Military Transport
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 0.4
Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Airspace Structure; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
Aircraft X on a VFR route requested to be routed to the east enroute to [their destination]. I advised Aircraft X to pass north of the Bridge Toll Plaza and remain north of Class C airspace and the pilot acknowledged. A few moments later; Aircraft X turn southeast bound and began descending; then asked if he could transition over the airspace in Class C. I approved the transition while instructing Aircraft X to climb to 2;500 feet for traffic; and then quoted the opposite direction traffic. Aircraft X acknowledged and said he was looking for the traffic. I wasn't satisfied with the climb rate of Aircraft X; so I vectored the aircraft southbound; and asked my coordinator to advise Tower; who had the handoff at this point; what I was doing. After some coordination; the coordinator told me Tower wanted me to stop Aircraft X's climb at 1;500 feet; which I promptly did. Aircraft X was leaving a MVA (Minimum Vectoring Altitude) area of 3;000 feet into 1;700 feet followed shortly by 2;800 feet. Between the last 2 transmissions; I had Aircraft X on a vector below the MVA and an assigned altitude below the MVA.My plan to vector Aircraft X and leave him climbing was a good plan. Once past the traffic; resuming own navigation I mistakenly heeded the advice of Tower to stop the climb of Aircraft X at an altitude below the MVA; while still on a vector. I take responsibility for this action; and will have more confidence in my plan in the future. Additionally; because of the speed of Aircraft X and his proximity to Class C; I should have disapproved his request due to traffic in the area.
NCT TRACON Controller reported assigning a vector and heading to a VFR aircraft below the MVA.