These spectacular landscapes may look like something from another planet – but they are in fact colorful salt ponds which stretch for miles. Despite being better known for tech companies and expensive property – San Francisco, California is also home to this vibrant quilt of color spanning the South Bay Area. From eerie green pools to gothic shades of red the surreal landscapes are caused by the organisms or micro-algae living within them. Photo: Aerial view of the salt ponds in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Cris Benton/Caters News)

A visitor takes in a view of the downtown district from Twin Peaks on Friday, January 9, 2015, in San Francisco. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

This September 22, 2014 photo, shows a building with street art murals in the Santurce neighborhood in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Ricardo Arduengo/AP Photo)

The contest began in 2007, and since then photographers from more than 70 countries have entered. Photo: Michael O'Neal of San Francisco won first place in the animals category in the 2014 iPhone Photography Awards. (Photo by Michael O'Neal)

A costumed fan attends Comic-Con International 2014 – Day 1 on July 24, 2014 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

Two men fight in San Jose, Costa Rica, during the Women's Day on March 8, 2014. (Photo by Jeffrey Arguedas/EFE/SIPA Press)

An animal rights protester demonstrates for the abolition of bull runs and bullfights, three days before the start of the famous running of the bulls San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 4, 2015. (Photo by Eloy Alonso/Reuters)

A woman poses for pictures with skulls made of cardboard placed on an altar next to the San Francisco church in Mexico City during the celebration of All Souls Day on November 2, 2015. (Photo by Yuri Cortez/AFP Photo)