La Brea Tar Pits Los Angeles Travel Guide

The La Brea Tar Pits sit in the heart of Hancock Park, a mid-city green space in Los Angeles surrounded by the Miracle Mile district. The site is one of the world's most productive urban paleontological dig sites, where naturally occurring asphalt seeps have been trapping and preserving animal and plant remains for more than 50,000 years. Visitors can walk among active excavation pits while researchers work to unearth fossils from dire wolves, mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and thousands of other Pleistocene-era species.

The adjacent Page Museum — operated by the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County — houses a large portion of the more than three million fossils recovered from the pits. Exhibits include reassembled skeletons, a glass-walled paleontology laboratory where visitors can watch scientists clean and catalog specimens in real time, and interpretive displays explaining the chemistry of the asphalt seeps.

Because the tar pits are an active research site, the experience blends public parkland with working science. The outdoor grounds are free to walk through, while the Page Museum charges admission. Verify current admission fees and hours at the official Natural History Museums of LA County website before visiting.

Visas: La Brea Tar Pits is located in Los Angeles, California, USA. Entry requirements depend on your nationality. For guidance, check the TravelerPulse Visas section and the official US Customs and Border Protection website.

What to bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes — the outdoor grounds include gravel paths and uneven surfaces around the seeps.
• Sunscreen and water, especially in summer when temperatures can exceed 90 °F (32 °C).
• A light jacket for cooler mornings in winter and spring.

Accessibility: The Page Museum and main outdoor pathways are generally accessible for wheelchair users, but verify the current status of specific areas on the official site, as excavation work can temporarily affect paths.

Photography: Outdoor areas are freely photographable. Check museum policy for indoor photography restrictions, which can change.

The tar pits are located at Wilshire Boulevard and Curson Avenue in the Miracle Mile neighborhood, roughly midway between downtown Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

By Metro: The Metro B Line (Red) stops at Wilshire/Western, from which local buses run westward along Wilshire Boulevard. The Metro Purple Line extension under construction will eventually add a closer station — verify current service with Metro LA before your visit.

By Bus: Multiple Metro bus lines serve Wilshire Boulevard and stop within a short walk of the site. The DASH Fairfax route also serves the area.

By Car: Street parking on surrounding blocks is metered. There is a paid parking lot adjacent to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which sits directly across the street. Rates and availability vary — verify locally.

Ride-share: Drop-off on Curson Avenue or Wilshire Boulevard is straightforward and a practical option given parking costs in the area.

The Page Museum

The centerpiece of the site, the Page Museum displays thousands of Pleistocene fossils, including complete skeletal mounts of mammoths, mastodons, and the iconic saber-toothed cat (Smilodon fatalis). The Fishbowl Laboratory — a glass-walled working lab inside the museum — lets visitors observe paleontologists preparing specimens. Admission is charged; verify current pricing and hours on the Natural History Museums of LA County website.

Outdoor Tar Seeps and Observation Pits

Several active seeps are visible throughout Hancock Park at no cost. Pit 91, one of the longest-running active excavations in the world, is typically open for public observation during summer months, though seasons and schedules change — confirm before visiting. The iconic fiberglass mammoth sculptures in the lake near the museum entrance make for a memorable and widely recognized landmark.

Project 23

This large-scale excavation, which began when construction of an underground parking garage discovered fossil deposits nearby, yielded 16 fossil deposits now excavated on-site. Portions of this ongoing work may be viewable depending on the phase of research.

Hancock Park Grounds

Even outside museum hours, the park itself is a pleasant urban green space for a walk. The tar seeps are visible year-round, and interpretive signage explains the geology and fossil record without requiring a museum ticket.

There is a small café inside the Page Museum; verify current operating hours as food service availability can change. The surrounding Miracle Mile and Fairfax districts offer a wide range of dining options within a short walk or drive.

Nearby options to explore:

• The stretch of Fairfax Avenue north of Wilshire has delis, bakeries, and casual restaurants, including several longstanding Jewish-style delicatessens reflecting the area's cultural history.
• The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax — about a 10-minute walk — is a well-known indoor-outdoor market with dozens of food stalls ranging from Cajun to Thai to traditional American.
• The Grove, adjacent to the Farmers Market, has chain restaurants and sit-down dining if you prefer familiar options.

Note that food and drink are generally not permitted inside the museum galleries. Consume any snacks before entering or in designated areas.

Emergency services: Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies anywhere in the United States.

Nearest hospitals: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is located nearby on Beverly Boulevard. For non-emergencies, urgent care clinics are available throughout the Miracle Mile and surrounding neighborhoods — search locally for current options.

Connectivity: Free public Wi-Fi is available inside the Page Museum. The surrounding area has strong cellular coverage from all major US carriers.

Luggage storage: There is no dedicated luggage storage at the site. Large bags may not be permitted inside the museum — verify on the official website. Lockers may be available; confirm locally.

Best visiting strategy: Arrive at opening time to avoid afternoon crowds, especially on weekends and during school holiday periods. A combination visit pairing La Brea with LACMA across the street makes efficient use of a full day in the Miracle Mile corridor.

The tar pits and surrounding Hancock Park are generally safe for visitors during daylight hours. Hancock Park is a well-trafficked public space in a stable mid-city neighborhood.

Physical hazards: Stay on marked paths around the seeps. Asphalt tar is a real and active substance — it can be extremely difficult to remove from clothing and shoes, and in some areas the ground near seeps may be soft or sticky. Do not attempt to touch the tar or step near the edges of seep areas.

General urban awareness: As with any urban park in a major US city, be mindful of your belongings, avoid leaving valuables visible in parked cars, and stay aware of your surroundings after dark.