Los Angeles
DESTINATION GUIDE WITH ELLIOT MARCH
Los Angles Design City Guide: A Curated Journey with Elliot March
Los Angeles is a city where old Hollywood glamour meets a thriving culture of innovation—making it a dream destination for interior designers and design enthusiasts. This curated travel guide to Los Angeles uncovers the city’s unique blend of desert minimalism, coastal chic, and global creativity. From the iconic modernist homes of the Hollywood Hills to the cutting-edge design galleries in Downtown LA, every corner of the city reflects a bold and expressive design identity.
A true creative capital, LA’s design scene is rooted in contrasts: sun-drenched palettes, tactile materials, and a deep reverence for storytelling through space. Whether you're exploring during LA Design Festival or planning a creative escape, this design guide to LA - curated by Elliot March of MAWD - offers insider access to the city's most inspiring places to stay, shop, dine, and discover.
may 2025
Words: designeers and Elliot march
favourite ART GALLERY:
Hauser & Wirth Downtown LA
Hauser & Wirth in Los Angeles is an institution, and for good reason. Set within a thoughtfully restored former flour mill in the Arts District, this gallery effortlessly combines world-class contemporary art with a strong sense of community. I especially love how it blends high-calibre art with everyday culture.
favourite design museum:
LACMA
A visit to LACMA is a must. Its vast permanent collection spans centuries and continents, offering something for every kind of art lover. The newly expanded Art + Technology Lab adds a fresh edge, serving as an experimental playground where artists and engineers blur the lines between innovation and imagination.
A breakfast and coffee stop:
Pedalers Fork, Calabasas
Head into Calabasas and hit up Peddlers Fork, one of my favourite places to stop after a ride. Whether you're enjoying a hearty brunch or sipping on a crafted espresso, it offers a unique and inviting atmosphere. It's a perfect stop for food enthusiasts and cycling aficionados alike, blending culinary excellence with a passion for active living.
A lunch to indulge into:
Presque’ile
If you are up for an adventure, I would recommend venturing out to Presqu'ile for the wine and food experience in the Santa Maria Valley. Their cool-climate wines somehow manage to be both crisp and cosy, like a hug in a glass with a hint of ocean breeze.
A fine dining restaurant:
Sushi Yamamoto
Sushi Yamamoto in Beverly Hills is one of those places that quietly blows you away. Chef Yamamoto brings such calm confidence to every course, from smoky wagyu to delicate nigiri that melts the moment it touches your tongue. It’s the kind of dinner that lingers in your memory long after the last bite.
a Vineyard:
Demetria Estate Winery
Skip the wine bar and go straight to the vineyard, you’re in California! Head to Demetria Estate Winery, a family-owned estate in Los Olivos crafting Rhône and Burgundy style biodynamic wines, and savour a tasting amid pristine nature.
A PLACE TO FIND ART, FURNITURE AND DESIGN OBJECTS:
The Future Perfect
The Future Perfect’s Goldwyn House, located at the base of the Hollywood Hills is great. Curated as if it was someone's home, the experiential nature of the showroom is the perfect context for designers like myself to imagine how each piece would fit within a client's home.
An artisT everyone should know about:
DUSK
Dusk is where LA’s style meets serious craftsmanship. This design studio whips up bespoke furniture and lighting that’s as unique as the city itself. Perfect if you’re after a little local flair with your interior inspiration.
A must-SEE neighbourhood for design lovers:
Abbott Kinney Boulevard, Venice Beach
It’s cliche, but I still rate Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach for its intimate sense of scale, walkability with many boutiques & shops from both local and major brands to check out. Don’t forget to stop in at the Shinola concept store.
Your go-to bookstore:
Arcana
ARCANA: Books for the Arts is an institution, and the best place to go for inspiration and or research spanning architecture, design, fashion, art history, industrial design, and more.
a design hotel to stay in:
Hotel Bel-Air
A personal favourite of mine is Hotel Bel-Air. The hotel is secluded, while still being storied and full of Hollywood glamour. Situated in the Santa Monica foothills, the property is surrounded with greenery, and deeply influenced by Mediterranean design. Pitch up to the bar for live jazz and martinis on a Friday night.
An iconic architectural landmark:
Stahl House
Stahl House (Case Study House #22) by Pierre Koenig is the landmark that most conjures up Los Angeles to me. Overlooking the Hollywood Hills, the design is purely cinematic, where the city lights sparkle below like a living movie set.
the best spot for a sunset view:
Yucca Valley
Watching the sunset while cycling through the Yucca Valley. There is something unique about the colours of sunset in the desert that cannot be replicated, or imitated.
A place to adventure out of town:
Los Olivos
I often bring my family here for a quick escape. Buzzy, yet still underrated, Los Olivos has incredible wine and gastronomy offerings, with stunning landscapes, and the newly renovated L’Auberge is a favourite stay for a weekend away.
Favourite outdoor space:
Topanga
Topanga Canyon is like LA’s best-kept secret hideout; think hipsters, hiking boots, and the occasional artist who swears they’ve found enlightenment in a coffee cup. This quirky spot mixes rugged mountain charm with indie cafés and a festival that’s a parade for cool people. Perfect for anyone who wants to escape the city noise without actually leaving LA.
More Destinations
