For those of you who live in the Bay Area, these are some local stores that I have found varying degrees of luck finding good baby things.  Be forwarned.  Being the baby novice, I found these stores absolutely overwhelming in terms of choices and selection.  For the more experienced baby shopper, these stores may not seem so frightening.

Kiddie World - Stevens Creek Blvd in San Jose - As the name suggests, this place is HUGE and has an incredible amount of baby "things".  The prices are pretty good, too.

Lullaby Lane - San Mateo Ave in San Bruno - A much more managable size and selection for the uninitiated :=)  Selection of high quality items isn't as good as other stores.

Baby Super & Rocker World - Parkmoore Ave in San Jose - Another huge store with an incredible selection

BabysRUs or ToysRUs - Good selection of toys and such.  Just avoid these places on the weekends when they are full of hyperactive children and exhausted parents. Hmmmm..