OP already mentioned he saw VX flying pretty low near Bay Bridge, which means they still do it.

A week ago on 5/11, I was flying AA SFO-DFW, the pilot indeed request for "Bay Tour", that was the first time I ever experiened something like that departing SFO, although I have no idea what altitude it is as no channel 9.

We depart from 1R early in the morning around 6:45am, made a left turn, fly along the east coast of the city, I can see so clear for the twin peak towers, then the golden gate bridge, and after that we make a right turn past richmond, I was sitting at 2A, can also see vallejo. Then go back to the route to DFW.