All posts by Steven

On Tuesday, March 16th the Balboa Theater in San Francisco is hosting the world premiere of the brand new feature-length documentary “Remembering Playland.” The film features ACEers Mike Chew and Richard Tuck amongst the contributors to an in-depth study of the largest amusement park west of Chicago, San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach (1920 – 1972). Amazing vintage photographs and home movies of the park will delight anyone interested in roller coaster history. Click on the image above for more information.

On Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21 Playland-Not-at-the-Beach is hosting its annual Houdini Magic Weekend from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s indoors, open rain-or-shine, and will feature 20 awesome magicians from all over the west coast performing live. The event is FREE with admission to Playland.

Under discussion is a new attraction at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach called Rollercoaster Rampage. “Unique, thrilling and devious” are some of the descriptions being bandied about. If approvals go through, opening would be in 2011.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach nonprofit Museum of Fun, open to the public every Sat, Sun and school holiday. Open evenings for private events 365 days a year. 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 592-3002. http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org . Admission $10 for kids (to 13), $10 for seniors (55 and up), and $15 for general admission. Admission includes 34 free pinball machines, penny arcades, carnival games, treasure hunts, miniature dioramas, and surprises around every corner. ACE members receive a $5.00 discount on admission upon presentation of their ACE membership cards.

— Richard Tuck

California’s Great America opens its 2010 season on 28 March. The new season brings Planet Snoopy in place of Nickelodeon Central.

The park also will have some new food choices this year, including Panda Express.

Now would be a great time to buy your 2010 season pass. For more information and to buy your passes, visit
the California’s Great America web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

Gilroy Gardens celebrates its Tenth Anniversary season this year! Opening day is Sunday, the 28th of March. Now would be a great time to purchase your 2010 memberships. Visit their web site for more information and to buy your memberships.

For more information on planning your visit, go to
the Gilroy Gardens web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s rides are open on weekends in March until the 27th of March, when daily operation begins. March operating hours for the rides are from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The weekend of March 27th and 28th, the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove will be hosting the Central Coast Home and Garden Expo 2010. For more information and a discount coupon, see: http://www.cocoanutgrovesantacruz.com/hgexpo/

Do you have your 2010 Endless Summer season pass? What are you waiting for? Go to http://beachboardwalk.com/01_tickets.html for all the details.

Be sure to also see elsewhere in this issue: Photo report: SCBB Haunted Castle Construction.

For more information on the park, visit
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom opens for the 2010 season this Saturday, the 6th of March! The park is open on weekends in March until Thursday, March 25th, when the park will be open daily through April 11th for Spring Break.

Birthdays are big news at the park this month. If your birthday is in March, you can get in at a special price of $29.99 and receive a birthday package for more discounts inside the park. For more information, see: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/events/BirthdayAdventures.aspx

It’s Medusa’s Tenth Anniversary! Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is celebrating this milestone during Spring Break with plenty of fun and festivities, including daily ERT for season pass holders. For more details, see: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/events/SpringBreak2010.aspx

Do you have your 2010 season pass yet? Now’s a great time to get it. Learn more about the 2010 season pass pricing and benefits here: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/tickets/seasonpass.aspx

For more information about Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, check out their web site.

photo: Steven Wilson

Welcome to the February 2010 edition of ACE NorCal News!

In this issue:
2010 ACE Spring Preservation Conference
California’s Great America, February 2010 update
Gilroy Gardens, February 2010 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, February 2010 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, February 2010 update

— Steven Wilson

Have a blast at five Southern California parks during ACE’s Spring Preservation Conference on the 23rd through the 25th of April. For full details, check out the event flier: http://www.aceonline.org/fliers/SpringCon2010.pdf

— photo: Steven Wilson

California’s Great America opens its 2010 season on 28 March. The new season brings Planet Snoopy in place of Nickelodeon Central.

Now would be a great time to buy your 2010 season pass. For more information and to buy your passes, visit
the California’s Great America web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

Gilroy Gardens kicks off its 2010 season on 28th of March. Now would be a great time to purchase your 2010 memberships. Visit their web site for more information and to buy your memberships.

For more information on planning your visit, go to
the Gilroy Gardens web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s rides are open on weekends in February and on Presidents’ Day, Monday the 15th of February, for full operation. You can purchase two unlimited-ride wrist bands for the price of one on 6, 7, 13, 14, and 15 February. Then, you’ll want to go back for the 20th for the 29th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off.

For more information on the park, visit
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson