Our last summer trip was a drive along California’s highway 1. This isn’t your typical road trip and should be on everyone’s bucket list. There are so many places to visit and mind blowing scenery to take in but so worth the extra hours it adds to your itinerary if you’re heading north.
The weather was perfect when we started out on our three-day weekend adventure. These elephant seals can be seen regularly sunbathing on the beach by Hearst Castle, near San Simeon. The seals started arriving in 1990 and at first only a few dozen could be seen lazing around. Each year their count has exploded and now totals about 17,000.
Whales and dolphins can also be seen if you keep a sharp eye on the ocean, but the road is so twisty and tight that the kids should be the only ones watching for them.
Always be ready to pull to the side of the road for the most amazing views. I lost count of how many times I wish I had stopped but missed out because it’s almost impossible to turn around. As you near Big Sur, you’ll travel over some fantastic bridges and hidden places to eat. We stopped at the Restaurant at Big Sur River Inn, service was decent with the food being on the expensive side and nothing to get too excited about. But what it lacked in flavor, it made up at the back of the restaurant. A crystal clear shallow river runs past, and you can grab a seat in the water or on one of the giant rocks and drink an ice cold beer while the water tickles your feet.
I was lucky enough to be given this 2016 Kia Sorento to do this amazing drive. The kids were all over it and no wonder, it was fully loaded with every imaginable electronic feature and so comfortable and easy to drive.
Kids favorite- Reclining rear seats and seat coolers.
My favorite- Keyless and automatic trunk opening.
The four of us easily fitted in it along with enough luggage and beach toys for three days. I remember the previous generation of Kia cars and this one is completely opposite! It made easy work of the almost 1000 miles we drove and wasn’t too thirsty on the gas. Kia seems to have come leaps and bounds with technology and comfort.
Big basin Redwoods State Park is north of Santa Cruz and perfect for an easy hike with the kids. We walked through some huge redwoods and the kids had a lot of fun matching the trees to the descriptions on the map. Longer hikes are available and camping is also allowed in the park. As we were leaving the top of a tree came crashing down blocking the road and sending us on a 20-mile detour. Gas stations are sparse around the park so make sure your tank is on the full side.
A trip to Santa Cruz wouldn’t be complete if you missed tasting ice cream from The Penny Ice Creamery. It’s all homemade in small batches, this one was chocolate raspberry with toasted marshmallow fluff on top! The food continued to be awesome even on the way home and a stop at Next Door Bistro in Paso Robles for some charcuterie and cheese was another place I’d recommend to stop at.
You’re probably wondering what Santa Cruz has to do with tater tots. The connection is easy if you’ve eaten at Burger. With a menu list of burgers a mile long and some with donuts for the bun, this is a must try place. My fries came with blue cheese and bacon so I thought I’d recreate them at home. They’re so easy to make and just in time for football season!
I can’t wait to head north again…
Blue Cheese Bacon Tots and a Trip to Santa Cruz
Ingredients
- 1 2 pound bag of frozen tater tots
- 5 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3-4 ounces creamy blue cheese *see notes*
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper
- 2 whole green onions chopped up finely
Instructions
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Bake the tater tots in the oven as per the instructions on the bag.
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While the tots are cooking melt the butter in a medium sized non-stick pan.
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Add the flour and whisk until it starts to bubble.
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Cook over a medium heat whisking constantly for about 2 minutes.
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Gradually add 1 cup of the milk to the pan slowly, whisking all the time to avoid lumps.
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Heat over a low heat and add half of the blue cheese.
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Let the heat of the sauce melt the cheese whisking often.
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Add another 1/4 cup of the milk gradually followed by the remaining blue cheese.
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Whisk until all the milk has been combined and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
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Season with salt and black pepper.
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Add 1/2 cup of chopped bacon to the sauce and mix through.
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If the sauce starts to thicken too quickly add the remaining milk and any extra that you may need to keep it consistent and not too thick.
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Once the tater tots are done place them on a platter or deep bowl.
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Pour the sauce over the tots.
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Garnish with the remaining chopped bacon and green onions on top.
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Serve at once while still hot.
Recipe Notes
Make sure to use a creamy blue cheese like Castello or Gorgonzola. A chunk will work better than crumbles.
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That looks like a GORGEOUS road trip! I want to pull up a lawn chair and hang out in the water :) And those tater tots look amazing! Total comfort food.
I’ve never been to Santa Cruz, but my husband and I absolutely LOVE Big Sur! We went there on our honeymoon and back to celebrate our first anniversary. What a great trip for you and your family!
Big Sur is amazing Patty!
I love Santa Cruz, I haven’t been since I was young, but my husband and I made the drive up the coast this summer and the area around it is just so beautiful.
You need to start planning Nicole :)
I remember going to the boardwalk at Santa Cruz and having a blast as a kid. But that tot casserole looks AMAZING!
Awesome Derek and I love your site!
Wow – what a trip! Your photos so perfectly captured the views! I think my husband was lucky enough to drive Highway 1 on a family trip when he was a kid, and clearly we need to add it to our family’s to-do list! And as if that wasn’t enough … you left me drooling over those amazing tater tots! I’m a sucker for ANYTHING that involves blue cheese (hello, guilty pleasure!), and these look insanely delicious! What a great post! :D
Do it Shelley :)
I’m a native Northern Californian and it’s just a quick drive for us to get over to Santa Cruz but I’ve never been to Big Sur! It’s on the list. These tater tots look insanely good! Great football food.
I’m jealous Val!!
What a fantastic trip – what a fun restaurant! I’m making those tator tots too – they look so good!
Go for it Deb:)
Big Sur is such a beautiful drive, looks like you guys had a great time in the area! And those tots are the ultimate comfort food! :)
Thanks Kimberly :)
Oh boy, I could eat the entire batch, they look terrific!! Great pictures. Never been there but maybe some day :-)
Thanks Miryam!
Umm that restaurant with the chairs in the water?!?! I NEED to go there. And these tater tots are all kinds of gorgeous!
I need it running through my backyard Des!!
What a beautiful trip and a beautiful looking dish! Thanks for sharing! :)