We sat in row 3 for a Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals game. The stadium was sold out that day, of course it is for most Giants games anyway. The fans in our section were great, very into the game and even the upper level patrons are well behaved and didn't seem to be "over served".
Row 3 is ideal if you don't want to be climbing up too many steps but the four rows down in front are the best. Those are the "view box seats". So technically, even row 1 isn't the first row.
Our row had plenty of room for our legs. The upper deck is steep but that's what allows for you to see over the row in front of you. Every seat has a cup holder which is something you don't get in the bleachers.

I think by far the best feature of these seats is the view of the Bay. You CAN"T see the Bay from every section but you can see Mccover Cove, Alcatraz and even the Golden Gate in the distance from the upper level.