Northern California institutions such as Stanford University and Fresno State aren't typically promoted for vacationers in the same way as Yosemite National Park and Napa Valley, but if your kids are older — or particularly brainy — then university campuses can be really smart spots to visit during a family vacation. Not only do these institutions have lectures, displays, concerts, athletics, and other events on their schedules, but they also can pique the interest of high school students and help them to see learning as a path to cool colleges.