Fall/Winter in NorCal

Just giving a Fall/Winter plug to my little parks up here in NorCal since most people don't realize our parks aren't done yet with the season.

If you're in the Bay Area this weekend, SFMW will be extending it's season for one more Saturday, 11/6 per the email I received:

The season continues with one last chance to visit Six Flags Marine World in 2004.
By popular demand Six Flags Marine World will be open to the general public for one last operating day on November 6th from 10-5pm.
Gather the whole family and enjoy Shouka one last time!
Thank you again for another wonderful season. Make sure to stay tuned to sixflags.com for exciting new news for 2005.

Starting Thanksgiving Weekend, Bonfante Gardens will hold it's first ever Holiday Lights celebration:

http://www.bonfantegardens.com/

This is something Michael Bonfante has been wanting to do since the parks first season, but financially wasn't able to. The scaled back one night only version they had a few years back was truly spectacular, I can only imagine how much more dazzling this full scale version will be.

And as always, the SCBB will be open most weekends and all Christmas week for some classic woodie/park goodness. Be sure to join NorCal ACE'rs on New Years Day for our annual first coaster rides of the new year if you're in the area.

Ahhh...the boardwalk. I really miss going there. And I still need to go to BG!

"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

Does NorCal(San Fran area) really get cold in the winter, I mean like cold enough like Kansas City?

-Cal

its in the woods.........

Not at all, may not get as much sunshine as SoCal, but temps are pretty mild year round. Pre-SF Marine World used to be a year round park, don't see any reason why it couldn't still be.

Regarding BG Eric, you have no idea what your missing! (being from the area originally, you would appreciate the novelty of being spun around in a garlic bulb!).

Forget the California parks and go to Silver Dollar City. Their Old Time Christmas Festival is one of the most magical events I have ever been to. I think they make Disney look puny when it comes to decorations. There are lights EVERYWHERE! The parade is a lot of fun, and the Dicken's Christmas Carol is unbelieveable. In fact that show puts a lot Disney's to shame. The park is open until the last weekend in December.

Silver Dollar City - You've got a great past right before you.

That's fine and all, but I'm not so sure my holiday travels will take me to MO.

That being said, I'd love to check out SDC. But I still need to get my garlic on. ;)

"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

And when in Gilroy, drop by O.D.'s, downtown around 4th by the railroad tracks, for the best garlic-laiden dishes in town. And swing by Garlic World on your way out for some garlic ice cream. Chocolate is simply sublime, but the vanilla was good as well.
ANY chance to visit BG should not be missed. My jaw hurt for days after my visit (I got tired of picking it up after I rounded every corner so I eventually just let it drag for the rest of the day). I can't say enough about the place. I never wrote a full TR because there is no way I could convey the rush of feelings I was subjected to. Magical? You bet! Wondrous? That too! I'm not at a loss of words often, but I don't think I've ever seen a park as beautiful as BG.
Not much in the way of actual thrill rides, but my day there was The Best Day I Have Ever Had At Any Park. Period.
Yes, better than PKI, CP, IB, HW, etc.
Though all of the above are a close second...

They Live. We Sleep.

Robo...check yer email.

And yes, Bonfonte is not to be missed. Most. Beautiful. Park. Ever.

mOOSH [yes, I've been to BGW]

When I win the lottery, I'll donate a woodie to them...just as long as they name it after me. ;)

"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

So it'll be a kiddie woodie, eh Eric? ;)

Noice! I was supposed to go to Marine World last weekend but I opted to say and hit the Halloween Party in the Castro instead. I can get my Medusa fix afterall. I never knew SCBB was open year round either. Another park I'm past due in visiting.

Fate is the path of least resistance.

RCPro has posted some pics from opening weekend of Holiday Lights for those interested:

http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/bg11.29.04/

Not my pics and not the best pics (why take daylight pics of nightlights???), but gives you an idea of the amazing displays.

Thanks for the pics, John ;)

jomo said:
Not my pics and not the best pics (why take daylight pics of nightlights???), but gives you an idea of the amazing displays.

I am sorry the pics are not up to your standards but did you even bother to look through the majority of the pictures? The first two pages had daytime/nighttime comparison photos followed by a few pages of day photos followed by more night photos. Over half the update is NIGHT photos. *** Edited 11/30/2004 8:21:51 AM UTC by Matthew***

Holy defensive, Batman!

(ok, so I like the old 60's version)

coasterimage - lordgonchar

Big vocabulary ruins the effect =)

Damn, wish I had some bucks to spend on getting out to CA or MO. I love light displays! Oh well ... thanks for the pics.

Holy Wiggidy-Whack Batman!

--Brett, who enjoys mixing eras ...

Matthew, not sure if those were your pics or not, but if so, I apologize for my comments. I'm just a jerk, don't pay any attention to my comments, doesn't mean anything to anyone but me. You (or whoever) took some great pics and I appreciate that they're out there for all of us to enjoy.

And to be honest, these came out ALOT better than my attempt at photographing Holiday Lights with my new digital camera, (still have yet to figure out all the settings :o(