A bunch of nice guys work here and are prepared to match your child with a bike, whether it's a short-term rental or a long-term sale. Selection of children's bikes are limited, but of high quality. Repairs are reasonably priced, and fast.

Tomales Bay, located just one hour from San Francisco, is is a large pristine waterway in the Bay Area and an outstanding area for recreation and wildlife viewing.

Blue Waters Kayaking offers day paddles for children over six years of age accompanied with an adult.

Weeklong summer camps for ages 9-17 are also available during Jul-Aug (5-days $585; click on link for updated camp fees).

Equipment rentals are available at Marshall and Inverness sites; rates start at $30 and include kayaks, equipment, and an introductory lesson.

Tomales Bay, located just one hour from San Francisco, is is a large pristine waterway in the Bay Area and an outstanding area for recreation and wildlife viewing.

Blue Waters Kayaking offers day paddles for children over six years of age accompanied with an adult.

Weeklong summer camps for ages 9-17 are also available during Jul-Aug (5-days $585; click on link for updated camp fees).

Equipment rentals are available at Marshall and Inverness sites; rates start at $30 and include kayaks, equipment, and an introductory lesson.

Here's a great way for your child to take piano lessons without you having to buy one. Golden Gate Piano will allow you to rent a piano, or an organ or church organ, for that matter, which makes the whole process a less costly experiment.

For an incredibly low monthly fee and delivery charge, the store will drop off the piano of your choice at your home. If the lessons stick and you decide you want to make a long-term investment, you can apply the first nine months' rent toward your purchase of a piano. And if it turns out the trumpet or bongo drums are more to your child's liking, no problem. The service will show up and quietly remove the piano.

A store that sells exactly what it says it does - accessories, guitars, ukuleles, and mandolins. And oh what a lovely selection it has - big ones, little ones, expensive ones, and starters. It also carries an assortment of CDs and DVDs specializing in, yes, guitar music, along with racks of songbooks and methods.

The staff is knowledgeable and accustomed to answering questions from wanna be musicians ages four on up. You can rent a guitar at $30 a month if you decide to purchase one, the rental fees can be applied toward a purchase.

Savvy parents have discovered the advantages of going to a big rental service. Hertz Rental/Big Four is one that not only rents out partyware, but all kinds of kids sporting goods as well: hockey, softball, volleyball, camping equipment. "You name it," said the manager.

One Mom we know outfits her four children in rental ski equipment every year, and claims she saves a bundle.

Kidz Domain's Jumpers are available for immediate setup and delivery at your residence, business, or local park (party giver must make arrangements with local authorities) within a 30 mile radius of San Jose. It can deliver units outside this area with a price increase.

The company accepts all last minute requests. All units have safety hatches located on the top to ensure child
safety. The company is a licensed and insured small business.

A friendly little board shop where you can buy longboards,
skateboards, and snowboards. Known for their selection
of longboard demos. Snowboards are available for
rent, too. The staff takes the time required to offer
advice on style, fittings, and how cool it all looks.
They also have an uncanny ability to remember names,
and the effect is that you'll always feel welcome
here. Every Sunday is "Purple Sunday". Customers receive a ten percent discount on purchases if they are wearing the color purple, a Purple Skunk t-shirt or sweatshirt when you visit the shop on Sunday.

Want to start piano lessons but don't have a piano? No problem. Sherman Clay, a dealer that sells all kinds of pianos also leases them.

For as little as $29 a month for a basic student piano, clients can request that a piano be dropped off in their home and keep it for as long as the lessons last. Monthly rental fees may even apply to a purchase.

Clients can choose from a huge fleet of brand name pianos - a broad selection of spinets, consoles, performance uprights, grand pianos, and even digital pianos (with headphone capability).

There are several locations in the Bay Area; check the website for the one nearest you.

A near institution on Haight Street, this store has successfully ridden the neighborhood's ups and downs, much like clients it attracts. The store sells scooters and long and short skateboards.

For guys who covet the skateboard and snowboard look, there's attire here that'll make them happy. Think of it as a source of gift possibilities for the hard-to-satisfy pre-teen male.

The store also keeps track of skating events around town so ask what's up, if you dare.

Tennis Machine Rentals (TMR) provides access to portable tennis machines for the general public. Ball machines are easy to use and operate from speeds from 10 to 60 mph.

The service is useful for parents who want to introduce their children to the sport of tennis, or those who want to increase the caliber of their child's game without the hefty costs of private instructors or clubs. TMR provides the ball machine, ball hopper, and tennis balls.

Machines can be rented on a daily basis, or over a weekend.

The Traveling Baby Company is a full service baby and toddler equipment rental agency. The extensive product listings range from the basics - cribs, strollers, high chairs, and car seats - to items that offer comfort, fun, and convenience, including Boppy pillows, exersaucers, Diaper Genies, and baskets of toys catered to your child's age and interests. Products are ordered online and delivered to your location. The company is rapidly expanding, so check the website to find out if they've arrived at your destination.

Travel BaBees, Inc. is a full service baby equipment rental and supply company. They provide a service for traveling families nationwide by personally delivering high quality products to their destination. Items that can be rented include cribs, toddler beds, car seats, strollers, monitors, and even toys.

Travel BaBees, Inc. is a full service baby equipment rental and supply company. They provide a service for traveling families nationwide by personally delivering high quality products to their destination. Items that can be rented include cribs, toddler beds, car seats, strollers, monitors, and even toys.

Travel BaBees, Inc. services Napa and Sonoma counties