Looking to Purchase a Toy Aussie

Question
I live in CA and am having a hard time to find breeders in CA...any ideas on how you found your puppies?

Answer
Please understand, I am not trying to hurt your feelings or be impolite - I just don't know how else to say this... I want to be as truthful as I can, and save you some problems.
First of all, there is no such thing as "toy Aussies" according to the breed standard.  The American Kennel Club Australian Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd Club of America breed standards both say this: "Size--The preferred height for males is 20-23 inches, females 18-21 inches. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size."  (A female of 19 inches will probably weigh about 35-38 pounds at maturity - not a toy dog.)  I know you probably won't like this, but reputable Aussie breeders are not generally in favor of miniaturizing the breed.  All you get is a diminutive dog that may NOT turn out to be a very good pet for the average pet owner, since it may get the "strong herding and guarding instinct" that Aussies are famous for, and which sometimes, despite their brilliance, makes them hard to manage in a home that doesn't provide them a "job".  The only people who are breeding "toy Aussies" are just looking to take your hard earned money, and way too much of it, for a dog that cannot be shown, isn't capable of doing the job for which Aussies are traditionally bred, and may cost you oodles more in vet bills than you ever expected. They will take your Visa card, and give you a 72 hour guarantee - which is much different than responsible breeders do - they will take the dog back at any time during its lifetime if you become unable to care for it!!!  Reputable Aussie breeders do not generally sell good, healthy breeding stock to people who breed "designer dogs" or who miniaturize the dog.  And, in this small a gene pool, if you are buying from someone who has done this, some of the genetic defects that affect the breed are bound to be more plentiful in those lines.  "Quality is not to be sacrificed for size" really sums it up IMO.
You can also apply certain standards to determine if you have found a quality breeder (of any breed).  Here are some ways to recognize an unscrupulous breeder: http://www.phouka.com/puppy/bdr_irres.html
Here's a great comparison of good breeders versus bad breeders:
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Fair/1901/chart.html
I do hate to burst your bubble, but the Australian Shepherd is not a dog that suits the average pet owner who is just looking for something cute, or wants the beautiful coat colors, but in a smaller dog.  Many of these dogs have the Aussie temperament, despite their smaller size, and you need to be prepared for what you might get.  Please read:
http://www.pinciecreek.com/aboutour.htm
These dogs are not for everyone, too many of them already end up in rescue and in high kill shelters, and if you are considering buying a "toy", you certainly seem uninitiated regarding the breed in general, which makes me worry that you don't really understand their temperament, and that they are not just a lap dog.  My suggestion, if you are looking for a diminutive pet, and want a smart, highly trainable dog, but without some of the problems you might have by buying from a disreputable breeder, maybe you should consider a different breed, such as a Papillon.  At least then you could buy from a top notch knowledgeable breeder.  Always get your breeder referrals from the national club for the breed, make sure your breeder shows or works his breeding stock, that he does all relevant genetic testing, sells pet pups on a spay/neuter contract, and offers a lifetime guarantee.  Good luck.