Air carrier flight crew reported ATC descended them below the minimum vectoring altitude.

Attributes
ACN	1709079
Time
Date	201912
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	NCT.TRACON
State Reference	CA
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Medium Large Transport
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 309 Flight Crew Type 10000
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT

Narrative:

On about a 120 degree downwind vector for an ILS approach; the controller issued a descent to 3;000 feet. The pilot monitoring read back the clearance and we dialed it in the MCP window; verified; and continued the descent. Being very familiar with surrounding terrain; I thought this seemed a bit low; but chose not to query the controller. Passing through 3;100 feet; he gave us a 'low altitude alert; check altitude immediately; maintain 3;500 feet.' I disconnected the autopilot and climbed quickly to 3;500 feet. We completed the rest of the approach with no other issues. It was a poor ATC clearance; and I knew it. I should have asked him to confirm the descent to 3;000 feet.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported ATC descended them below the Minimum Vectoring Altitude.

Narrative: On about a 120 degree downwind vector for an ILS Approach; the Controller issued a descent to 3;000 feet. The Pilot Monitoring read back the clearance and we dialed it in the MCP window; verified; and continued the descent. Being very familiar with surrounding terrain; I thought this seemed a bit low; but chose not to query the Controller. Passing through 3;100 feet; he gave us a 'low altitude alert; check altitude immediately; maintain 3;500 feet.' I disconnected the autopilot and climbed quickly to 3;500 feet. We completed the rest of the approach with no other issues. It was a poor ATC clearance; and I knew it. I should have asked him to confirm the descent to 3;000 feet.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.