Cerro San Luis (also known as Madonna) Mountain is one of the nine sisters located south of and adjacent to Bishop peak. It is located in the Cerro San Luis natural reserve. In addition, it is also a popular hiking and running destination, allows mountain biking and also has a great view of SLO from the top.

Much of it was purchased by Alex Madonna in 1973. In 1975 he controversially constructed the road that spirals up to the peak, ostensibly planning to build another Madonna Inn-like attraction at the top (though he claimed at first, unconvincingly, that the road was merely a fire-control measure). He also hosted public Easter services at the peak and erected a large lit christmas-tree-shaped display during the holiday season.¹

The large “M” on its side, visible from many places in town, stands for the “Mission High School” at its base.²

Notes

1. Sharon Lewis Dickerson Mountains of Fire: San Luis Obispo County’s Famous Nine Sisters—A Chain of Ancient Volcanic Peak EZ Nature Books (1990), pp. 31–32, 37–41
2. Dickerson, op. cit. p. 38