Why do NoCal parks close for the winter?

It doesn't snow so why do they close? My only guess is because it rains but it doesn't rain THAT much during the winter.
-----------------
"I’m more than a bird..I’m more than a plane...More than some pretty face beside a train...It’s not easy to be me"-Five for Fighting "Superman" dedicated to all of the hardworking rescuers of the WTC...

Ummmm..I think I can answer your question partly.  I don't know about PGA, but SFMW closes as more of a cost issue than anything else.  Granted, both parks  could   stay open during the off season, but it's also a weather issue.  It does rain a whole lot more up here than let's say SoCal.  That and it's also pretty cold (not freezing but cold enough).  Recall that before, SFMW when it was known as Marine World Africa USA stayed open at least two days of each week during the winter and fall months.  It was only under Six Flags management that it actually closed in Oct and reopened in Mar.  Matter of fact, it was a big thing when it closed for the first time during the off season, the local news ran a story on it.  As for why PGA closes, probably weather related.  Ummm...anyone with PGA for their homepark want to comment?
-----------------
Off season too long...can't go on...must ride coaster...

It can and does snow in Northern California.  I remember being in the SFMM area as a kid when it snowed.

Wild Adventures in Valdosta (can't wait to be able to use WA, that's another topic - ;~)...is open on weekends year round, and it does get COLD in N FL/S Ga area (worse than NoCal)...snow is pretty rare though.  I think they should stay open on weekends a little later (PGA's season in '00 ended on 10/15).  SFoG ended operations real early this year (before Halloween), and they're about three hours' north of WA...(using the abbreviation already).
-----------------
PoTP acolyte - remove fear to reply
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

Cool weather(even if its not snow type cold) + low attendance= Not worth opening the park.
-----------------
""An hour wait for a 2 minute thrill. Yes, we need our heads examined""

It does snow in Northern California, but in theme park wise.. PGA and SFMW is in the bay area and that it really never snows in the bay area. Only once in a decade or so haha

I live in Nocal and PGA is my home park, there is no way anyone here would ever go to an amusment park Nov.- Feb. The weather is cold, but more than bearable, (it was mid 40's last night, thats about as cold as it gets) The weather this winter has been miserable and its rained way more than usual. But SCBB is open weekends and it's 30 mil from PGA. I think if a park wanted to, it defenlty could but parks like SFMM stay open becuase were they are, the parks in Anahiem are open year a round so they stay open along with them. Even though SFMM is only a little warmer than here. People in Nocal go to the snow in the winter, and coasters in the summer, It's always going to be that way :)

The Santa Cruz  Beach Boardwalk doesn't close, I go all of the time.

-----------------
-Eric
"My dream is to ride Janet Jackson on X"

I live in Norcal, and I have always wondered why the parks are closed in the winter too. Other than on rainy days (which we've had quite a lot of recently, but a lot less than most places nationwide), everyone pretty much walks around with a t-shirt on year round during the day. Nighttime is a different story though (we have to bundle up even on summer nights). It never gets "cold" here, just a little chilly. When I went to SFMW in October, it was great. There is nothing better than feeling that cool breeze on your face on the first drop. Las Vegas coasters are open year round, and it gets a lot colder there during the winter, so I don't think weather has anything to do with it.

 

The only reason why LA area and Orlando parks are open year round is because those are famous tourist destinations (although San Francisco is also). PGA and SFMW are more local parks. Less out of towners go there than, say IOA or SFMM. The management of Norcal parks figure the attendance wouldn't be high enough to warrant a year round schedule. Besides, it gives them more time to do maintenance.

 

I guess the same thing can be said for Texas parks? It doesn't get too cold there, does it?

Oh yeah. Rain probably doesn't have anything to do with it because Orlando rains more than most other places combined.