La Brea Tar Pits

The La Brea Tar Pits are natural tar pits located in the middle of downtown Los Angeles which formed tens of thousands of years ago. The La Brea Tar Pits is a registered National Natural Landmark and contains some of the best preserved fossils from the Pleistocene prehistoric era from creatures that became trapped within the tar.

Common prehistoric animal fossils that have been excavated from the tar pits include dire wolves, mastodons, and saber-toothed cats. The La Brea Tar Pits is a popular attraction for any history buffs who like to discover what life was like in Los Angeles  40,000 years ago during the ice age.  The George C. Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries, adjacent to the tar pits, houses over 3 million total items and is currently behind the excavation of Project 23 which will essentially double the number of fossils already discovered since 1906.

New discoveries are being made weekly, so come visit the La Brea Tar Pits and see what they’re digging up today!

Contact La Brea Tar Pits

(213) 763-3499