La Brea Tar Pits and Museum preserve the historic La Brea Tar Pits, which are located near Hancock Park in Los Angeles. The natural asphalt pits are a National Natural Landmark, best known for their trapping of animal remains from the Pleistocene era, including saber-tooth cats and mammoths. Though indigenous tribes in the region used the tar pits for boat construction purposes, the pits were not excavated until the early 20th century, when mining activity brought significant amounts of fossils to the surface. Today, many of the fossils uncovered at the site are preserved at the adjacent George C. Page Museum, including animal, rodent, insect, mollusk, and plant remains dating back as far as 38,000 years ago.

5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, Phone: 213-763-3499

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.