I like SEA-AMS on KLM/Northwest to get from the west coast to Europe (and beyond) in the shortest total flying time. You could take the train or fly to Seattle from San Francisco, then fly the polar route to Amsterdam, around 10 hours. This avoids the long travel times involved with connections.
Trains from the airport get to the Amsterdam central station in 20 minutes, and you can continue on to the destinations of your choice with ease by train.
As for "day flight" - in the summer, the SEA-AMS flight that leaves around 7 pm and heads northeast is indeed almost all day light. By the time it is dark on the left side of the plane, day is dawning on the right side. A little disorienting.