This USGS 3DEP 1/3 arc-second digital elevation model provides a high-resolution bare-earth terrain dataset for San Francisco. The USGS 3DEP 1/3 arc-second digital elevation model represents a seamless, bare-earth terrain surface captured at a resolution of approximately ten metres per pixel. Provided in GeoTIFF format, this raster dataset encodes precise elevation values across the N38w123 tile, encompassing the San Francisco Bay area. The data is rigorously processed to remove vegetation and man-made structures, ensuring an accurate representation of the natural topography. It serves as a foundational layer for large-scale site planning, hydrological modelling, and regional analysis, offering consistent and georeferenced vertical data for complex architectural and urban design projects.

The download is a 42.5 MB file containing .TIF files.

Professionals typically import this GeoTIFF file directly into GIS software like QGIS or ArcGIS to generate contour lines, slope analysis maps, or 3D terrain meshes. For CAD or BIM integration, users often export generated contour vectors or high-resolution meshes, which provide essential context for site grading, drainage design, and massing studies during the early schematic design phase.

This elevation dataset is essential for architects, urban planners, and civil engineers working on projects within the San Francisco Bay area. It is primarily used during the site feasibility and master planning stages to understand natural grade variations and environmental constraints. By providing a reliable topographic base, it assists in the development of site-specific housing, commercial, or infrastructure proposals. Design teams often pair this data with satellite imagery or parcel maps to create comprehensive site models for regulatory submittals and public presentations.