How to Navigate Without a Compass San Francisco CA

If you have a map, find landmarks around you (mountains, lakes, roads, rivers, etc.) and orient the map in the direction you are facing. North is usually up at the top of a map.

Local Companies

Golden Gate Regional Center
(415) 546-9222
875 Stevenson St., 6th Flr.
San Francisco, CA
Great Pacific Tour Company
(415) 626-4499
518 Octavia St.
San Francisco, CA
TravelSF
(415) 420-7670
416 1/2 Broderick St.
San Francisco, CA
Bonjour Transportation
(415) 922-0220
PO Box 15669
San Francisco, CA
Extranomical Adventures
(415) 357-0700
690 Fifth St., Ste. 205
San Francisco, CA
Alegro Private Tours
(415) 668-1864
3145 Geary Blvd., Ste. 22
San Francisco, CA
Just Dreaming Yacht
(888) 736-2628
1781 Union St.
San Francisco, CA
Bay City Bike Rentals & Tours
(415) 346-2453
2661 Taylor St.
San Francisco, CA
Blue & Gold Fleet, L.P.
(415) 705-8200
Pier 39 Box Office
San Francisco, CA
Hornblower Cruises & Events
(415) 788-8866
Pier 3, Ferryboat Santa Rosa
San Francisco, CA

Provided By:

Steps

  1. Use the sun. If it's in the afternoon the sun will be setting so it will be, more or less, in the west. If it is still morning then it will be rising roughly in the east.
  2. At night, in the northern hemisphere, look for Polaris (the north star). It is located in the handle of the Little Dipper. Looking at Polaris, you will be facing North.
  3. At night, you can find the North Star using the Big Dipper as well. Draw an imaginary line from the two stars that make up the right side of the dipper. Draw it out several hand-lengths from the dipper. The direction from the end of these hand-lengths is roughly true north.
  4. If you have a map, find landmarks around you (mountains, lakes, roads, rivers, etc.) and orient the map in the direction you are facing. North is usually up at the top of a map.

Warnings

  • If you are looking at the stars, take care not to trip, it's amazingly easy to do!
  • Never look directly into the sun, it could do long term damage to your eye sight!

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Featured Local Company

Golden Gate Regional Center

(415) 546-9222
875 Stevenson St., 6th Flr.
San Francisco, CA

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