I never really close my pool in Ca.. there is enough warm weather through the winter months that prevent me from doing that.. but not enough sun to warm it for swimming. It doesn't really freeze here to the point I have to worry about winterization. The water temp will drop into the high 40's, so I chlorinate with liquid CL when the SWG is too cold to function. The chlorine demand is pretty low during those months and I am mostly dealing with overflow from the winter rains.. so we just fire up the spa whenever we want. About once or twice a winter I will heat the whole pool for a birthday party .. It takes about a day, and costs less in gas than renting a party room at a pizza place. So I don't know if you have to winterize all your equipment and shut it down.. that would present a problem if you just want to run your spa.
BTW Say hi to Philly for me.. my Dad was from Filthydelphia as he would say. So I know how the weather patterns go there, I've spent enough time in the area visiting family.
I learned so much along the way last year.
