Accel Gymnastics, San Mateo

Springy surfaces of red, blue, green, and purple blanket the floors at Accel Gymnastics' two facilities. These soft mats cushion gymnasts of all ages as they somersault, tumble, and eventually back flip throughout a progressing curricula of gymnastics classes, starting at preschool lessons and heading toward the competitive level. Seasonal camps, too, immerse young ones in the sport. But coaches and staffers also make time for pure fun at birthday parties, where kids perform tricks that make their peers say "Ooooh" and "Ahhh" until all the birthday candles are blown out.