La Brea Tar Pits

Activity Overview

The La Brea Tar Pits are one of the most famous excavations sites in the world. Incredibly located in urban Los Angeles La Brea has served to perfectly preserve numerous creatures from thousands of years past. These creatures met their end in the tar which held their bodies until the team at Page Museum dug them out. You can see these amazing creatures including mammoths and saber tooth tigers in the Museum itself.

Things to Do

• Excavations are still finding numerous animals at La Brea Tar Pits which claims to be the only Ice Age dig that is currently ongoing in the world. The Tar Pits have already dug up numerous extinct animals from a long gone time in the Earth's history and continues to find remains that are priceless to scientists.
• This is a great chance for your family to see the site of this work and the 3.5 million fossils archaeologists have already come across.
• Take the Museum's free Excavator Tour which goes twice a day during the weekdays and four times a day on Saturdays and Sundays. This tour will take you around all of the highlights but remember to book it on the website ahead of your visit as a timed ticket is needed.

The La Brea Tar Pits Insider Tips

• If you are unsure of how to spend your time at La Brea the Museum has helpfully put together a few suggested itineraries to help visitors decide. Their interactive map will also help you to know where to go.
• The pits only close on Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
• All children under 2 and active military may get general admission into the Museum for free. There is free admission for all on the first Tuesday of each month except for July and August. There is a flat parking fee of $9.