La Brea Tar Pits Tours and Activities

La Brea Tar Pits featuring a garden, a pond and a statue or sculpture
La Brea Tar Pits
La Brea Tar Pits featuring interior views
La Brea Tar Pits showing interior views
La Brea Tar Pits showing interior views


Step back in time to a harsh and unforgiving prehistoric Los Angeles, and walk near the footprints of extinct Ice Age animals.

Columbian mammoths, saber-toothed cats and mastodons once roamed the LA landscape in search of shelter and prey. Until 11,000 years ago the area that is now Hancock Park on the Miracle Mile was an ancient wilderness of exotic mammals and plants. Hundreds of these now-extinct species were well preserved in the cluster of tar pits.  

Many small animals, birds and insects became immobilized in the thick, sludge-like asphalt or tar that seeps up from the ground. The viscous liquid is an excellent preservative and bones, teeth, shells, insect exoskeletons and even some plants seeds have been extracted from the pits.

There are more than 100 of these bubbling pools of tar spread across Hancock Park, and they are among the world’s richest sources of knowledge about life in the Ice Age. They are fenced off to prevent inquisitive visitors from suffering the same fate as the animals, but there are viewing stations nearby.

Scientists have been pulling bones out of the ground here for more than a century and many are on display at the Page Museum, a prehistoric treasure chest that provides a window into Pleistocene and Ice Age California.

The museum has more than a million fossils from more than 650 species, and exhibits include skeletons of mammoths, sloths, wolves and a saber-toothed cat. The museum is more than just a collection of bones. Visitors can watch paleontology as it happens. Excavations of the ground are ongoing and the museum’s Fishbowl Lab lets you watch scientists as they clean, identify, tag and put fossil pieces together.

The La Brea Tar Pits are located about seven miles (11 kilometers) west of downtown on Wilshire Boulevard. There is paid parking directly behind the museum on the corner of Sixth Street and Curson Avenue. The museum is open every day with the exception of major holidays.

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Best Lodging Options Near La Brea Tar Pits

Wilshire Crest Hotel Los Angeles

Wilshire Crest Hotel Los Angeles

2.5 out of 5
6301 Orange St, Los Angeles, CA
Wilshire Crest Hotel Los Angeles
Short Stories Hotel

Short Stories Hotel

4 out of 5
115 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Short Stories Hotel
AC Hotel by Marriott Beverly Hills

AC Hotel by Marriott Beverly Hills

3 out of 5
6399 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
AC Hotel by Marriott Beverly Hills
Kimpton Hotel Wilshire by IHG

Kimpton Hotel Wilshire by IHG

4 out of 5
6317 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Kimpton Hotel Wilshire by IHG
LYFE INN & SUITES by AGA - Beverly Hills

LYFE INN & SUITES by AGA - Beverly Hills

2 out of 5
7575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
LYFE INN & SUITES by AGA - Beverly Hills
Sofitel LA at Beverly Hills

Sofitel LA at Beverly Hills

4.5 out of 5
8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Sofitel LA at Beverly Hills
Beverly Laurel Hotel at West Hollywood

Beverly Laurel Hotel at West Hollywood

3 out of 5
8018 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Beverly Laurel Hotel at West Hollywood
Beverly Inn

Beverly Inn

2 out of 5
7701 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Beverly Inn
Palihouse West Hollywood at Beverly Hills

Palihouse West Hollywood at Beverly Hills

4 out of 5
8384 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA
Palihouse West Hollywood at Beverly Hills
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near La Brea Tar Pits

At La Brea Tar Pits, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including engaging tours of the tar pits themselves and fascinating museum exhibits. Nearby, you can explore theme parks and water parks for additional fun, as well as take photo tours to capture the area's unique beauty. Enjoy a blend of entertainment and culture as you immerse yourself in this iconic Los Angeles attraction.

Shopping

The nearest shopping destination is The Grove, located 966m from the La Brea Tar Pits, offering a mix of family-friendly shops and entertainment options. The Farmers Market, also 966m away, provides a vibrant local atmosphere. If you're up for a drive, check out the MOCA Pacific Design Center, 3.2km away.

