Alex Madonna opened the inn in 1958 with 12 rooms that quickly expanded to 110 themed rooms, a bakery, restaurant, wine cellar, coffee shop, cocktail lounge, spa, gift shop and much more. All with a lot of pink. It looks like it was designed by a Barbie dreamhouse enthusiast. I'm not a big pink fan, but I have to say that I totally didn't hate it. This place is great! Definitely worth a visit. Stop by and embrace the pink on Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo, CA

The pub began in 2008. The building that it is located in was built in 1920. I couldn't find what the origins of the building were but it may have always been some kind of eating establishment as I found an application for a liquor license by the Tamo Brothers in 1933. They were an early Swiss-Italian immigrant family of the time. You can see the retro neon sign on historic Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo, CA

Mrs. Chapman's Angel Food Donut Shop opened in the 1950's. At one time there was a chain of 20 of them which began in 1941 but this one is the last to remain that still bears the original name. The name comes from the founder, Jack Chapman's, mother. Locals say, "meet me at the giant donut" is better directions than google maps as it is used by most for navigation. You can see this iconic donut for yourself on Santa Fe Avenue in Long Beach, CA

Artist Leonard Knight spent three decades turning a humble hillside into a psychedelic sermon. Using adobe clay, straw bales, old tires, junked cars, and roughly a half-million gallons of donated latex paint, Leonard created what can only be described as a biblical acid trip. Bright flowers, waterfalls, bluebirds, the Sea of Galilee, giant hearts, crosses, and Bible verses scream across the landscape in bright vivid colors. So if you’re ever driving through the blazing Imperi

This isn’t your average theater. There’s no overpriced tickets or popcorn. Instead, you get a glorious collection of wheel-less, rusted, sun-bleached classic cars parked in perfect formation, all staring reverently at a retired semi-trailer truck serving as the world’s most improvised movie screen. This outdoor art installation gives off a post-apocalyptic wasteland vibe, where the loyal patrons showed up in 1975 and never left. Stop by and walk among the vintage cars on Aven

Built from a salvaged 1974 Beech King Air airplane fuselage, scrap metals, wood and whatever else the artists could weld, bolt or duct tape together, this flying fish is a sight to behold. Created by a crew of artists lead by artist Sean Guerrero, it takes the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci's flying machine sketches crossed with the legendary local fish apocalypse. It's best viewed from Avenue D in Bombay Beach, CA

Dozens of discarded TVs painted with colorful scenes, make up this outdoor art piece created by local artist Jack Parker. This piece is one of the most iconic salvagepunk landmarks of this nearly abandoned former resort town. The TVs are easy to find on 4th Street in Bombay Beach, CA

This wooden open air structure stands as the spiritual desert cousin to the real Ski Inn down the road that proudly claims to be the "Lowest Bar in the Western Hemisphere" as it's 237 feet below sea level. It's a fun photo op. I have a great one of my granddaughter serving me a drink at the bar! Definitely no skiing on the Salton Sea, but stop by anyway for the photo off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA

This lone freestanding wooden church confessional was created by artist Keith Jones. No privacy, just a place for lost souls to spill their deepest secrets to the desert wind. Stepping inside was oddly peaceful. Sit inside for yourself off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA

This art piece perfectly captures the local transportation philosophy, "The bus is never coming". When you arrive here, you realize that you are not waiting for a ride, you are waiting for meaning. I encourage you to take a seat on the bench on the shores of the Salton Sea off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA

No phone or dial tone, just a free hanging handset with a direct connection to the heavens. No loose change or data plan required, just believe! The piece was created by artist/environmentalist Irondad. You can see it along with loads of other outdoor art off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA

This porch offers a slightly dystopian view of the Salton Sea and the surrounding desert. Complete with furniture, decor and even a mailbox, this art piece makes for a great photo op. Stop by for yours off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA

Created by artist Keith Jones, you'll find this fully non-functional charging station in the middle of a toxic wasteland landscape. Hopefully, for the electric vehicle crowd, your 400 mile range is still feeling very optimistic because the nearest real charger is pretty much in another dimension. Still a fun stop off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA

This giant skeletal ship in the sand is the creation of artist Sean Guerrero. It was built with reclaimed wood, metal and discarded hardware and sits on the shoreline of the Salton Sea. It's one of many unique art pieces in the Bombay Beach Art Community. This one isn't very far off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA

This historic neon sign has been standing at the Rancho Super Car Wash since 1966. Adding to 5 car washes in Washington state, this sign was originally created for an additional car wash in Portland but was packed into a moving truck with the families other belongings, rebuilt and installed at this location where it has become a treasured landmark. Locals have so much pride in the sign that in 2023 it was awarded a full historic designation to ensure it will remain as a perma

The finish line for America's most famous road trip. The sign that says Welcome to the end of Route 66, folks. The trail stops here but the spirit of the Mother Road goes on forever! On the pier in Santa Monica, CA

This iconic glowing arch of neon nostalgia was built in 1941. The sign is a true celebrity having appeared in many movies and TV shows. The yacht harbor actually sank in the 1970's, but the sign has remained unchanged. Exactly as it should. The message is a little outdated, but the sign is proof that some things are worth preserving exactly as they are. You won't have trouble finding it on Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, CA

Billed as the last diner on Route 66, this retro diner began in 1986 but hasn't updated their calendar since the 1950's. The diner maintains it's nostalgic charm with bright neon signs, the decor and the menu. There are even vintage newspapers and a jukebox the plays the oldies. You can stop by for some classic diner fare on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA

We were so close to the finish line of Route 66 that we didn't stop to get a better picture of this timeless theatre. The theatre opened in 1930. Look closely at what's playing on the marquee and you'll see the theatre's claim to immortality. It has been showing "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" every Saturday night at midnight since 1986. Starting sporadically in 1976, it became a staple by the 80's and has shown continually from 1986 on. At over 40 years, it may be the longes

This hotel was built in 1967 and still has the same glowing blue neon sign. The building had an interesting rounded corner where the hotel diner was located. Still run by the original family owners, some renovations have been made but much of the original charm still remains which earned them a Preservation Award in 2022. You can see this iconic hotel on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA