I'm going to Beaglefest at the end of this month :> 75th anniversary celebrations of the strip

>British tourist
>never been the US before
>will be visiting California in July-August time

I'm going to Santa Rosa for the Peanuts Collector Club Beaglefest event (a social gathering for fans of the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown, Snoopy).

I'll be touching down at San Francisco airport on a Sunday afternoon, and I want to check in to a hotel for one night. I'm looking for a place/area to stay that's nearby shopping for toiletries and maybe some quick sight seeing before being picked up by a friend on the Monday afternoon for the drive to Santa Rosa. I'm travelling solo up to this point.

I found San Francisco Centre on a map, nearby to some hotels, so I'm led to believe this is a good built-up location. 10 minute walk to a walgreens pharmacy. Though online I'm reading this shopping centre is run-down. But don't know, is this good enough is or is there anywhere vastly better to stay? Any suggestions to add to this plan? e.g. places to visit here, opportunities to socialise a short while...