Recreation

At Crypto.com Arena, immerse yourself in the excitement of live sports events just 8.0km from the La Brea Tar Pits. Enjoy world-class performances at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, located 9.7km away, or indulge in luxury at the Los Angeles Country Club, a mere 6.4km from your destination.

Adventure

The California Aqueduct Bikeway offers a scenic outdoor experience, perfect for biking enthusiasts, located 9.7km from La Brea Tar Pits. For underwater adventures, visit the Eco Dive Center, situated 8.0km away, or race at Racer's Edge Indoor Karting, an exhilarating karting venue 12.9km away.

Nightlife

At La Brea Tar Pits, you can enjoy a captivating evening at the Griffith Observatory, where the stars align for family-friendly fun. For a more romantic vibe, the Dolby Theatre and TCL Chinese Theatre offer cultural experiences just a stone's throw away, perfect for an entertaining night out.

Find the best attractions near La Brea Tar Pits

When visiting the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, you can immerse yourself in a blend of culture and family-friendly activities. Explore the intriguing museum dedicated to prehistoric fossils, stroll through the adjacent urban park, and discover the vibrant street scene nearby. This destination offers a unique city experience that showcases the fascinating history of the area, making it a must-visit for any traveller.

  • Universal Studios Hollywood: Experience the magic of movies at this exciting theme park, featuring thrilling rides, live shows, and behind-the-scenes tours. Enjoy family-friendly attractions alongside iconic film sets in a vibrant atmosphere, just 8.0km from La Brea Tar Pits.
  • Los Angeles Convention Center: A hub for business and events, this venue hosts conferences, expos, and exhibitions. Its modern facilities cater to various industries, providing a professional environment, also located 8.0km away from La Brea Tar Pits.
  • University of Southern California: Explore this prestigious modern university known for its beautiful campus and vibrant city vibes. The university offers cultural events and art exhibits, all within 8.0km of La Brea Tar Pits.

Best time to go to La Brea Tar Pits

Visitor numbers around La Brea Tar Pits is generally unchanged in popularity throughout the year. The best time to visit La Brea Tar Pits can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around La Brea Tar Pits falls in August, when visitor numbers are average and weather is sunny with no rain. The coolest average temperature around La Brea Tar Pits falls in December, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is sunny with light rain.

calendar iconCalendar Monthtemperature iconTemperaturerain iconPrecipitationmostly cloudy iconCloudinessoccupation rate iconOccupancyprice iconPricing
January56.3°F (13.5°C)Light RainSunnyAverageSlightly Low
February56.7°F (13.7°C)Light RainSunnyAverageAverage
March59.0°F (15.0°C)Light RainSunnySlightly HighAverage
April62.6°F (17.0°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnyAverageAverage
May65.3°F (18.5°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnyAverageAverage
June69.8°F (21.0°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
July74.3°F (23.5°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
August75.7°F (24.3°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnyAverageSlightly High
September75.0°F (23.9°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnyAverageAverage
October69.6°F (20.9°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly LowAverage
November62.6°F (17.0°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly LowSlightly Low
December55.9°F (13.3°C)Light RainSunnySlightly LowSlightly Low

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for La Brea Tar Pits

When visiting the La Brea Tar Pits, take advantage of the free entry and explore nearby attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and The Grove at no cost. Plan your trip between November and January for lower accommodation prices, and consider staying on a Monday to save even more. Use Expedia to compare hotel prices and find budget-friendly options, including eco-certified stays. Lastly, bundling your hotel, flights, and activities through Expedia can lead to significant savings on your overall trip.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around La Brea Tar Pits are November to January, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to June to August, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around La Brea Tar Pits is Monday. The most expensive day to stay around La Brea Tar Pits is Saturday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Expedia's search tool enables you to specify your budget, desired location, and additional preferences. You can arrange your search results by price, from lowest to highest, ensuring that the most affordable hotels appear first. Additionally, you have the option to refine your choices by hotel type; for instance, selecting the "Eco-certified" filter will showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly accommodations available for booking.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can save money by combining your hotel stay near the La Brea Tar Pits with your flights and activities through an Expedia package.