An aerial view of salt ponds during sunset at Alviso Marina County Park in the San Francisco Bay in San Jose, Calif., on Sept. 7, 2023.
If you’ve ever flown into San Francisco International Airport, you’ve probably seen it from the sky: a pink, murky body of water in Santa Clara County situated just along the bay. This salt pond — known as Pond A12 — has become a surprisingly iconic local landmark, drawing scores of influencers who claim it’s a “hidden gem” and a must-see travel destination. After years of drawing crowds, the pond is swarming with so many influencers that officials say they’re recklessly endangering legally protected wildlife and degrading their unique home in the process.
By now, it’s no secret that scores of people have been trespassing at Pond A12 for years. The area, which is part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, has posted signs that advise visitors to take photos from the trail instead of the shoreline. Nevertheless, some appear not to care: Multiple videos on TikTok show visitors walking right up to it anyway.
Though it’s........