Al Murdoch:
Perhaps that's because you are a) American and b) have flown there "many, many times".
Let me be more explicit: There are combinations of weather and runways in use that can make KSFO a real challenge. However, a visual to 28L during the daytime with the good weather that existed at the time should be no challenge for any professional air carrier, even though it may be their first time there.
My point about my experience there (I was based there some of my career) is to point out that a visual to 28L on a nice day is hardly a technical challenge for any qualified air carrier pilot, experienced at the airport or not.