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, February 19
5:00 PM SCIHH (South County Indoor Happy Hour)
We’re continuing indoors for the winter. The always interesting conversation follows wherever it leads, no set topic. We’ll provide the 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, February 21
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Gifted Youth: Board Game Fun & Swap
Bring your favorite game(s) to play and a game or two you’d like to trade. The more you bring to trade, the more you can take home! This event will be held at a church with a large parking lot and lots of tables to play games, so feel free to invite your friends. A few snacks will be provided, feel free to bring something to share as well.
Location: Costa Mesa.
Sunday, February 22
10:45 AM Brunch Buddies
We are checking out a relatively new spot called The Pan. Breakfast, Pizza Burgers. 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: The Pan. 1804 N. Tustin Ave. Santa Ana.
Contact: Valerie Spear or John Olsen.
Wednesday, February 25
12:35 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
Join us at El Camino Café for some distinctive Mexican food. You’ll find their sauces to be rather intriguing, maybe you’ll love them and maybe you won’t. Come for Chilaquiles, Burritos, Quesadillas, Tortas and more.
Location: El Camino Café. 195 El Camino Real, Tustin. Corner of Second St.
Contact: John Olsen.
Sunday, March 1
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.
Tuesday, March 3
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. We parents of young ones will definitely benefit from those who have gone before us.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci at giftedyouth@ocmensa.org to get the Zoom link.
Wednesday, March 4
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 Olsen5.
Thursday, March 5
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, March 7
12:30 PM Let’s Go See a Movie: Hoppers
Watch the new Disney & Pixar movie Hoppers with us. “When scientists discover a way to transform human consciousness into robotic animals, Mabel uses the new technology to uncover mysteries of the animal world that are beyond anything she could have ever imagined.”
Open to all OC Mensans, not just Gifted Youth families.
Reach out to Jennifer with questions or to RSVP.
Location: Regal Irvine Spectrum, 500 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci.
5:00 – 8:00 PM Open House Party
This month’s Open House is at the home of Stephen and Rima Masek. Please join us for a fun time socializing with your fellow Mensans. Finger foods, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included at the low price of $5 per person. Open to all members and their guests who accompany them. For those who are interested: Stephen collects and restores radios, mainly those made in the 1930s and 1940s, so those who attend will be able to see and hear them.
If you plan to attend, PLEASE RSVP by Friday, March 6 or earlier.
Location: Mission Viejo.
Contact: Stephen Masek.
Sunday, March 8
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, March 9
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit April 2026 calendar entries to the Calendar Editor.
Submit April 2026 Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor.
Thursday, March 12
5:00 PM SCIHH (South County Indoor Happy Hour) Moves to 2nd Thursday of the Month
We’re continuing indoors for the winter. The always interesting conversation follows wherever it leads, no set topic. We’ll provide the 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, March 14
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Cutting-Edge and Big Ideas SIG
We’ll meet monthly to share big ideas, friendship, and fun. We’ll discuss articles, books, and knowledge about lots of cool topics not limited to: Cutting-edge Science, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Technology, Economics, History, Politics, Biography, Inspirational Leadership, Philosophy, Brain Science, Learning & Thinking, Positive Psychology, Emotional Intelligence, Gifted Minds, Futurism, Cultural & Physical Evolution, as well as AI & Machine Learning. We will be reading a cutting-edge or big idea book each month, chosen by our members. Meetings are the second Saturday of each month and after our intellectual fun together we can join the Mensa group at the Whale and Ale down the street. Come for the exciting conversation, stay for the connection, fun, and friendship.
Location: Sirens Java & Tea, 402 W 7th St, San Pedro.
Contact: Jennifer.
3:00 PM New Member Meet & Greet and Mensa 101
If you joined Mensa within the last year (or if you have been a member for a while but haven’t attended very much and you want to know more about Mensa), you are invited to join us for coffee or iced tea, casual conversation, and an orientation to Mensa. Meet other new members and learn from a few of OCM’s more experienced members about Orange County Mensa and how to make the most of your Mensa membership.
Directions: Oak Creek Shopping Center, 5653 Alton Parkway, Irvine. Outside on the patio in front of the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
Contact: Angie Mattson
Note: This orientation will be of interest primarily to adult members (18 years of age and older). Members under the age of 18 and their families can email our Gifted Youth Coordinator for information on gifted youth programming.
Wednesday, March 18
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, Rockwell’s Bakery, 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa #116, San Clemente, rockwellsbakery.com/san-clemente.
Directions: Exit I-5 at Pico, go west (toward the ocean) for a third of a mile, and turn right at Vista Hermosa. Go 800 feet and turn right into the Outlets shopping center. Turn right again when the entrance way dead-ends. Go 400 feet; the restaurant is on your left.
Contact: Tom Streeter.
Tuesday, March 24
6:30 PM Book Chat
Once again, we are meeting at Valerie Spear’s house. We will be discussing The Alchemist’s Daughter by Mary Lawrence. Look forward to seeing you.
Location: Tustin.
Contact: If you need directions or encouragement text Karon Roberts.
Wednesday, March 25
12:35 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
Burns Road is a famous food street in Pakistan. It’s also a cafe blending South Asian flavors with classic American burgers, chicken, and salads. And it’s Halal. Join us for a taste adventure.
Location: Burns Road, 15712 Tustin Village Way, Tustin,
Contact: John Olsen.
