Need Friday night plans? Catch tonight’s SpaceX launch from these SoCal spots

KTLA ^ | 07/10/2026 | Lily Dallow

[BenLurkin]

Los Angeles County

Point Dume State Beach, Malibu -- One of the closest public beaches to the launch path,

Point Dume offers wide-open views over the Pacific.

Santa Monica Beach With an unobstructed view toward the northwest over the ocean, Santa Monica Beach is an easy option for Westside residents and remains accessible into the evening.

Rocky Peak Park, Simi Valley

Orange County

Inspiration Point, Corona del Mar -- The bluff-top overlook provides sweeping ocean views and an excellent vantage point to watch the rocket climb after liftoff.

Heisler Park, Laguna Beach

The cliffside park’s paved pathways and west-facing coastline make it another favorite for rocket watchers.

San Clemente Pier

For those in south Orange County, the pier and surrounding beachfront offer a clear view over the Pacific.

Inland Empire

Rim of the World Highway scenic pullouts Several overlooks along Highway 18 provide high-elevation views above much of the basin, helping clear the surrounding mountain ranges.

Face west to northwest shortly before launch. If liftoff occurs near the beginning of the window, just after sunset, you may see the colorful “space jellyfish” effect as sunlight illuminates the rocket’s exhaust high in the atmosphere. Launch times can change due to weather or technical issues, so check SpaceX’s live countdown before heading out. Be mindful of park closing times and only watch from public areas where parking is permitted.

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TOPICS: Outdoors
KEYWORDS: california; elonmusk; falcon9; spacex; spacexlaunch; starlink; starlinklaunch

[BenLurkin]

Caveat, I think you’d be nuts to go to any of these places at night, particularly the remote locations.

[Regulator]

Corona Del Mar? Laguna Beach?

You worried that a drunk venture capitalist might veer off the road and run into someone?!

[eyeamok]

In Acton we see it all the time, it comes right over us

[Az Joe]

If it gets delayed to around 8:15 we can see it from Phoenix. Has to be just right.

[ifinnegan]

Thanks.

What time?

[BenLurkin]

seven to ten Pacific, I think.

[eldoradude]

Launch scheduled for 8 PM Pacific time.

Starlink Mission

[SunkenCiv]

👍🚀🚀

Launch Pad Live:
SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Falcon 9, Starship, and ULA Atlas 5
Spaceflight Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thfYPsRqxmw

[ifinnegan]

Thanks!

[SunkenCiv]

[Streamed live 114 minutes ago ] Watch live coverage as SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket from California with 24 satellites for the company's Starlink space-based internet service. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for Friday, July 10, at 8:01 p.m. PDT (11:01 p.m. EDT / 0301 UTC). 

The first-stage booster, serial number B1071, launching for a 35th time, will land on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' nearly 8.5 minutes into the flight. 

The Starlink 17-48 mission will take a southerly trajectory upon departure from Vandenberg. 

Live: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from California with 24 Starlink internet satellites | 47:00 
Spaceflight Now | 25,641 views | July 10, 2026

[SunkenCiv]

Transcript [excerpt]

SpaceX Launch Coverage

And for a 35th time, B 1071 has safely landed... That was flight number 35 for booster 1071. The 663rd Falcon 9 launch to date. The 81st of the year so far. 82nd orbital launch for SpaceX, including their one Falcon Heavy at this point. Looking towards Falcon Heavy number two in August.

This was SpaceX’s 598th Falcon booster reflight or the launch of a booster that has flown at least once.

This was the company’s 163rd orbital launch within the last 365 days. The 213th orbital launch from pad 4 east for SpaceX and the 282nd overall orbital launch from this pad as well...

This was the 209th landing of a booster on the drone ship. Of course, I still love you. That marked SpaceX’s 527th drone ship landing.

The 636th booster landing for SpaceX and the 639th overall landing of an orbital class rocket, including the two from Blue Origin and now for the first time the first from China with a successful recovery and catch of the booster from the Long March 10B rocket.

[Blennos]

And for a 35th time, B 1071 has safely landed.

35 successful landings for something that seemed impossible just a couple of decades ago. I remain amazed at the audacity and competence of SpaceX. Showing others the way.