At 5801 Wilshire Boulevard in Hancock Park, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum brings Ice Age fossils and active paleontology into central Los Angeles. Walk the grounds to see fenced asphalt seeps, then go inside for mammoth and saber-toothed cat fossils, interactive exhibits and a wall displaying more than 400 dire wolf skulls. You may also see researchers working with fossils in the lab or at excavation areas. The outdoor grounds are free to visit, so you can see the pits and enjoy the lawn without entering the museum.
A fossil site in Hancock Park
La Brea’s asphalt seeps trapped animals over thousands of years, preserving their remains. Mammoths, saber-toothed cats and dire wolves are among the Ice Age animals found here. Fossils uncovered at the site help explain the wildlife of the Los Angeles Basin in the past.
The pits remain part of an active research site. Outside, you can walk among fenced areas where asphalt seeps reach the surface. Some excavation areas are still being worked, and visitors may be able to see paleontology in progress. The research continues in the museum’s fossil lab, where scientists clean and repair bones.
Fossils and exhibits inside
The indoor museum presents fossils found at La Brea alongside exhibits about the tar pits and the animals preserved in them. Look for mammoth and saber-toothed cat remains, as well as the display of more than 400 dire wolf skulls. Interactive exhibits give younger visitors ways to engage with the Ice Age material.
The museum is compact enough to tour at a relaxed pace. One pass through the exhibits can take about an hour; add time for the outdoor grounds and any film or scheduled programming available during your visit. The theater and programs are noted as part of the museum experience, but availability can differ, so check current details before planning around them.
Walking the grounds
The outdoor area gives you a closer look at the asphalt seeps and the setting of the excavation work. The pits are fenced, and the asphalt can have a noticeable smell when you are nearby. The grounds and tar pits are free to walk through, whether or not you buy museum admission. There is also a lawn where you can pause for a picnic.
Families can pair the outdoor walk with the indoor fossil displays, but keep children close around the pits and do not touch or disturb the asphalt. If you want to make a longer day of it, other museums are within walking distance. Parking at the site is limited, so include time to find another option if you plan to drive.
Perguntas frequentes
Can you see the La Brea Tar Pits for free?
Yes. The outdoor tar pits and grounds are free to visit. The indoor museum charges admission.
How long should you spend at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum?
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the museum and grounds. The indoor exhibits alone can take about an hour.
What can you see inside the museum?
Exhibits include Ice Age fossils such as mammoths and saber-toothed cats, interactive displays and a wall showing more than 400 dire wolf skulls.
Can you watch scientists working at the site?
You may see researchers working in the fossil lab or at excavation areas. Availability can differ during a visit.
