Because practically all inbound flights land on runways 28L/R, for which the approach is from the south, it is rare to see the city inbound from the east coast. The most one usually sees is, as returnoftheyeti points out, the Bay Bridge if seated on the right.

Leaving SFO to the east coast your best bet is almost always sitting on the left side of the plane as well. If leaving via 1L/R, the plane heads due east and the city will be far away and hard to see from the left, but there is no view from the right. Leaving via 10L/R is ideal because you'll fly northward toward the city a little before veering east. Good chance of a view on the left, but again there is almost certainly no view from the right.

Good luck!