Curated Routes: Beverly Hills Art, Design & Tea Hunt

Beverly Hills is so often defined by its most famous streets and high-gloss glamour, but beneath that surface lies a quiet, intentional landscape of art, architecture, and—if you know where to look—exceptional tea.

In this installment of Curated Routes, we are shifting our focus to this world-famous destination but this itinerary offers a different rhythm for the neighborhood. We will explore the striking contrast between contemporary installations and historic estates, dive into the beauty of West Coast fashion design, and finish with a surprising tea sommelier’s treasure hunt hidden in plain sight.

The Visual Anchor: Gagosian

Beverly Hills

Our route begins in the expansive, light-filled galleries of Gagosian. Their contemporary exhibitions consistently challenge one's perception of space and form. A perfect example is their recent Frank Gehry exhibition—a stunning showcase of his non-architectural sculptural work. I feel deeply connected to Frank Gehry's architecture, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in DTLA and the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris in particular. Seeing his approach translated into intricate, animal-inspired forms, like the gleaming, faceted stainless steel of Bear with Us, was absolutely delightful.

But the truly breathtaking moment for me came when I stepped into the dark room showcasing his animal-shaped lamps, especially the oversized fish. It transported me to the depths of my own imagination, and time simply stopped. This is exactly the kind of art experience I seek—one that draws you in and keeps you captivated in its magic.

The Architectural Pause: Greystone Mansion & Gardens

Beverly Hills

A short drive up into the hills brings us to the Greystone Mansion. This historic Tudor Revival estate—completed in 1928—provides a study in scale, history, and landscape design.

Moving through the manicured gardens, with their stone courtyards, water features and descending terraces, offers a peaceful counterpoint to the city's hectic pace. The fact that these beautifully maintained grounds operate as a public park and are completely free to visit makes the detour even more rewarding. The sweeping views of Los Angeles from the grounds create a natural space for reflection—the ideal environment to pause and reset before diving into the next stops along our route.

West Coast Silhouettes: Sanctuary Clothing

North Beverly Drive

Making our way back into the Golden Triangle, the recently opened Sanctuary Clothing flagship boutique on North Beverly Drive offers a calm respite from the bustling energy of Beverly Hills. After decades of being a staple in the Los Angeles fashion scene, their first brick-and-mortar space was designed with a distinct focus on organic, textural minimalism.

The boutique itself is a beautiful reflection of the brand's ethos—using materials that wear in, rather than wear out. Their collections perfectly capture that elusive, elevated West Coast ease. Their slightly boho-chic yet well-tailored silhouettes prioritize utility without sacrificing style, making it an essential stop for anyone who views their wardrobe as a collection of intentional, enduring objects. The boutique currently focuses exclusively on women's clothing—though walking through the beautifully curated space certainly left me wishing they offered a menswear line as well.

The Unexpected Tea Treasure Hunt: Erewhon

North Beverly Drive

Directly across the street from Sanctuary is the final stop of our route: Erewhon. It is impossible to discuss this Los Angeles institution without acknowledging its reputation for exorbitant pricing, but setting the hype aside reveals a surprisingly varied and highly curated inventory. For a tea sommelier, their grocery aisles function as an unexpected treasure hunt.

Sifting through the shelves yielded some brilliant finds, including Chafinity Gyokuro, Osulloc Sejak (Korean green tea), Osulloc Volcanic Oolong and Samovar's loose-leaf Chai. Chafinity Gyokuro is very high quality and the price ($45 before tax) reflects that. The greatest surprise for me was Osulloc. Despite being packaged in tea bags, this Korean tea brand masterfully preserves the complex, distinct minerality of its Jeju Island terroir without falling flat—in both its oolong ($12.99) and green tea ($21.99).

My tea quest at Erewhon is not over though. If you want me to explore their ready-to-drink tea selection and tea available at their coffee and smoothie counter/Tonic Bar, let me know in the comments down below and I'd be happy to review their tea offerings for you.

This Beverly Hills route is designed to be taken at your own pace, allowing the striking contrasts of the neighborhood to unfold organically. To help you recreate this day, I've mapped out the entire curated route in a custom Google Map below.

Whether you are exploring art, taking a stroll, taking in sweeping city views, shopping for your next outfit or discovering new tea to add to your collection, you will find a version of Beverly Hills that feels entirely your own. It is a reminder that even within one of the world's most recognizable zip codes, an afternoon can be completely redefined when you slow down and are present in the moment.