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, August 17
2:30 PM Virtual Presentation, San Francisco Regional Mensa
Topic: Technology of Space; Speaker: Ron Baraze
There are numerous spacecraft and satellites orbiting the earth, providing us with valuable data on weather patterns, climate change and communications. Learn about Lockheed Martin’s many innovative projects for space.
Ron Baraze has worked on 23 space flight projects for Lockheed Martin, and has partnered with higher learning institutions such as Stanford University, Oxford Physics Department, University of Huntsville and the Enrico Fermi Institute.
This is a Zoom meeting. Please register at in advance.
Wednesday, August 20
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; head inland a half mile; on the right.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Thursday, August 21
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. We’ll try to be here every month through October.
Location: Orange.
Contact: John Olsen
Wednesday, August 27
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
We’re feeling like sushi. Maybe you are too. Otherwise, you can go with one of the many cooked items at Orange Roll & Sushi
Location: Orange Roll & Sushi, 139 West 1st St., Ste. A, (at El Camino Real), Tustin
Contact: John Olsen
Sunday, August 31
3:00 PM Picnic & Luau
Join us for a picnic and luau on Labor Day eve in Valerie Spear’s backyard in Tustin. We’ll enjoy a sumptuous Hawaiian-themed meal, including Kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, Hawaiian pasta salad, rice, Hawaiian bread, and other dishes, as well as soft drinks, water, beer, and wine. When you’re not busy eating and visiting with your fellow Mensans, you can have fun playing bocce, croquet, and other games.
$5.00/per person. Suggestion: Wear a Hawaiian shirt if you have one.
You can help by bringing picnic blankets, chairs, or games. Want to really help? Volunteer by calling/texting Valerie.
Location: Tustin.
Contact: Valerie
Wednesday, September 3
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
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
Thursday, September 4
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, September 7
3:00 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 Greg De Hoogh to receive the login information/link for joining the meeting.
Contact: Greg De Hoogh, OCM President
Monday, September 8
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit October calendar entries to the Calendar Editor.
Submit October Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor.
Thursday, September 11
5:00 PM SCPHH (South County Patio Happy Hour)
We’ll provide the 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, September 14
10:30 AM Atheists United Orange Co., Second Sunday Meeting
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.
Location: The restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. (The cross street is Birch, near the airport).
Contact: Joyce Farmer
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Gifted Youth: Icebreaker Picnic
All Mensa families with children under 18 are invited to this Icebreaker Picnic. Whether you are a Young Mensan or the child of a Mensa member, join us at to get to know each other. We will have ice-themed crafts, games, puzzles and popsicles for everyone to enjoy.
Parents can meet the new Gifted Youth Coordinator and share ideas for what the Gifted Youth Program can do for your family. Please RSVP with ages of attending children to ensure we have enough supplies and age-appropriate activities for your family. Plenty of parking is available. We will have a shade canopy set up behind the playground. Bring blankets or chairs, water, sunscreen and park supplies like sand toys, balls, or frisbees.
Location: Irvine
Contact: Jennifer Colucci
Wednesday, September 17
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:. Greek Bistro, 25292 McIntyre, Laguna Hills
Directions: Exit I-5 at La Paz and go coastward. Go 1/4 mile to McIntyre, turn left, and go 600 feet. Restaurant is on your left.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Wednesday, September 24
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
It’s time for Döner Kebabs and gyros! Join us at Döner G in Santa Ana for some Turkish delights. If the weather is good we can dine outside and people will have the option of getting food from the other adjacent eateries.
Location: 121 E. Memory Lane Santa Ana, next to Mother’s Market.
Contact: John Olsen
Thursday, September 25
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, September 28
10:45 AM Brunch Buddies
Join us for brunch! We’re back at El Matatan for all their Latin American specialties 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: El Matatan 1446 East Katella Ave, Orange
Contact: Valerie Spear or John Olsen
Tuesday, September 30
6:30 PM Book Chat
Book Chat is back from its absolutely fabulous summer vacay. This time we will be discussing a character, rather than a book. So dust off your fav Jack Reacher adventure and come join us. As always, we don’t care if you’ve read any of the Jack Reacher stories. We value your opinions and company.
Location: Tustin.
Contact: Karon Roberts