SLO’s Madonna Inn ranked among best roadside attractions in the nation. Why?
Need a pit stop?
San Luis Obispo’s iconic bright-pink Madonna Inn is one of the nation’s best roadside attractions, according to a new study from Betway Casino.
The online betting and gaming company recently went in search of the must-see stops for road trippers across the United States.
“California stands out as a hotspot for quirky roadside attractions, with four destinations placing inside the overall top 10, more than any other state in the ranking,” Betway Casino said in a Feb. 18 release.
Here’s why:
Why is Madonna Inn in SLO a top roadside attraction?
The Madonna Inn nabbed the No. 8 spot on Betway Casino’s list of the best roadside attractions in the nation due to its kitschy aesthetic and quirky color scheme.
“Instantly recognizable for its bold pink exterior and wildly themed interiors, the hotel has earned a cult following and remains one of California’s most delightfully eccentric roadside experiences,” the company said.
Over a year-long span, the local hotel wracked up more than 100,000 online searches. To date, it’s also garnered more than 2,000 TripAdvisor reviews and more than 80,000 Instagram posts, according to Betway Casino.
It’s not the first time the San Luis Obispo hotel has earned attention as a top place to visit.
Media website Thrillist named the Madonna Inn the “most unique” hotel in California in 2022.
In 2025, the hotel was named the second-best family-run hotel in the nation, according to a survey from Gunther Volkswagen Fort Lauderdale.
What other California spots landed on the list?
The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose landed the highest spot on the list, coming in at No. 5 for its “architectural curiosities,” Betway Casino said.
For more than 50 years, the 24,000-square foot mansion has entranced thousands of visitors, ranging from historians to roadtrippers and paranormal enthusiasts, according to the release.
Glass Beach in Fort Bragg was No. 6 on Betway Casino’s list. Its dazzling shoreline strewn with sea glass is one of the California coast’s most photographed pit stops, the company said.
Salvation Mountain near Niland in Imperial County nabbed the No. 7 spot on the list. Covered with 500,000 gallons of latex paint, the manmade hill was created over the course of three decades by artist Leonard Knight.
What are the best roadside attractions in the US?
Here are the top 10 must-see roadside stops in the nation, according to Betway Casino.
- 1. Gatorland in Orlando, Florida
- 2. Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee
- 3. House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin
- 4. Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
- 5. Winchester Mystery House in San Jose
- 6. Glass Beach in Fort Bragg
- 7. Salvation Mountain in Imperial County
- 8. Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo
- 9. Blowing Rock in Blowing Rock, North Carolina
- 10. Devils Punch Bowl in Otter Rock, Oregon
How did online casino rank top roadside attractions?
To determine the nation’s top roadside attractions, Betway Casino said it analyzed more than 80 beloved roadside haunts across the United States.
The company looked at the volume of TripAdvisor reviews, worldwide search data and Instagram posts accumulated for each popular spot to create its rankings.
