Story: The Madonna Inn

Having grown up in Central California, I've driven past the Madonna Inn more times than I can count. But, it wasn't until recently that I decided to stop in and see what I'd been missing.

Situated just off Highway 101 between San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, the Madonna Inn was built by the late Alex Madonna and his wife Phyllis in 1958. The exterior of the hotel is a pink Swiss kitsch and the interior boasts 109 rooms (priced between $130 and $300), all with a unique theme and name. Favorites include Love Nest, Irish Hills, the Caveman Room, and Just Heaven.

You don't have to stay the night for this spot to be worth a stop. The interior is a decoration explosion. Staircases embellished with golden fern leaves and rose-print carpet look down on pink leather dinner booths. The awning of the upstairs bar is adorned with carved grapes while the downstairs wine cellar resembles a cave. Umberto Eco gives a superior description of the interior: "Let's say that Albert Speer, while leafing through a book on Gaudi, swallowed an overgenerous dose of LSD and began to build a nuptial catacomb for Liza Minnelli."

Before you go, make sure to visit the restroom. The urinal in the men's room is essentially a waterfall - a sensor triggers when you step up to it. Many tourists come to visit the urinal, so if you intend to use it, be prepared for curious women with cameras!