Video: Newport Offers Refuge from 'Carmegeddon'

A local tourism group is using the planned weekend closure of the 405 Freeway—what officials are calling "Carmegeddon"—to market Newport Beach to Los Angeles residents.

Visit Newport Beach wants to convince Angelinos that Newport is the place to go to beat the gridlock when the 405 is shut down in both directions from Getty Center Drive to the 101 Freeway for 53 hours while the south side of the Mulholland Bridge is demolished. The closure begins late Friday.

The campaign includes print and radio ads and a video advertising special offers by Newport hotels, mostly complementary meals and parking.