Sit on the right when departing SFO, and you'll usually get a nice view of the city and the Golden Gate. On return to SFO, off the left side, you can sometimes get a nice view up the coast and possibly the Golden Gate if the visibility is good. Of course, all this depends on how you're being routed that day. Once was sitting on the right side coming back from PVG and woke up to the GG Bridge and downtown SF bathed in sunrise as wisps of fog were floating through the gate. A beautiful welcome home. I've never had that approach since.

For the other 99% of the flight (except an occasional cameo from Fuji San), there's nothing to see on either side.