Missiles over the 5, a nationally televised Marine Corps live-fire show, and mass “No Kings Day” protests around the county and country - San Diego’s busiest weekend just landed in the political crosshairs.
The timing supercharges an already volatile weekend with a nationally televised amphibious demonstration and tens of thousands expected at “No Kings Day” protests countywide. That puts large crowds, a high-profile military spectacle, and Southern California’s busiest coastal corridor in the same spotlight.
Newsom said his office weighed freeway closures between Orange and San Diego counties after being told missiles could fly “over the I-5,” an extraordinary concern on a corridor moving upward of 80,000 travelers daily. Caltrans readied contingency plans that could have paralyzed traffic from Dana Point to Del Mar if triggered.
By nightfall, the Marines said no highways or transportation routes would be closed for the weekend events off Pendleton’s coast. They emphasized medical, fire, and emergency teams on site, multiple run-throughs, and strictly choreographed air, surface, and ground movements.
Camp Pendleton separately advised that live-fire training with high-explosive munitions will continue through Sunday inside the base. Some internal roads will close as usual for safety, but I-5 remains open under CHP and Caltrans monitoring.
The showcase - “Sea to Shore: A Review of Amphibious Strength” - marks the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary and is slated to feature Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Organizers expect roughly 15,000 Marines, sailors, veterans, and family members at the waterfront demonstration zones.
Unconfirmed reports, amplified on social media, claimed the administration would close major I-5 sections and launch “live missiles” over the roadway. The Marines have not confirmed any plan to fire over the freeway and their latest guidance rejects highway closures outright.
Even so, ship-to-shore munitions near a packed interstate invite scrutiny in a tightly built region. Pendleton’s 125,000 acres have trained amphibious forces since World War II, and coastal neighborhoods sit hard against its ranges.
Saturday’s civic calendar is equally charged with the second “No Kings Day,” a coordinated slate of nonviolent demonstrations criticizing executive overreach. Downtown’s Waterfront Park rally and march anchors a day of satellite gatherings from Ocean Beach and La Jolla to Chula Vista, Mira Mesa, and North County.
June’s first No Kings Day drew massive crowds downtown, an estimated 60,0000 people, and police are preparing for similar numbers and traffic impacts. Organizers stress de-escalation and ask participants to avoid bringing weapons of any kind.
Here’s the bottom line. Expect visible military activity on and offshore of Camp Pendleton, loud concussive booms on base, and heavier traffic near protest hubs and I-5 interchanges.
As of now, I-5 stays open, with CHP handling rolling breaks only if needed and Caltrans ready with detours if conditions change. If you’re traveling between counties - or into downtown for rallies - pad your drive, consider the Coaster and trolley, and follow posted guidance.
San Diego can handle big weekends, but this one mixes spectacle, dissent, and the region’s main artery. Stay flexible, stay informed, and plan like your route depends on it - because this weekend, it does.
Originally published on October 16, 2025.
