Traditionally the state parks in California are operated off of funds generated by hunting and fishing licenses, park fees and illegal game fines. Also a limited amount of money is brought in by voter approved funds. The reasons for the closures are merely political ploy and have nothing to do with the costs.
About sixteen years ago the state of California tried the same thing, but some worthwhile reporters discovered that the employment earnings of the park workers and game wardens were through the generated fines of poachers, and in fact these fines created a surplus.It is also a known fact that in a depressed economy that
people do not make long travel vacations, but do make more visits to
local parks as they are a lower cost.
This is a good example of the foolishness of our politicians. They do not make deep studies before reallocating public funds. They are cutting programs that generate funds. An old saying comes to mind: Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. The statement is true now as the day it was first spoke.