Madonna Inn: Secret Gardens & Fruit-Filled Pie in SLO
You know that feeling when you stumble upon a place so eccentric, so unapologetically itself, that you can’t help but grin? That’s the Madonna Inn. Located right off Madonna Road in downtown San Luis Obispo, this landmark is more than a pit stop on Highway 101. It’s a fever dream of pink decor, rock walls, secret gardens, and pure nostalgia wrapped in velvet drapes and served with a glass of California wine and a slice of fruit-filled pie.
Welcome to the Wild, Wacky, and Wonderfully Delicious World of the Madonna Inn.
But don’t get it twisted—the Madonna Inn isn’t just kitsch and cake. It’s a testament to what happens when you build something with love, intention, and a whole lot of rock. Literally.
If there’s anyone who knows the ins and outs of the Madonna Inn better than the pink-clad walls themselves, it’s Amanda Rich.
As the Marketing Director, Amanda has spent over 25 years helping shape the magic that defines this one-of-a-kind destination in San Luis Obispo County.
Her deep roots in the Central Coast—and her close working relationship with Phyllis Madonna herself—give her a rare perspective on what makes the Inn so beloved. “One of the reasons that Madonna Inn is so special is because it’s so unique… you won’t find it anywhere else,” Amanda shares.
From preserving traditions to embracing the future, Amanda is part of the heartbeat that keeps the Madonna Inn pulsing with life.
#1 Phyllis Madonna: Visionary Behind the Famous Bakery
Before the Madonna Inn became a kaleidoscope of themed rooms and rock-lined walls, it was the scent of fresh-baked pie that hinted at something special in the works. That magic? All Phyllis Madonna. “Before it all got rolling, Mrs. Madonna got into the bakery and was putting out cheese pies every day,” Amanda Rich shares. That now-iconic cheese pie—a custardy, cheesecake-like classic—still graces the dessert case, a quiet homage to the woman who started it all.
What began with simple, heartfelt baking has become the famous bakery we know today, beloved for its towering pink champagne cakes, seasonal fruit-filled pies, and whimsical creations crowned with signature white chocolate curls. “We offer a variety of desserts,” Amanda explains, “including seasonal items such as pumpkin pie, strawberry pie, and strawberry cake—made with strawberries from local vendors.” When the bakery announces the return of its strawberry specials on social media? Let’s just say the locals know to get in line early.
Want to Feast on a Treat Inspired by the Madonna Inn at Home?
How to Make the Best Strawberry Pie with Fresh Strawberries
Ever taken one bite of something so good, so jam-packed with flavor and nostalgia, that your brain immediately screams: “I want to eat this every single day!” That’s exactly what happened the first time I dug into a slice of this fresh strawberry pie. Inspired by a recent trip to the Madonna Inn, this recipe is the perfect way to celebrate California strawberry season.
Click here to make this strawberry pie for yourself.
#2 The Secret Garden: Nature’s Backdrop for Bachelorettes and Butterflies
From Empty Hill to Floral Wonderland
Blink and you’ll miss it—but tucked behind the bakery in the candy-colored castle is a surprisingly tranquil space known simply as the Secret Garden.
“It was established in 2008 and completed in 2009,” Amanda shares. “We were looking for an outdoor wedding venue… this used to just be a hill.”
The in-house team designed and planted the entire area, complete with fig, lemon, olive, and plum trees, along with bee- and butterfly-friendly native plants. This place hums with pollinators and life.
“My personal favorite is the Monarch Butterflies,” Amanda smiles.” Because they are here locally, on the Central Coast, we get to see them all day long here at Madonna Inn.”
Seasonal blooms rotate throughout the year, so guests—whether they’re planning a wedding or just stumbling out of the luxurious spa for a walk—can always find something in full, showy bloom.
#3 A Taste of California in Every Bite and Sip
Steak, Garlic Bread, and All The Fruit-Filled Pie You Could Ever Want
Head to Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House and you’re not just in for a show-stopping meal under pink-lit chandeliers—you’re getting a real bite of some of the best of California.
“We have a very famous garlic sourdough bread,” Amanda says. “The sourdough comes from San Luis Sourdough, and the garlic is from right here in California.“ It’s a staple appetizer and a must-order for hotel guests and locals alike.
And yes, there’s steak. Prime cuts of beef sourced from Harris Ranch, a California institution, grace the tables nightly. Add a robust wine list—“almost all from California wineries”—and you’ve got a full farm-to-fork experience in the most glamorous dining room this side of the 101.
Save Room For Dessert: Fruit-Filled Pie and Legendary Pink Champagne Cake
Back to the bakery—because no trip to the Madonna Inn is complete without dessert. The pies are legendary. “We have strawberry, cherry, peach, apricot, apple,” Amanda lists. “And all that produce is grown here in California.”
#4 The History That Built a Destination
The Original Dream Team: Alex & Phyllis Madonna
“Madonna Inn was built in 1958 by Alex and Phyllis Madonna,” says Amanda Rich, Artistic Director and longtime team member. “Mr. Madonna was in the construction business… he was tired of staying at places that were all cookie-cutter.”
The idea? Build a hotel that didn’t feel like every other beige-walled chain. So Alex sourced materials from job sites across the Golden State. The luminous white rock you see in the Gold Rush Steak House came from Adelaida, California. The darker stone? That was quarried from the mountain they built the Inn on. Some of those boulders weigh over 200 tons and were left exactly where they landed—a design choice that would shape the architecture of rooms like the now-famous Caveman Room.
“Some of the rooms are actually built around rock,” Amanda explains. “It’s rock ceiling, rock wall, rock shower… and it’s not a facade. It’s the real deal.”
The Madonna Inn Today: Keeping It Green, Keeping It Local
Sustainability at a Historic Property
Despite its vintage vibe, the Madonna Inn is all about evolving with the times. Housekeeping is by request to conserve water, and those tiny plastic toiletry bottles? Gone. Refillable dispensers have taken their place. And perhaps most impressive of all: “We have installed solar… hopefully by the end of summer we’ll be completely on solar,” Amanda reveals.
That same ethos drives their sourcing too—from California wine and Harris Ranch beef to the local fruit for those stunning pies.
Why It Feels Like Family
Amanda’s been working at the Inn for over 25 years. “My parents came to Cal Poly and never left,” she shares. “I got to be Mrs. Madonna’s assistant for many years before she retired. She’s still living and comes to visit almost daily. They’re just a good family. You feel like you’re part of it even if you’re not.”
It’s that rare combination—warmth, whimsy, history, and good food—that keeps people coming back generation after generation. “People who came here as kids are now bringing their own families… and we want to create that same experience for them.”
Planning Your Visit to Madonna Inn?
If you’re craving:
- A stay in one of California’s most unique hotels.
- Strawberry pie made with fresh California strawberries.
- A legendary steakhouse with locally source beef and live music.
- Secret gardens full of migrating Monarch butterflies.
- California wine, waves, and horseback trail rides all within 15 minutes
…then the Madonna Inn isn’t just a stop, it’s the destination.
As Amanda says best: “It’s just a fun, happy experience. You walk into the steakhouse and you have that ‘awe’ moment.”
Planning a trip to SLO? Be sure to check out Hope on Park, Finca, and Pasolivo too while you are in the area.
Ready To Hit The Road On An Excellent Golden State Adventure? Check Out This CA GROWN Spotify Playlist:
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This article was written by Meg van der Kruik. Photo credit James Collier for California Grown.