So after months of my company I am a contractor for mentioning they want me to go out there to work on-site for a week or two, just now they finally booked solid travel plans for me. At one point I was pretty excited to go out there, but that was back in the summer yet. They were located in the much quieter San Mateo at the time, but have thus relocated to the SOMA area (whatever SOMA even means...), which in my regards in an extremely busy and intimidating looking place.

I originally was hoping to go from Monday to Friday, because they want me there a minimum of 5 business days, but due to some company schedule complications, I find myself having to stay the weekend, working 3 days on week and 2 the next before coming back. Meh...

That being said, I'll be in the city for 7 days, with two of them being completely empty. Thinking I'll die of boredom in my two weekend days, I was hoping to get some insight on what to expect of the city, and what would be good to do with my time. I have never been in the SF area before, so I'm certainly a bit timid about it, and I won't have a rental car either (since my hotel is about 0.75 miles to the office and I agreed to walk).

So what could I expect, and what should I do with my free time in the SOMA area to pass my time? I have heard some people saying this area can be pretty sketchy with homeless people and crime, so that does worry me a bit, especially since it gets dark early this time of year. I will probably try to plan to do some things with co-workers while there, but I will inevitably have free time, and wondering what would be best to do. (and safest!)

Any CA CAGs or people that have visited the city before have any insight on good things to do and what to expect on my trip?