Antipode of San Francisco
Antipode of San Francisco
The antipode of San Francisco is located in the Southern Indian Ocean, south of Madagascar and far from any permanent land settlement.
If you were to draw a straight line from San Francisco through the center of the Earth, it would emerge in open ocean in the Southern Hemisphere, deep within one of the most remote parts of the Indian Ocean.
Coordinates
San Francisco
Latitude: 37.7749° N (37° 46′ 30″ N)
Longitude: 122.4194° W (122° 25′ 10″ W)
Antipode of San Francisco
Latitude: 37.7749° S (37° 46′ 30″ S)
Longitude: 57.5806° E (57° 34′ 50″ E)
Location: Southern Indian Ocean (south of Madagascar)
These coordinates represent the exact geographic opposite of San Francisco on Earth’s surface.
Why does San Francisco’s antipode fall in the Indian Ocean?
San Francisco lies on the western edge of North America, facing the Pacific Ocean. When its position is inverted across the globe, the antipodal point falls in the Indian Ocean, a region dominated by open water in the Southern Hemisphere.
Because Earth’s landmasses are unevenly distributed — with far more ocean south of the equator — many West Coast cities have antipodes that lie in remote oceanic regions rather than on land.
A geographic contrast
One point is a fog-shaped coastal city defined by hills, fault lines, and the Pacific shoreline.
The other lies beneath vast southern skies, surrounded by deep water, powerful currents, and long distances between landmasses.
Opposite in position, and dramatically different in environment.
Frequently asked questions
What is an antipode?
An antipode is the point on Earth’s surface directly opposite another location, connected by a straight line through the planet’s center.
Is San Francisco antipodal to any country?
No. San Francisco’s antipode lies in the Southern Indian Ocean and does not fall on land.
Do other West Coast cities have similar antipodes?
Yes. Many cities along the western United States have antipodes located in the Indian or Southern Oceans.
Explore more
Antipode Map
Enter a location to find its exact opposite point on Earth — the antipode.
Enter a place above to begin.
This place
Search for a city above to explore its geographic context.
Its antipode
This panel shows what exists on the opposite side of the Earth.
This place
- Search for a city above.
Its antipode
- Opposite-side facts appear here.
