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La Brea Tar Pits and Museum Tickets, Los Angeles, CA

5801 Wilshire Blvd • Los Angeles, CA 90036

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A display of an elephant stuck in the Lake Pit trying to get to a baby and adult elephant on shore at the La Brea Tar Pits.

Saber-toothed predator fossil on display at the La Brea Tar Pits with museum guests in the background.

A young Mammoth fossil still stuck in rock on display at the La Brea Tar Pits.

A man in a black shirt at a work site squatted down checking on fossils that can be found at La Brea Tar Pits.

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Overview

Discover La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles, CA, home to over a million Ice Age fossils. Walk among bubbling tar pits, life-size mammoth replicas, and more. Located in Central Los Angeles, it features ongoing excavations and a Fossil Lab where you can watch paleontologists at work. Don't miss this glimpse into the prehistoric world—book now!

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Good To Know

Located in Hancock Park within the historical Miracle Mile in Los Angeles, CA.
Visit live excavation sites like Project 23, Pit 91, and the Observation Pit, and learn about exciting Tar Pit discoveries with insights from a museum educator.
The family-friendly museum offers free admission for children 2 and under; just select a free ticket for them at checkout.
Discoveries From the Tar Pits, the Excavator Tour, Fossil Lab, and the museum’s permanent exhibits are included in the general admission ticket.
The museum is ADA accessible with accessible parking, restrooms, assistive listening devices, and an ASL interpreter (with advance notice).
The 3D Theater and Ice Age Encounters show are excluded from general admission, but are available on-site for a small fee.
Please avoid parking along Wilshire Blvd. between 7–9 am and 4–7 pm (M–F) to avoid getting ticketed or towed.
Discover nearby restaurants and food trucks offering outdoor dining, or grab take-out and enjoy a picnic in Hancock Park.

Description

Step back in time and discover the mystery and wonder of the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles, CA! This iconic site is home to over a million Ice Age fossils, making it a must-visit for history buffs, families, and curious minds. Walk along bubbling tar pits, marvel at life-size replicas of mammoths, and explore an indoor museum filled with prehistoric artifacts. The La Brea Tar Pits offer a unique window into life from thousands of years ago–it's not just a museum; it’s a time capsule waiting to be explored.

Located in Hancock Park within the culturally rich Miracle Mile area, just 4 miles from the Natural History Museum, the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum is one of the world's most famous fossil sites. As the gateway to the Ice Age, it features the only ongoing urban Ice Age excavation in the world. Discover how the La Brea tar pits have preserved a complete record of different plants and animals from 50,000 years ago to today.

Visitors can witness scientists at work at active excavation sites and in the Fossil Lab, where paleontologists meticulously clean and prepare fossils for study. The Pleistocene Garden showcases native vegetation from 10,000 to 40,000 years ago, while the Mammoth and Mastodon exhibit offers life-sized replicas and real fossils of these ancient giants. Don't miss the Observation Pit, one of the original excavation sites, where you can get an up-close view of the tar pits and learn about the history of fossil discoveries in Los Angeles.

Explore this geological heritage site and dive into the fascinating stories of extinct animals. Book your visit to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum today!

Promotional Images (8)

The silhouette of a woman looking up at a large collection of dire wolf skulls with orange lights behind them at the La Brea Tar Pits.

Close up of a tar bubble with trees and the sky reflecting off it at the La Brea Tar Pits.

Several people wearing blue latex gloves removing dust and dirt from a large fossil.

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is located at 5801 Wilshire Blvd • Los Angeles, CA 90036

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Frequently Asked Questions about La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

Where is the La Brea Tar Pits?

The La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are located in the heart of Los Angeles, California, within Hancock Park. The tar pits are part of the larger Miracle Mile area, a culturally rich section of the city known for its museums, including the adjacent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

Is parking available onsite?

The museum has an on-site parking lot at the corner of Curson Avenue and 6th Street, directly behind the museum. Parking fees for this lot can only be paid by credit card. Enter from the western side of Curson Avenue. Please do not park along Wilshire Boulevard between 7–9 am and 4–7 pm (Monday–Friday) to avoid getting ticketed or towed. This applies even if you are parked at a meter.

Is the museum suitable for children?

Yes! The museum is family-friendly. Plus, children ages 2 and under get in free. Don't forget to select a free ticket for them.

Is the museum ADA accessible?

All museum exhibits and theaters are wheelchair accessible. Enter through the main entrance on the south side and follow the path using the pedestrian gate by the ADA-accessible parking in the museum lot. Wheelchair rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To rent, leave your driver's license or any government-issued ID. The museum features accessible parking and restrooms, closed-captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and ASL interpretation (available with at least 2 weeks advance request).

Can I bring a pet into the museum?

No, sorry. Only ADA-defined service animals are allowed in the museum.

How many pits are there?

Over 100 fossil "pits" have been excavated since the early 20th century, with about a dozen yielding significant fossils. Five fenced areas, including the Lake Pit, are scattered throughout Hancock Park.

Is it really tar?

No, the black gooey substance bubbling to the surface is actually asphalt.

Is there a souvenir shop onsite?

Yes. You can purchase souvenirs or gifts at the La Brea Tar Pits Store on site.

Are food and drinks available at the museum?

No, but nearby restaurants and food trucks on Wilshire Blvd. and the surrounding area offer outdoor dining or take-out, so you can enjoy a picnic in Hancock Park