Los Angeles?

[wilson]

So I'm headed to LA in a couple of weeks to be on Jeopardy! (yup, the real deal...I'm so great). I'm going with my dad, and we'll be spending several days in and around the area. He has been there a fair amount, but I've never even been to California.

I know (or at least I think I know) that I want to go to the Getty Museum, and we also obviously plan to cruise the Hollywood/Beverly Hills area, but the sheer size of the metro LA area is rather daunting for a 5 1/2-day trip. I am also quite intrigued by the Page Museum adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits.

Does anyone have any comments or recommendations? I'm of course interested in museums and sites, but I feel like those are easier for an out-of-towner to sniff out than things like restaurants.

Finally, if anyone is in town and at all interested in coming to the taping, I'd be happy to put you on my guest list in exchange for good insider info.

[hurleyfor3]

If you're going to the Tarheel Pits, LACMA is next door and free on Friday evenings.

[JasonEvans]

So I'm headed to LA in a couple of weeks to be on Jeopardy! (yup, the real deal...I'm so great).

Congrats!! somsone who posts around here (not frequently but occassionally) was a 3-time Jep champion. He's a good friend of mine. I'll send him an email and maybe he will post some thoughts/advice for you about being on the show.

-Jason "he also went on Millionare... but that's another story" Evans

[OZZIE4DUKE]

So I'm headed to LA in a couple of weeks to be on Jeopardy! (yup, the real deal...I'm so great).

Good luck!

Another Duke grad/DBR lurker was the first more than 5-time Jeopardy champion: Tom Walsh. Tom won 7 games and was their biggest winner until Ken Jennings came along a few weeks later. I have Tom's contact information, so if you would like it to ask him for pointers, please email or PM me and I'll give it to you off line.

[mapei]

I've spent a fair amount of time in LA and generally like the beach communities the best. It's hard to go wrong, but Santa Monica and Venice are terrific for hanging out.

Good luck on the show!

[Chard]

Let us know when we can watch! Good luck.

[snowdenscold]

Let us know when we can watch! Good luck.

You'd think people would tell you that, haha. One of my best friends from high school went on Jeopardy during college but lost to Ken Jennings - and then was so embarrased he didn't tell any of us when the air date was.

Oh well, he's now entering the ME at the WSOP and makes way more money than I do playing poker full time now...

[tommy]

For my money the 2 best restaurants in LA are AOC on Beverly Blvd. (not Beverly Drive) and Campanile on La Brea. They're pretty high end, though, as are Water Grill downtown and Geoffrey's in Malibu, which are both great also. I could give you a bunch of others too, and also some less pricey alternatives, but it also depends on what part of town you're going to want to be in, what kind of food you want, etc.

[dukeblueyes]

I second tommy on Campanile (check out grilled cheese Thursdays- and get reservations) and Watergrill (very nice). I also like Boa in Santa Monica.

[pfrduke]

Second both AOC and Campanile (I guess I'm thirding Campanile). AOC is particularly fun - it does small plate service and has a great wine bar (I think 30-40 wines by the glass), so it's a great place to go to get to try a variety of foods and try some different wines as well.

I'd also add Lucques (8474 Melrose) and La Cachette. Lucques is also owned by Suzanne Goin (who owns AOC) and is a more traditional style restaurant. La Cachette is an unbelievably good New French restaurant, and you'd never stumble onto it unless you knew it was there (google La Cachette and use the directions on their website). It's tucked away on Little Santa Monica in a small old house, but it serves up delicious food and superior service. They do a lamb "two ways" that is just about perfect. I think La Cachette is probably the best meal I've had in LA, which says a lot. Enjoy your time out west!

[dukemomLA]

Where will you be staying?? That could help determine which restaurants, tourist sites, etc. would work best for a short 5 day stay.

Musso & Frank's in Hollywood is one of the oldest eating joints around -- and a great Caesar Salad. The Watts Towers are something that you can't experience anywhere else. A hike/picnic at Switzer's (up the Angeles Crest) is a sublime way to send a few hours. Aside from the Getty, the Norton Simon in Pasadena is really wonderful for modern art. Venice Beach is the epitome of wonderful craziness. etc. etc.

With such a short visit, it's best to 'branch out' from your home base. Since Jeopardy shoots on the Sony lot in Culver City, I assume you are staying near there. Do you play golf? Riviera is close by. If you like soccer -- the Home Depot center in Carson is just a skip and a jump. HAVE A GREAT TIME!! and PLEASE let us know when your episodes air so we can cheer you on! WOW. What fun.