Magnetic Declination in the San Francisco Bay Area: ~14° East

The current magnetic declination for the San Francisco Bay Area is approximately 14° East (as of 2024; it changes ~0.1°–0.2° per year).

What This Means

• Magnetic North (compass) is 14° east of True North (geographic).
• To convert compass bearing to true bearing: Add 14° (e.g., compass reads 0° → true bearing 014°).
• To convert true bearing to compass: Subtract 14°.

Variation Across the Bay

• San Francisco (coast): ~14° 15′ E
• Oakland/Berkeley: ~14° 10′ E
• San Jose (south): ~13° 55′ E
• Santa Rosa (north): ~14° 25′ E

Sources for Current Value

• NOAA Magnetic Declination Calculator (official, date-specific)
• magnetic-declination.com (interactive map)
• Aviation charts (VFR Sectional) — updated every 56 days.

Why It Matters

Navigation (hiking, boating, aviation, surveying), GIS alignment, satellite dish pointing, solar panel orientation. Always use current declination — outdated maps can mislead by degrees.