Coming from England we have some really nice small B&B's and they are really friendy and far more impersonal that corporate Hotels where business people are staying.
Are there places like that over in California - or self catering. We have a self catering place here in the middleof England and because we have travelled quite a lot we run it just as a place that we would like to stay in. It's easy and very often our visitors end up eating with us over a BBQ in the garden sharing a glass of wine.
Any suggestions please. We are weaving our way from LA up to SF but we are very flexable in where we stay.

There are many nice, smallish B&Bs in CA. For self catering your best bet would be checking Vacation Rental by Owners (VRBO.com).
Between LA and SF we've stayed at the Old Yacht Club Inn in Santa Barbara, the Blue Whale B&B in Cambria.
Many B&Bs around Monterey and Carmel as well.

'Self-catering' properties are called vacation rentals in the US - and yes there are a LOT of them. vrbo and the other listing sites are good for at least starting research.

In most parts of CA what we call B&Bs are a bit more upscale than many in the UK (I know there are posh places in the UK but the average B&B charges only maybe £30-£40 pp)

Our B&Bs tend more to the $200 per night/per room range.

We loved the Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point. For us it was a bit pricy, but a really memorable experience.

You should visit Big Sur which is the most beautiful place in America. Ventana Inn is nice. Post Ranch Inn is outstanding. You won't believe BS. Don't miss it. Good luck.

Ventana Inn @ 48123 California 1, Big Sur, CA 831 - 667 - 2331.
http://www.ventanainn.com/
Sierra Mar at The Post Ranch Inn @ 47900 California 1, Big Sur, CA 831 - 667 - 2800.
http://www.postranchinn.com/

But w/ Ventana and Post Ranch we are talking REAL money $$$

Both are lovely -- but neither fits in a lot of folks travel budgets.

The same group that has Blue Lantern in Dana Point also has several other properties; I've stayed at most of them and they are wonderful.

They do have specials and a loyalty program "frequest sleeper" with more discounts.

http://www.foursisters.com/loyalty.htm