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, 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
Wednesday, October 1
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
Join us for sandwiches and conversation and maybe a beer. Will it be a Craig or Great Scott? 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, October 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
Saturday, October 4
7:00 PM Open House Party
This month’s Open House is at the home of Ann Harvey and Barry Ader for an enjoyable evening of food, drink, and socializing. Mensa members and their accompanied guests $5 each.
Location: Huntington Beach
Contact: Ann Harvey/Barry Ader
Thursday, October 9
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, October 12
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. If you have questions, please call or text David Doss of Atheists United Orange County at 714-264-4750. Or go to: meetup.com/orange-county-second-sunday-brunch/events. 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, October 13
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit November calendar entries to the Calendar Editor.
Submit November Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor .
Wednesday, October 15
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: Flamingos, 25342 McIntyre, Laguna Hills
Directions: Exit I-5 at La Paz and go coastward. Go 1/4 mile to McIntyre, turn left, and go 800 feet. Restaurant is on your left.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Saturday, October 18
2:00 PM Games, Puzzles, Origami, & Conversation
Join us for a fun and relaxing afternoon 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
Sunday, October 19
2:30 PM San Francisco Regional Mensa Speaker Series (via Zoom)
Topic: A Trip to the Center of Our Galaxy
Speaker: Anna Ciurlo
The heart of the Milky Way is home to Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole approximately four million times the mass of the Sun. Although it remains largely quiet today, it is surrounded by a turbulent sea of gas, dust, and exotic objects that could one day trigger dramatic outbursts.
This is a Zoom meeting.
Thursday, October 23
5:00 PM LOT (Last Odd Thursday)
LOT – Last Odd Thursday meets for the last time this year. 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, October 25
10:00 AM Gifted Youth: UCI Tour
Mensa teens (7th-12th graders) including Gifted Youth members, children or grandchildren of members, and their friends are invited to see what a college campus is like. The tour is free of charge but will have time at the food court where meals can be purchased. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian. Please RSVP to the gifted youth coordinator with the number of people who plan to attend. More details will be provided when an RSVP is received.
Location: University of California, Irvine
Contact: Jennifer Colucci
Wednesday, October 29
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
Let’s try a new Mexican place. It’s time for tacos and burritos. Join us at The Taco Stand located two blocks west of the Orange Plaza on Chapman.
Location: 240 W Chapman Ave, Orange. There is a free city parking garage a half block north.
Contact: John Olsen
