
Tuesday, August 18
6:30 PM Book Chat
We will discuss Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. This 2004 novel mixes humor and crime in a wild Florida setting. The New York Times described it as “A screwball delight so full of bright, deft, beautifully honed humor… you’d follow (Hiaasen) anywhere.”
Location: Angie Mattson’s home, Orange.
Wednesday, August 19
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
(almost) FREE LUNCH – We are going to Chicago but right here at home. Jim’s Original has been in Chicago since 1939 but their 3rd location is in Orange. Join us for hot dogs, Polish sausage, pork chop sandwiches, hamburgers, fish and chicken.
Location: Jim’s Original, 214 N Tustin St, Orange, CA 92867
Contact: John Olsen.
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. Important notes: (1) Bring a credit card; they don’t take cash. (2) Bring a cell phone; they text you when your order is ready. (3) Wear a hat; fresh air and sunshine on the fabulous patio are real.
Location: Miramar Food Hall, 1720 N El Camino Real, San Clemente.
Directions: Exit I-5 at Pico and head toward the beach. At the light at the bottom of the hill, look left. We’re at the SW corner of Pico and El Camino Real. Cheap parking is available at the straight-ahead Metrolink station.
Contact: Tom Streeter.
Sunday, August 23
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM San Diego Mensa Games SIG
Join the San Diego Mensa Games SIG for an afternoon of games at Mikara Cafe. I will have games, but feel free to bring your own games as well.
Location: 10330 Friars Rd. San Diego CA 92120
Contact: RSVP/Questions: Theresa Kasel.
Wednesday August 26
8:00 PM Mensa Dinner at the World Science Fiction Convention
Join fellow Mensans the night before the start of the Worldcon in Anaheim. For Worldcon information check https://www.lacon.org. Please try to let me know if you are coming.
Location: The restaurant is in the Anaheim Hilton. Poppy’s Restaurant Anaheim https://www.meetatpoppys.com, 777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802
Contact: Andrew Dyer.
Thursday, August 27
5:00 PM LOT – Last Odd Thursday
LOT – Last Odd Thursday meets again. 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, August 30
10:45 AM Brunch Buddies
Join us for brunch! This month we are going to Culinary Dropout. They have inventive takes on food and beverage. They also have a complimentary valet. Please RSPV by Saturday morning.
Location: Culinary Dropout, 191 N Orange St, Orange CA
Contact: Valerie Spear or John Olsen.
