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.
Thursday, April 23
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.
Sunday, April 26
10:45 AM Brunch Buddies
Join us for brunch! This month we are going back to where we started: Bosscat Kitchen & Libations. Wide range of brunch options and the Flaming Hot Cheetos Bloody Mary. 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.
Location: Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, 118 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92866.
Directions: Parking tip: There is a garage with free parking at Lemon and Maple. All parking within two blocks of the circle will cost you to park unless you have a handicapped placard.
Contact: Valerie Spear or John Olsen.
Wednesday, April 29
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
(almost) FREE LUNCH goes for the pho (and other Vietnamese and Chinese dishes) at Pho Ky Dong in Tustin. We’ve been coming here for years when it was Long Hai. Now the niece has taken over and rebranded it.
Location: 682 El Camino Real, Tustin (tucked all the way back in the corner of the El Camino Plaza shopping center) between 6th and Newport Ave.
Contact: John Olsen.
Saturday, May 2
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 snacks, wine, beer, and soft drinks. Mensa members and their accompanied guests only. $5 each.
Location: Laguna Hills.
Contact: Greg or Nancy.
Tuesday, May 5
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: giftedyouth@ocmensa.org to get the Zoom link.
Wednesday, May 6
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 the Deli sign, in the corner of a small shopping center.
Contact: John Olsen.
Thursday, May 7
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, May 10
10:30 AM Atheists Brunch
Change for May only, our usual restaurant is unavailable. The conversation is enjoyable and unstructured among like-minded friends. The ‘brunch’ will be very simple, continental breakfast and oatmeal. An RSVP is appreciated.
Location: MAY only: Laguna Beach
Contact: Joyce Farmer.
Monday, May 11
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit June 2026 calendar entries to the Calendar Editor at Calendar@ocmensa.org.
Submit June 2026 Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor at Editor@ocmensa.org.
Tuesday, May 12
6:30 PM Book Chat
Once again, we are meeting at Valerie Spear’s house. We will be discussing Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Look forward to seeing you.
Location: Tustin.
Contact: Karon Roberts.
Thursday, May 14
5:00 PM SCIHH (South County Indoor Happy Hour) – 2nd Thursday of the Month
We’re continuing indoors for Spring. The always interesting conversation follows wherever it leads, no set topic. We’ll provide beer, wine, and water. Bring a snack to share if you’re so inclined, but don’t feel obligated. Note: There are some stairs inside.
Location: Laguna Beach.
Contact: Joyce Farmer.
Saturday, May 16
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: Garden Grove.
Contact: Marti Reis.
Sunday, May 17
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM Gifted Youth: Cosmic Bowling
Gifted Youth Families are invited to bowl along with other Mensa buddies. 1-hour lane rental is $43, and shoe rentals are $6. If you would like to share a lane, reach out to Jennifer to find you a family to team up with.
Location: Concourse Bowling Center, 3364 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci.
Sunday, May 17
2:30 PM Virtual Speaker Presentation: San Francisco Regional Mensa – Zoom
Topic: Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is still Relevant
Speaker: Eugenie C Scott
2025 was the 100th anniversary of the “Trial of the Century”: Tennessee vs. John T. Scopes. The first major sally against the teaching of evolution in the US, and, mostly because of the fictional play and movie “Inherit the Wind,” Scopes is wrongly perceived as a victory for evolution over the forces of obscurantism. The full story is much more complex and interesting, involving science, religion, law, education, politics, celebrities, modern communications, and the politicization of science.
This is a Zoom Meeting.
Sunday, May 17
4:30 – 7:30 PM Celebration of Life – Cynthia Allingham
OC Mensan Cynthia Allingham passed away on March 26. This event is a celebration of her life for her family and friends. There is no cost associated with attending.
Location: Laguna Woods.
Contact: Paul McGinnis
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.
