Originally Posted by PTravel

I've probably flown this route a hundred times or more. Most times, LAX-bound planes turn left quite after take off. This is well before getting over the city. If you want to see any of the famous landmarks you would, therefore, have to sit on the right side of the plane. There have been a few very rare occasions when the left turn was delayed and we actually flew up to the tip of the peninsula before turning and got a spectacular view of SF from the left side. It all depends on what ATC is doing, but I really wouldn't count on seeing any of SF on takeoff.