San Francisco

Okay, first thing I learned here is never, I mean never, refer to it as 'Frisco.' City by the Bay, no problem. The Paris of the West, sure. Even Baghdad by the Bay passes muster. But not Frisco, as I discovered on a number of occasions when uttering the F-word to the locals during a recent weekend getaway to San Fran. Who knew?

Cities across the country get festive for Cinco de Mayo and go crazy for half-price Mexican beers, but what exactly are we celebrating? Cinco de Mayo – or the Fifth of May - is a holiday originating in Puebla, Mexico to commemorate the last foreign battle on North American soil. The Mexican army defeated the much larger and better-equipped French army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Across the United States, and really the whole world, there are aquariums with all sorts of amazing exhibits that capture the imagination and educate us on the beauties and wonders of aquatic life. Whether you're fascinated by coral, sharks, or colorful tropical fish you can be sure to see and learn amazing things at the world's aquariums.

The graphic below shares some facts and figures about some of the accredited aquariums in the world, as well as highlights of some of the most famous aquariums in the US and abroad. In the comments, share with us one of your favorite aquarium adventures!

Spring 2012 marks the 15th anniversary of CityPASS! The idea officially launched back in 1997 after Mike Morey and Mike Gallagher came up with the great idea to bundle a city's attractions and help travelers save money. Now, 15 years later the idea has expanded into 11 North American travel destinations and created over 8,000,000 happy travelers.

Summers spent in San Francisco visiting my grandparents were always a highlight of my childhood: the mouthwatering tang of sourdough bread, the crack of the bat watching Willie Mays hit a homer in nippy Candlestick Park, and the unforgettable excursions out to Alcatraz to see where Al Capone was held.

You might not consider a day trip to the beach during the fall and winter months, but sometimes the unexpected ideas turn out to be the best ones. Here, the Red Tricycle explains how a visit to San Francisco's Ocean Beach can be a great family adventure any time of year.

Whether you’re a loyal iPhone user or you love your Android device, smartphone apps have changed the way we travel. You no longer need to carry around a map, guidebook, bus schedule, and directions to the restaurant you want to try for lunch. You can find all of that, and more, on your phone.

In addition to its many delectable offerings, the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market in San Francisco can be a great place to teach kids about the value of eating locally produced goodies.

Got a kid in college? No doubt you’ve already received your invitation to the gala event of the season: Parents’ Visiting Weekend. When your student goes to school in a major urban area, this trip is extra-thrilling. Not only do you get to reunite with your child (while reminiscing endlessly and annoyingly about your own days on campus), you get to do it in a big city! How fun is that?

One of the best CityPASS values for visitors to San Francisco is the Muni & Cable Car 7 Day Passport. Not only does it include unlimited transportation on Muni for seven consecutive days, but it also includes unlimited cable car rides (it’s normally five bucks for a one-way trip). And a cable car is the perfect way to ride in style to the 16th Annual Chocolate Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, at Ghirardelli Square.