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, December 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
Saturday, December 6
Deadline for Reservations for OCM Holiday Party
Celebrate the holiday season with your fellow Mensans on Sunday, December 14, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Santa Ana. All Mensans and their guests are invited. $20 per adult/teen or $10/per child (age 12 and under) includes all-you-can-eat buffet brunch, sweets, soft drinks, and water. Those 21 years of age and older will also have the option of champagne and other holiday drinks included in the $20 price.
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED – so we know how much food to order. To reserve, send $20 per adult/teen or $10 per child (age 12 & under) either via PayPal or by mailing a check. Indicate the name of each attendee and ages of children and teens. Also indicate dietary restrictions: vegetarian OR gluten free.
Online: www.PayPal.com – send to treasurer@ocmensa.org
Check: Make payable to Orange County Mensa. Mail to Treasurer Meg Sulzen.
Monday, December 8
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit January 2026 calendar entries to the Calendar Editor at Calendar@ocmensa.org .
Submit January 2026 Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor at Editor@ocmensa.org .
Wednesday, December 10
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
Join us for sandwiches and conversation and maybe a beer. We’re a week late this month due to our schedule.
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
Sunday, December 14
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM OC Mensa Holiday Party
Celebrate the holiday season with your fellow Mensans at our annual Holiday Party! We will enjoy an all-you-can-eat brunch with a variety of beverages. Paid reservations were required by Saturday, December 6.
Silent Auction to benefit the OC Mensa Scholarship Fund: We have a variety of artwork, handmade items, games, books, puzzles, museum tickets, autographed memorabilia, and other items for our auction. We can accept cash, checks or credit/debit cards, so come prepared to bid and take home some great items to give away as holiday gifts or to keep for yourself.
Location: Santa Ana.
Contact: Parking or directions: Ken Burke. Reservations or silent auction: Meg Sulzen,. Other questions or to volunteer to help: John Olsen.
Wednesday, December 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: 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 inland 1/4 mile, and turn right at The Shops Boulevard.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Saturday, December 20
2:00 – 4:00 PM Best Friends Forever Round Table (LA and OC Group)
Are you interested in meeting friends on a deeper intellectual and emotional level? Are you yearning for deep discussions, intimate connections, and philosophical humor? Have you always fantasized about sitting at the famous Algonquin Round Table with brilliant and funny friends? We’ll meet at the ocean. This group is open to LA and Orange County Mensa members so you’ll meet new friends. Come for the ocean breezes, great food, and microbrews, stay for the intimate friendships. We’ll meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
Location: Belmont Brewing Company (Beach front view) 25 39th Place, Long Beach
Contact: Please RSVP to Jennifer Minette
Saturday, December 27
2:00 – 4:00 PM Books with Bite Book (LA and OC Group)
Good books pack a punch; great books are life changing. We’re after both. Join your smart friends and share ideas, friendship, and laughter. We’ll be reading one book each month, alternating between topical, insightful, and mentally engaging non-fiction with deep, powerful, and compelling fiction. Something for everyone. This group is open to LA and Orange County Mensa members so you’ll meet new friends. We will start with Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman. Come for the ocean breezes, great food, and micro brews, stay for the intimate friendships. We’ll meet on the 4th Saturday of each month to allow a month to read the book.
Location: Belmont Brewing Company (Beach front view) 25 39th Place, Long Beach
Contact: Please RSVP to Jennifer Minette
