La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
4.5
Natural History MuseumsScience Museums
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Explore the world's only active, urban Ice Age excavation site. Inside the Page Museum is where we showcase the best fossils, animals, and plants that have been discovered here - mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and more. Experience the Ice Age come to life with our Ice Age Encounters show. Outside check out the La Brea Tar Pits where tar is still bubbling and our active fossil excavation sites to see what our excavators have uncovered today. Get the behind-the-scenes story and see scientists working on recently excavated fossils, walk around our famous Lake Pit, and visit our live dig site where scientists discover new Ice Age specimens every day. Free with museum admission.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Admission tickets
from C$20.84
All you need to step foot in the door.
Top ways to experience La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
See what travellers are saying
  • Shanelle
    Santa Monica, California2,755 contributions
    Free access to tar pits and paid entry to the museum
    Archaeological digs with public viewing of the dig sites. There’s also a paid entry museum that you can visit while you’re visiting the premises. It’s located right next to LACMA and it’s a good spot for tourists and families to visit. Metered street parking or paid parking. The tar pits still bubble and though there’s statues of a mammoth family watching one of its members die (which made me really sad as a kid), it’s a fun way to spend an hour or two.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written January 15, 2023
  • Sydney
    Saint Louis, Missouri211 contributions
    Cool Park
    This is a cool park. You can see the tar pits on your own, but they are kind of ugly. Nothing to write home about and definitely nothing to take pictures of. But fun to walk around for a bit. We came around 7pm, so we didn't go inside the museum. I think we would have had a better experience if we went to the museum, because we would have at least learned something.
    Visited July 2022
    Written March 7, 2023
  • TravelerWithOpinions
    Boston, Massachusetts526 contributions
    Fascinating!!
    It's wonderful that the La Brea Tar Pits are considered a city park and are therefore free and open to the public. The signage is informative and fascinating, as is seeing places where tar is bubbling up. It's also so interesting to see the crates of fossils and more waiting to be studied!
    Visited June 2023
    Written June 7, 2023
  • Bunty8
    United Kingdom600 contributions
    Interesting
    This was an interesting site, I hadn’t been aware of the tar pits. Museum was closed but had wander around the park, where you can see the tar pits bubbling away and explanation of how the animals had been trapped. If passing worth a look, would liked to have seen museum.
    Visited May 2023
    Written July 3, 2023
  • Paul W
    Sheffield, United Kingdom142 contributions
    Worth a visit if you are in the area
    We are from the UK and were travelling around the US, when this location was recommended to us. To be honest, we weren't too sure about a visit, however we were very pleasantly surprised and glad that we did visit La Brea. The place is very interesting and informative and the walking tour that we went on (included in the admission price) with a young (to us 60 somethings) lady was really enjoyable. Thank you! You can also get re-admission on the same day with the wrist band.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written July 19, 2023
  • spiwakj
    Jacksonville, Florida238 contributions
    Excellent place to visit while in LA.
    This was a terrific experience. You can actually view the tar pits in the outdoor area for no cost. It is very interesting. The fossil/fact tour by Reuben was wonderful and he answered many questions. The indoor museum has a few, and it is well laid out and worth the price. Park in the public lot if their lot is full. Lots of good places to eat within walking distance. It was an enjoyable experience.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written October 30, 2023
  • Jim F
    Greensburg, Pennsylvania208 contributions
    Ice Age revisited
    The Ice Age revisited! Visiting the actual tar pits dating back centuries gave a whole new perspective of the development of our planet. The pits continue to not only bubble but also to provide fossils of mammoths, saber toothed cats and so many other animals and insects. After touring the tar pits, a visit to the museum is a must. The various discoveries from the pits are put together like an intricate puzzle forming completed skeletons of the centuries old mammals and insects. It is an exciting and eye opening experience. Both children and adults will be impressed with a visit here.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written November 2, 2023
  • Brandon K
    Flagstaff, Arizona1,888 contributions
    Great museum but very good overall experience
    I am not sure what I had in mind coming into this, but the experience was very good even if different than expected. We waited a day to come because it says online you need tickets on limited availability to go to the "museum". What we did not know is that 75 percent of what you see is outside in the free public park area with the last 25% being inside the museum that has limited access. The tar pits themselves are interesting areas. They are spots where oil comes up from faults and interacts with surface water. They sound far more visual than they are, but there is nothing wrong with that if you manage expectations. There are multiple fenced off "pits" that show where the oil and tar have come up through the ground, but only a couple of them really look interesting - the lake pit being one as you can see big bubbles coming up through the water. The funny and interesting part is that the tar pits pop up wherever they please. There are clearly smaller areas that were fenced as something bubbled up wherever it broke through the grass or dirt, which is really interesting to realize how "live" these pits still are in the middle of developed LA. The museum itself was worth the wait an the time as it has all sorts of fossils and great exhibits that the kids really got into, so I recommend that you make sure you have time for the actual museum if this is your first visit. I don't know if this place has much repeat value unless you come for a specific event.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written November 12, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Brandon K
Flagstaff, AZ1,888 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
I am not sure what I had in mind coming into this, but the experience was very good even if different than expected. We waited a day to come because it says online you need tickets on limited availability to go to the "museum". What we did not know is that 75 percent of what you see is outside in the free public park area with the last 25% being inside the museum that has limited access. The tar pits themselves are interesting areas. They are spots where oil comes up from faults and interacts with surface water. They sound far more visual than they are, but there is nothing wrong with that if you manage expectations. There are multiple fenced off "pits" that show where the oil and tar have come up through the ground, but only a couple of them really look interesting - the lake pit being one as you can see big bubbles coming up through the water. The funny and interesting part is that the tar pits pop up wherever they please. There are clearly smaller areas that were fenced as something bubbled up wherever it broke through the grass or dirt, which is really interesting to realize how "live" these pits still are in the middle of developed LA. The museum itself was worth the wait an the time as it has all sorts of fossils and great exhibits that the kids really got into, so I recommend that you make sure you have time for the actual museum if this is your first visit. I don't know if this place has much repeat value unless you come for a specific event.
Written November 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diane
Atkinson, NH6 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
Very interesting - well worth it. Kids really enjoyed all of the exhibits inside and outside. The grounds were very clean and staff was very friendly
Written November 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael S
1 contribution
Nov. 2023 • Business
Had fun the Museum was full of good informative material. I would definitely return to LaBrea Tar Pits again.
Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim F
Greensburg, PA208 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
The Ice Age revisited! Visiting the actual tar pits dating back centuries gave a whole new perspective of the development of our planet. The pits continue to not only bubble but also to provide fossils of mammoths, saber toothed cats and so many other animals and insects. After touring the tar pits, a visit to the museum is a must. The various discoveries from the pits are put together like an intricate puzzle forming completed skeletons of the centuries old mammals and insects. It is an exciting and eye opening experience. Both children and adults will be impressed with a visit here.
Written November 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

