Last night's sunset behind the bridge was another reminder that this city's greatest asset requires no committees, no consultants, no environmental impact reports, and no bond measures. It just shows up. Every single day. On time — which is more than we can say for Muni.

The scene also spotlighted the wild purple blooms of Echium candicans — Pride of Madeira — that have become a staple of the headlands landscape this time of year. They're gorgeous, no question. But as one SF resident pointed out, "they are an invasive plant that take over native plants." A fitting metaphor for a lot of things in this town, if you think about it.

Here's what strikes us: San Francisco spends staggering sums trying to manufacture the kind of livability and beauty that draws people here. Meanwhile, the stuff that actually makes people fall in love with the city — the light hitting the bridge towers, the fog rolling through the Marin Headlands, the Pacific horizon doing its thing — costs taxpayers exactly nothing.

We're not saying city government should just pack it in and let sunsets handle everything (though some departments could take notes on efficiency). But there's a lesson here about what actually creates value. The bridge itself was a marvel of engineering completed on time and under budget back in 1937. Imagine pitching that track record to City Hall today — they'd call it science fiction.

So next time you're stuck doom-scrolling through budget overruns and bureaucratic dysfunction, do yourself a favor. Head to Baker Beach, the Presidio, or Lands End around 7:30 p.m. Take a breath. Watch the free show.

It's the best return on zero investment this city has ever produced.