Is it true that ANC based freighter types would primarily do runs into a major Asian city (HK, Tokyo, Seoul), layover, and head back to ANC?
Out of ANC, your western pattern will be to HKG and back. Nowhere else unless it is something out of the ordinary. They will probably also roster you for domestic patterns out to DFW/ATL or JFK or LAX or ORD.
Also, how long would be realistic before a DEFO could get back to the lower 48 at the SFO Pax base?
Three years minimum under the current Conditions of Service (CoS) and four years if the proposed CoS 2007 goes through. All contingent on positions being available at the base, of course.
Captain upgrade at SFO?
Probably too long to estimate under the current conditions (i.e. many, many years).