MEXICO CITY _ Like a lot of Californians, I've made dozens of trips to Mexico over the decades _ beach resorts in Baja, Maya ruins in the Yucatan, colonial towns in the interior. Yet I'd never made time to explore the capital's top museums and landmarks, even though their global popularity has boomed in recent years. When I finally gave myself a good look at Mexico City this year, most of those attractions surprised me.
I knew the city's seismic history but didn't expect it to show up as dramatically in the Metropolitan Cathedral.
I expected vibrant street life but didn't anticipate jazz musicians jamming on the sidewalk.
I knew there would be bright colors at Xochimilco but didn't expect to see so many people having so much fun.
Here, based on my visit in February, is a Mexico City cheat sheet for rookies. Most of these spots are clustered in and around the city's historic core.
