San Luis Obispo, California - Madonna Inn

San Luis Obispo, California - Madonna Inn

We've been to the Madonna Inn several times for lunch on our way to Hearst Castle and Big Sur. Everyone should visit the Inn at least once, in my opinion, even if only for lunch.

Built on a massive hillside, the brightly colored pink inn calls to you from the freeway! The main gates are spectacular and fun and once in a while you may spot a "real life unicorn" grazing in the grass alongside the main driveway. While I do not think the theme rooms are particularly the most appealing aspect about the Inn, the public bathrooms are definitely a unique and worthwhile experience. Don't forget to take your camera into the restrooms and have your picture taken in front of the men's urinal! It's a tradition! [Kim, 06/08/2005]

San Luis Obispo, California - Alex Madonna dies; pioneering themed motel will continue in the pink
Alex Madonna, 85, creator and owner of the Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo, California, died April 22 of a heart attack. Madonna, a successful rancher, road builder and philanthropist, opened his unique Madonna Inn in 1958.... [05/02/2004] Complete News Story

San Luis Obispo, California - Madonna Inn - Vague Recollections

Different indeed is the Madonna Inn. My wife and I stayed there during an unusually hot August in 1978. We stayed in the "Mountain View" room. The inn at the time was not air conditioned; but the room was somewhat comfortable. Much to our shock, after sunset the room was invaded by hundreds of crickets. A ghastly scene from a 'Bug Film'. They crawled up the walls, on the ceiling, and the floor. A call to the front desk brought a maintainance man with a can of Raid. No Good! Another call to the front desk demanding another room brought no satisfaction. We 'bugged-out' and went to another motel down the road. [Al, 04/06/2003]

[RA: An isolated incident, we presume! Many theme vacationers would consider those crickets an experiential bonus!]

San Luis Obispo, California - Pinko Alex Madonna Has Things His Own Way
Alex Madonna, the cantankerous 82-year-old owner of the amazing Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, CA, has made local yuppies see pink by freshening the paint on the sign that beckons motorists off U.S. 101 and into his famous motel. ... [09/10/2001] Complete News Story

San Luis Obispo, California - Madonna Inn - Theme Rooms and Blue Sugar

It's the best inn -- a place you can go back to many times and never feel like you've been there before. There are over a hundred rooms with themes like Italy, Safari, the Pony Room, Mountain Cabin, or the Caveman Room. There is a cafe made entirely of copper, and they have blue sugar. It's endless schizophrenia for your imagination! [John Pratt, 07/15/2001]

[RA: Long a favorite of the Roadside America Team (and featured in the books), the Madonna Inn continues to amaze with its excess -- not to mention the magical public restrooms!]