A Two-Day Design-Lover’s Los Angeles Itinerary
Starting and ending at a hotel that feels like a well-edited home
Los Angeles rewards those who look closely. For design lovers, the city is less about landmarks and more about details: the curve of a Neutra balcony, the scent of fresh bread in a gallery café, the way late-afternoon light hits a tiled façade in Koreatown.
This two-day itinerary is designed for travelers who see cities through architecture, interiors, and quiet moments of beauty—and who prefer to come “home” to a boutique hotel that feels curated rather than corporate. Centered around The Ivory in Koreatown, it weaves together modern design, mid-century icons, thoughtful food, and neighborhood discoveries on the east and west sides of the city.
Day One: Architecture, Art & Eastside Neighborhoods
Morning: Slow rituals at The Ivory, then a Koreatown wander
Begin your day the way locals might start a slow Sunday at home.
- Enjoy complimentary morning coffee and artisan bread in the lobby, a space designed to feel more like an art-filled living room than a hotel lounge. Notice the layering of textures—linen, stone, warm woods—that sets the tone for the day.
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Step out into Koreatown, one of Los Angeles’ most architecturally eclectic neighborhoods. Within a few blocks, you’ll see:
- Historic Art Deco buildings repurposed as restaurants and creative offices
- Traditional Korean signage alongside sleek, minimalist cafés
- Hidden courtyards and tiled entries that reward a curious eye
Stop at a nearby bakery or café for a second coffee and a glimpse into local daily life. This is a neighborhood where design isn’t staged; it’s woven into the rhythms of the street.
Late Morning: Wilshire Boulevard’s museum mile
From The Ivory, a short drive along Wilshire brings you to Mid-Wilshire, home to some of the city’s most compelling cultural institutions for design-minded travelers.
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
Explore exhibitions that often blend art, design, and architecture. Move beyond the Instagram-famous lampposts to the quieter galleries—textile installations, modern furniture, and photography exhibits that reveal how design shapes the way we live.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Next door, this contemporary building—designed by Renzo Piano—celebrates the craft of filmmaking. Look for exhibits that highlight costume design, production design, and set architecture. The building itself, with its glass dome and terraces, offers layered views of the city and a study in how old and new structures can coexist.
Pause for a light lunch at one of the museum cafés or nearby restaurants, where the interiors are often as considered as the menus.
Afternoon: Architectural views from Griffith Observatory
Drive north toward Griffith Observatory, one of the most cinematic vantage points in Los Angeles. As you wind up the hill, watch how the city unfolds: mid-rise density in Koreatown, the vertical lines of Downtown Los Angeles, the shimmer of far-off West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
At the observatory:
- Walk the grounds to appreciate its Art Deco details—ornamental metalwork, geometric motifs, and the symmetry of the façade.
- Step inside to see how the 1930s architecture has been sensitively preserved and expanded, with clean lines and thoughtful lighting.
If time allows, take one of the short trails for different perspectives of the building and the city below. The experience is as much about volume and space as it is about the view.
Early Evening: Rooftop golden hour at The Ivory
Return to The Ivory before sunset and head straight to the open-air rooftop terrace. As the city transitions from day to night, the terrace offers:
- Panoramic views across Koreatown to Hollywood and Downtown
- A chance to see how Los Angeles’ patchwork of neighborhoods fits together
- A quietly luxurious setting where well-edited furnishings frame the skyline rather than compete with it
Order a signature cocktail from the contemporary bar downstairs and bring it up to the terrace. This is where The Ivory feels most like a private residence—intimate, considered, and unhurried.
Night: Design-forward dining in Koreatown
For dinner, explore Koreatown’s restaurant scene, where architectural detail and culinary innovation often go hand in hand. Choose a spot that reflects your design sensibilities:
- A minimalist Korean tasting room with stone counters and open kitchens
- A heritage barbecue restaurant with vintage signage and wood-paneled booths
- A sleek cocktail bar tucked behind an unmarked door, lit only by candlelight and neon
Return “home” to The Ivory for warm evening cookies, a simple ritual that feels more like something a friend would offer than a hotel amenity.
Day Two: Mid-Century Icons, Beach Light & Quiet Luxury
Morning: A swim, a stretch, and a sense of place
Anchor your second day with a slower start at the hotel.
- Take an early dip in the heated courtyard pool, where the surrounding architecture creates a calm urban oasis. The design is intentionally understated: clean lines, thoughtful landscaping, and just enough greenery to soften the city around you.
- Visit the modern fitness center, where natural light and contemporary equipment make even a brief workout feel considered rather than obligatory.
Gather local recommendations from the front desk for coffee or breakfast en route to the west side; The Ivory’s team curates suggestions the way a design-minded friend would.
Late Morning: Mid-century Los Angeles in Beverly Hills & West Hollywood
Head west toward Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, two neighborhoods where mid-century and contemporary design sit comfortably side by side.
As you walk or drive through the area, pay attention to:
- Low-slung mid-century residences with broad eaves and glass walls
- Discreet architectural studios and galleries
- Design-forward cafés and hotel lobbies that showcase quiet luxury rather than spectacle
Consider a visit to a design or furniture gallery in West Hollywood’s Design District, where you can see how contemporary makers reinterpret classic California modernism.
Afternoon: Pacific light and coastal architecture
Continue to the coast for a change in light and mood. Depending on your pace, you might:
- Stroll through Santa Monica, noting the interplay between preserved historic buildings and new mixed-use projects
- Explore Venice, where architectural experiments—from stark modernist boxes to lushly layered bungalows—reflect the city’s creative energy
Seek out a beach-adjacent café or restaurant with intentional interiors: pale woods, worn concrete, linen upholstery, and open windows that let ocean air become part of the design.
Late Afternoon: Art, caviar, and a final city view
Return to Koreatown in the late afternoon, leaving enough time to enjoy The Ivory before your evening plans.
- Wander the hotel’s curated artwork, taking in how pieces are placed to complement the architecture rather than fill empty walls.
- Settle into a quiet corner of the lobby or rooftop and indulge in the hotel’s twenty-four-hour Kaluga caviar service—a quietly decadent experience that feels more like a private ritual than a spectacle.
This is where The Ivory’s interpretation of boutique luxury becomes clear: it’s not about excess, but about thoughtful moments that stay with you.
Evening: Downtown energy, Koreatown homecoming
For your final night, consider a short trip to Downtown Los Angeles:
- Walk around the historic core to see early 20th-century façades juxtaposed with contemporary towers.
- Pass by venues like Crypto.com Arena or explore the Arts District, where converted warehouses house galleries, restaurants, and creative studios.
Return to The Ivory to close your trip exactly where it began: in a space that feels like a well-edited home, layered with memories from two days of discovering Los Angeles through its design, architecture, and neighborhoods.
If you’re planning a design-focused stay in Los Angeles and want a base that feels both residential and quietly luxurious, discover The Ivory in Koreatown—your gateway to seeing the city with a more thoughtful eye.