San Luis Obispo’s Iconic Madonna Inn for Day Visitors

 

Just south of San Luis Obispo, travelers along U.S. Route 101 can’t miss the colorful and majestic Madonna Inn located just off the west side of the highway. The iconic property is more than a motel, but a magical destination for day visitors as well.

Opened for business in 1958, the Madonna Inn is a Central Coast landmark, known for its unique décor, pink dining room, and whimsically themed guest rooms. The property is home to restaurants, a bakery, a wine cellar, gift shops, a spa, and much more.

Adorned with a pseudo-Swiss-Alps exterior and lavish common room accented by pink roses, Western murals, and hammered copper, the Madonna Inn attracts tourists from around the world eager to take a peek at the exquisite property. Some tourists stop just to get a look at the famous rock waterfall urinal located in the men’s restroom, a feature designed by Hollywood set designer Harvey Allen Warren.

The History

Successful construction magnate and entrepreneur, Alex Madonna, and his wife, Phyllis, opened their doors to guests on December 24, 1958. The first 12 completed rooms were given complementary to the first guests for a night’s stay to the delight of surprised travelers. Soon after an additional 28 rooms were added to the property.

Construction on the main inn began in 1960 to keep up with demand. Today 110 rooms exist, each decorated in its own unique theme. Pink is the color of the day, even extending to the lamp posts and trash cans. The Inn sits on more than 1,000 acres and rocks from the area, some weighing more than 200 tons each, were used in its construction, which included rooms, showers, and fireplaces.

The leaded glasswork throughout the Madonna Inn and the large etched glass windows in the coffee shop were custom-made for the property. The leaded glass inserts in the windowed area facing the large fireplace are of particular interest since each insert illustrates one of the various Madonna enterprises: construction, lumber, and cattle.

Woodcarvers were brought in to hand carve the doors, beams, and railings, along with the other carved adornments that can be seen around the Inn. The hand-carved marble balustrade in the Gold Rush dining room came from Hearst Castle, and all the copper and brass items were etched and shaped from original designs and fabricated on the premises. The 16'4" tall, 29'6" wide gold tree fixture in the main dining room was made from electrical conduit left over from building projects as well as from leftover remnants of copper. European fixtures and fine furnishings can be found throughout.

Tantalizing Restaurants

The Madonna Inn is home to a variety of restaurants, each serving delicious cuisine in a fun and inviting environment. Enjoy a classic American breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert at the Madonna Inn Copper Café, or visit Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House for a traditional steak house experience, serving oak-pit barbecued steak, seafood, chicken, vegetarian entrees, an impressive wine list, and decadent desserts in an enchanting and opulent setting. If you’re looking to enjoy a drink and some light bites, stop by the Silver Bar Cocktail Lounge. Don’t leave before stopping at the Madonna Inn’s world-famous bakery, which offers irresistible fresh-baked cakes, cookies, French and Danish pastries, dinner rolls, specialty breads, and cream and fruit pies.

Luxurious Day Spa

The hotel’s spa services are open to day visitors. Relax with a massage, facial, and body treatment in a calming and celestial setting that’s nothing short of paradise.

Shopping and Goodies

Guests to the Madonna Inn will enjoy a fun shopping experience. Shop for gourmet snacks, designer fashions and jewelry, and signature Madonna Inn souvenirs, gifts, and toys at the Madonna Inn Gourmet Shop, Madonna Inn Boutique, and Madonna Inn Gift Shop.

Live Music and Dancing

Nightly music and dancing are on the agenda and open to the public. Head out to the dance floor and enjoy everything from live big-band music and swing and salsa.

Horseback Trail Rides

If you’re looking for an adventure, embark on a one-hour trail ride. Offered daily, riders can enjoy a scenic tour of the area’s picturesque coastal valleys on this mountainside trail ride.

Hiking

The Madonna Inn is surrounded by 1,000 acres of beautiful valleys and hilltops. Visitors are invited to explore the area’s invigorating hiking trails.

Tennis, Basketball, and Pickleball

Hit the courts for a game of tennis, basketball, or pickleball. The signature hot pink athletic courts are regulation-size and available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

No trip to the Central Coast is complete without a stop at the nostalgic Madonna Inn. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the sites and activities. Just a 15-minute drive from Cobbo’s Beach House, plan on carving out a few hours to experience the magic.