spiwakj
Jacksonville, FL238 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
This was a terrific experience. You can actually view the tar pits in the outdoor area for no cost. It is very interesting. The fossil/fact tour by Reuben was wonderful and he answered many questions. The indoor museum has a few, and it is well laid out and worth the price. Park in the public lot if their lot is full. Lots of good places to eat within walking distance. It was an enjoyable experience.
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Justif I
Belleville, New Jersey4 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
The history of the tar pits is pretty amazing, and so for that I gave it three stars. However, the actual site itself, and the viewing of the tar pits was a bit of a letdown. My husband and I went together and we did not get a tour guide and we’re happy we did not pay for that extra. The one tar pit that was active was actually closed so we didn’t get to see that part of it. All in all it’s cool to have seen it but definitely a disappointment overall. The staff is very friendly and helpful and that’s why I would give it a 3 star not 2 stars.
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

T3570FEcatherineg
Los Anteles, United States16 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
These tar pits are a 50+ year tradition with our family, shared again with our young ones as it was shared with us. Lots of improvements over the years making the destination perfect for all interests and ages. Take public transit if at all possible to this destination and spend time time appreciating the real world up close, in the middle of everything "Hollywood." Everyone will learn something fascinating they didn't expect. Don't miss the pistons "stuck" in the tar because in a matter of seconds you'll really understand the physics of getting stuck. Help support the Museum and it's research. Become a member, your ticket purchases may be applied to your membership. Enjoy!
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

northernk
Phoenix, AZ12,659 contributions
Aug. 2023
So had been wanting to come here for many years and finally made it. Watching the recent tv series "La Brea" inspired me even more to say, I have to do this and see La Brea, which only the opening show in the series I believe actually filmed some here. In any case, not plugging the show, but this is a super cool place to see. I love the design of the main building first off, it's a really cool design with a plant area in the middle which you can walk above and gaze into as well. And the structure makes it so you can walk around the display areas really easily. There is even a window to look in on the active scientists doing their work and research, talk about working in a petrie dish lol, but I suppose they get used to it. There is also a short 3D film you can pay 6 dollars extra for and a anime sort of puppet show, that I didn't make but sounded super cool. Went on a tour which is included and boy would I recommend this. They take you around the park and really in depth explain what is actively going on here and apparently through out the LA area as far as oil and tar and so many bones and and fossils still being found and investigated. Fascinating to see how the oil is actively still seeping. up and where. They have so many containers and explain how it's moved to the location and from where so that they can as time allows and volunteers work to clean up the finds over time. Another cool thing is that the parking lot is one price and you can go to all the other museums in the area.
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rcon
2 contributions
Aug. 2023
The vast collection of perfectly preserved bones of Pleistocene fauna was very impressive. There are still a vast number of fossils to be processed. In addition to the megafauna, there are many small creatures like mice and insects. Awesome!
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

david m
Chubbuck, ID456 contributions
My family and I went to the la brea tar pit museum and the park. This was an awesome experience to “travel” back to ice age Los Angeles. It was awesome to see the remains from animals such as giant ground sloths, dire wolves, American lion, saber tooth cats, columbian mammoths, mastodons, and other animals. Each of the displays were informative. Our kids enjoyed the ice age encounter activity. We wished the museum was bigger though.
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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LA BREA TAR PITS AND MUSEUM - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost C$20.38, while a popular guided tour starts around C$40.75 per person.

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