Last time I did it on a commercial aircraft was a United A320 going from SFO-LAS. When we depart SFO runway 1L, the porte 3 departure is basically a 230 degree climbing left turn. It takes you over the "bay tour region." Basically, instead of doing that departure, you ask for a bay tour, maintain 3,000 over the water (east of downtown SF, over the bay bridge, along the embarcadero, over Alcatraz, over the golden gate bridge, then climb to 10,000 and resume your flight. It was downright spectacular, and I am glad the pilots chose to take that departure that day.

Last time I flew it in a piston aircraft was on a beautiful day. It was so nice that all the jets were asking for it, so I had to fly on the west side of downtown SF. Checkout this video for a recent bay tour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX6pNsQzRy4

SF is spectacular. I love it.