Where to Watch the Artemis II Splashdown in California — Live Watch Parties & Streams (Apr 10)

California residents can gather across the state to celebrate the historic return of the Artemis II crew on Friday, April 10. NASA estimates splashdown will occur at about 5:07 p.m. PT off the coast of San Diego. The astronauts launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1.

Earth’s crescent is seen from a solar array camera on the Orion spacecraft on the first flight day of the Artemis II mission.

Watch Party Locations in California

San Diego Air & Space Museum

The museum is hosting a family pajama party with splashdown coverage beginning at 4 p.m. Viewing is included with museum admission.

A view of the Earth from NASA’s Orion spacecraft as it orbits above the planet during the Artemis II test flight.

Hotel Del Coronado — "Moon Deck"

The hotel will transform its Sun Deck into a "Moon Deck" starting at 4 p.m. and will feature a specialty cocktail called "The Splashdown." Check the hotel’s social channels for any updates.

In an image posted by NASA on April 3, 2026, shows a full disk image of Earth, as seen from the Orion capsule. The planet is pale blue, swirling with white clouds and glowing slightly lighter blue in places from reflected light. From the lower left, a large brown landmass is Africa, with the Iberian peninsula twinkling with lights just where the planet curves. In the upper right, aurora glow in a thin green glow, just barely separated from the planet’s surface. Earth is set against the black of space.

Columbia Memorial Space Center (Downey)

The center is holding a free watch party starting at 4 p.m. — see the center’s website for details and any schedule adjustments.

In an image posted by NASA on April 3, 2026, One-third of Earth is seen through the Orion capsule window as the NASA Artemis II mission continues towards the moon. Although Earth only fills a fraction of the image it is the brightest object in the image. The capsule window is surrounded by a thick frame held in place with bolts. It is dark in the capsule, but the outlines of straps and various components of the capsule are visible.

Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland)

Chabot will host a splashdown event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission includes activities and a live viewing; experts from NASA’s Ames Research Center will join the event.

This screen grab from NASA's feed released on April 3, 2026, shows the four Artemis II crew members (L-R) Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist and Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot as they head to orbit the Moon for the first time in more than half a century.

USS Hornet Museum (Alameda)

The museum will air NASA’s live coverage during regular hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and may stay open later depending on NASA’s timing to show the splashdown.

This screen grab from NASA's feed released on April 3, 2026, shows the four Artemis II crew members (L-R) Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist (hidden), NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist and Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot as they head to orbit the Moon for the first time in more than half a century.

How To Watch From Home

If you can’t attend an in-person event, NASA and partner outlets will stream the splashdown live. Streaming platforms carrying coverage include:

• Amazon Prime
• HBO Max
• NASA+
• Netflix
• Peacock
• YouTube

Local outlet TODAY Californian will also stream the splashdown on its YouTube page.

Timing & Contact

NASA estimates splashdown at about 5:07 p.m. PT Friday, April 10, off the coast of San Diego. The Artemis II crew launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1. For local press inquiries, Paris Barraza covers Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network ([email protected]).

Note: Times are approximate and subject to change based on NASA’s final timeline. Check venue websites or social channels before you go.