It’s hard to imagine Los Angeles as a gateway to the Ice Age, but the La Brea Tar Pits Museum is where scientists have discovered over 3.5 million fossils, including mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves. Designated as a National Natural Landmark, this site has been a treasure trove for scientists and history enthusiasts, drawing over 350,000 visitors annually.
Background on La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
The discovery of fossils at La Brea Tar Pits dates back to 1901, and Hancock Park was established in 1924. The George C. Page Museum was built 50 years later to house the extensive collection of fossils. What sets La Brea apart is that it’s the only active urban fossil dig site in the world, allowing visitors to witness paleontologists at work.
The venue is an indoor-outdoor experience where visitors can see Pits 3, 4, 9, 13, 23, 61, 67, and 91. Pit 91 is an active fossil dig. What the museum is to fossilized bones, the Pleistocene Garden is to Ice Age plants. Of the many fossils displayed here, the most famous is a near-complete Columbian mammoth skeleton named ‘Zed.’
Where is La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, and how to get there?
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is located at 5801 Wilshire Boulevard.
Wilshire & Western on the D Line is the closest metro stop. From here, you can take public transport to complete the 2.7-mile journey to the museum.
If you’re traveling by bus, take Bus no. 20, 786, or the DASH service to Wilshire/Curson.
For those driving, paid parking is available at the museum’s lot on South Curson Avenue. If you choose street parking, read all parking signs carefully. Avoid parking along Wilshire Boulevard between 7 am and 9 am and 4 pm and 7 pm on weekdays, as cars may be ticketed or towed.
What to expect when you visit?
La Brea Tar Pits is a family-friendly venue open throughout the week, with peak crowds on weekends and during LA County Free Hours. To avoid the rush, visit on a weekday morning.
Once you enter the park, pick up a map to ensure you don’t miss anything. Visitors are also given wristbands for the 35-minute excavator tour and museum access. This does not include the Ice Age Encounters Show and the 3D theater. You need to purchase tickets for these shows separately.
Wheelchairs are available on-site if required. The museum also permits service animals and has provisions to make exhibits accessible to guests with hearing disabilities.
Get tickets to visit the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Admission to the museum is free for active/ retired United States military members, NHMLAC members, CA EBT cardholders, USC Students and Faculty, and California PreK-12 school staff. All Los Angeles County residents enjoy free admission between 3 pm and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
General Admission tickets are available at the museum ticketing desk and online, which is more convenient. Groups of more than 10 individuals can enjoy discounted rates.
What else can you do when you visit the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum?
Watching live excavations is only the beginning of the La Brea Tar Pits experience. After the excavator tour, head to the Fossil Lab to see scientists preparing and reconstructing fossils.
You’ll be able to see many fossils on display in the museum. If botany interests you, check out the fossilized plant matter at the Pleistocene Garden. Don’t miss the unique multimedia performance of “Ice Age Encounters” and the thrilling 3D film. You can even try out the “Tar Trap” experience to see what it was like for Ice Age animals.
Enjoy a picnic in Hancock Park to take a break. And, before you leave, don’t forget to pick up souvenirs at the Tar Pits store.
FAQs
What are the visiting times for the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum?
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum are open from 9:30 am to 5 pm on all days of the week except for holidays and the first Tuesday of every month.
Are scientists still excavating fossils at the tar pits?
Yes, there are 2 active excavation sites in the park. You can see work going on in Project 23 and Pit 91.
How many fossils have been found at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum?
Since 1906, over 1 million fossilized bones of 231 vertebrate species have been found here. Scientists have also identified fossils of 234 invertebrate species and 159 plant species.
A visit to La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is a journey back to the Ice Age. Its extensive fossil collection and active excavation sites offer a unique glimpse into ancient life.
From watching scientists excavate fossils to learning how these finds are prepared and then seeing them displayed in the museum, you learn something new at every step of this journey.