La Brea Tar Pits
Park Urban fossil site with asphalt seep preserving Pleistocene fossils
Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits expose asphalt seeps where Ice Age fossils are excavated; the onsite museum displays mammoth and saber-toothed cat finds and active paleontology labs.
The La Brea Tar Pits are a series of natural asphalt seeps in Hancock Park, central Los Angeles, that have trapped and preserved animals and plants from the late Pleistocene. Excavations have yielded a large assemblage of fossil material, displayed and interpreted at the on-site George C. Page Museum.
Exposed tar pools and prepared specimens illustrate the paleoecology of southern California up to around 10,000 to 50,000 years ago, including cold- and warm-adapted species. The site combines open excavation pits, conservation laboratories and museum exhibits so visitors can see active research alongside mounted skeletons.
Scientific work on the pits has been continuous since the early 20th century with major institutional collecting and research programs established in the mid-1900s; many significant Ice Age specimens were identified and described from these collections. Pit 91 is a notable long-term excavation area that has produced numerous large fossils.
The tar pits and the Page Museum are located in Hancock Park in the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles, California, adjacent to Wilshire Boulevard and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
- Fossil collection: More than a million fossil specimens have been recovered from the asphalt seeps, including large mammals such as mammoths, dire wolves and saber-toothed cats that lived during the late Pleistocene.
- Public access features: The site is an urban fossil locality inside Hancock Park in central Los Angeles with visitor-facing labs and windows showing active paleontological work.
What to See #
- Page Museum: The George C. Page Museum houses fossil mounts and displays that interpret the tar pit deposits and the animals recovered from them.
- Excavation pits and labs: Active excavation pits and preparation laboratories at Hancock Park expose ongoing fossil recovery; Pit 91 is a long-running excavation area where specimens are still recovered and studied.
How to Get to La Brea Tar Pits #
La Brea Tar Pits and the George C. Page Museum sit in Hancock Park at 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles (intersection of Wilshire Blvd and La Brea Ave). Public transit: take Metro Rapid 720 or local 20 along Wilshire and alight at La Brea/Wilshire (about a 2-5 minute walk), or use local buses serving La Brea Avenue (for example bus routes that stop on La Brea). By car it’s about 4-6 miles (6-10 km) west of downtown Los Angeles depending on route; there is on‑site/nearby parking and short walks from the street to the tar pits and museum.
Tips for Visiting La Brea Tar Pits #
- Go early on weekday mornings when school groups and weekend families are least likely to be visiting; the adjacent George C. Page Museum opens earlier than surrounding attractions, letting you see exhibits with fewer people.
- Start inside the George C. Page Museum to watch conservators at the Fossil Lab through viewing windows and to learn about ongoing excavations before walking the outdoor tar pits and exhibit panels.
- Access the park from the museum entrance on Wilshire Boulevard and follow the short paved loop to see active seep sites-many visitors stay only in the museum and miss the open-air pools and explanatory signage.
Best Time to Visit La Brea Tar Pits #
For fewer crowds, go on a weekday morning; summer and weekend afternoons are the busiest times at the La Brea Tar Pits.
Weather & Climate near La Brea Tar Pits #
La Brea Tar Pits's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 28°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 80 mm of rain.
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March
March is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain.
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October
October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain.
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November
November is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
