San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds, Salt evaporation ponds in San Francisco Bay, California, US
The San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds form a 16,500-acre network of shallow pools where seawater evaporates to produce salt through natural processes.
These ponds originated during the California Gold Rush era of the 1850s when local families began industrial salt production to meet preservation needs.
The area maintains connections to Native American heritage, as the Ohlone people collected salt from these lands before European settlement.
Visitors can observe the salt ponds from multiple hiking trails along the bay, with winter months offering the best opportunities for bird watching.
The ponds change color from green to pink due to specific microorganisms that thrive in high-salinity environments during the evaporation process.
Location: California
GPS coordinates: 37.49689,-122.11453
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:46
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