The South Bay salt ponds are one of the most visually stunning features of the Bay Area landscape, and most locals couldn't tell you what they are. The short version: different concentrations of salt and various species of algae create a natural rainbow effect across the evaporation ponds. As one local put it, "each pond has different levels so you get these wild rainbow effects — looks trippy from the air for sure but it's just salt production."

What makes this story actually interesting from a policy perspective is what's happening to these ponds now. A massive restoration effort is underway to convert thousands of acres of former salt production land back into tidal marshlands. The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project is one of the largest wetland restoration efforts on the West Coast.

And here's where we'll tip our cap: this is actually a solid example of public-private coordination that makes sense. Restoring wetlands provides natural flood protection for surrounding communities — including areas like Alviso that are increasingly vulnerable to sea level rise — without requiring expensive concrete infrastructure. Natural buffers instead of taxpayer-funded seawalls? That's the kind of environmental policy we can get behind.

The salt ponds are a reminder that the Bay Area's most remarkable features aren't always the ones venture capitalists are pitching. Sometimes the coolest thing about this region is literally just salt, water, and algae doing their thing under the California sun.

Next time you're flying in, grab that window seat. The light show is free — which, in the Bay Area, might be the most remarkable thing of all.