Sit on the left if you're flying from a small plane (which it sounds like since you're going to LAX). They tend to take off from 1R and 1L. The big, wide-bodies tend to take off from 28R and 28L.
The path is exactly as FlyinHawaiin has stated. You will see the city on the left, then loop around, then fly down the west coast of California. You will see Pebble Beach, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Halfmoon bay, etc.
To get an idea of what it's like, here is my video of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihjXC5xmhks
You can see it at 2:14 what view you will get. Keep in mind that in your case, you will loop to the left. This flight is going to Chicago, so it won't loop, but yours will.