La Brea Tar Pits: Ice Age Fossils and Excavation Tour

Uncover Ice Age mysteries at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Watch paleontologists excavate fossils and explore an active dig site. Discover saber-toothed cats, mammoths, dire wolves, and more!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • La Brea Tar Pits and Museum - Gain entry to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum with your general admission ticket. This site is where Ice Age fossils are actively being unearthed in the heart of Los Angeles.
    Delight in this exceptional attraction by exploring everything it has to offer. Be amazed by the outdoor Lake Pit, with its bubbling tar; journey…
What's Included
  • Excavator Tour
  • Pit 91 Access
  • Atrium Access
  • Pleistocene Gardens
What's Not Included
  • Souvenir photos (available for purchase on-site)
  • Ice Age Encounters show and 3D Film (tickets are available on site when you arrive)
Additional Information

Explore the wonders of one of Los Angeles’ most intriguing sites: the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum with this admission ticket. Delight in this extraordinary experience that reveals the local secrets of the Ice Age. Tour an active Ice Age excavation site and observe paleontologists as they unearth millions of fossils right before your eyes. From seeing…

Location
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(198 Ratings)
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Maggymuffin
Apr 1, 2026
What a cool experience! - I heard from several Los Angeles natives that they had never gone because “what is exciting about a tar pit?” Well…if you enjoy history and want to see where fossils were found and see actual skeletons and fossils and a neat 3D’movie of past animals then for sure go! We were fascinated and loved the educational experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Crocetta_s
Feb 19, 2026
Nice outing in LA area - This was a nice short outing. The museum is small, but very well done. And the tar pits outside were very interesting too. We learned a lot and enjoyed it.
Review provided by Viator
Stevel269
Feb 10, 2026
A tale of two parts, a free park area and a paid museum. - Not as big as you would think and the tar pits themselves as part of a public park area that is free to access. The museum is value for money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Myra_b
Dec 28, 2025
Small museum, but a big... - Small museum, but a big experience. We were impressed with the collection, organization, and the friendly and helpful staff.
Review provided by Viator
Ladytravelersgroup
Apr 4, 2026
Great visit - The museum was informative and small enough to keep the attention span of elementary aged children.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amanda_b
Mar 22, 2026
Unclear where to park. A... - Unclear where to park. A lot of fences blocking areas and unclear pathways to the entrance. Paid for experience with a tour and notified on arrival that tour wasn't available that day. It would have been nice to know that ahead of time. Staff were amazing, friendly, an knowledgeable. Plenty of time to view, read, learn and ask questions. Fascinating. Would recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Allie
Apr 11, 2026
Incomplete information - The additional excavator tour is already free with admission and is only at 2:00 (not disclosed in Viator “deal”. The tar pits themselves are great, and the museum definitely worth it. Consider just buying tickets through their website.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabeth
Jan 14, 2026
Nice little museum - The museum itself isn’t very big. It’s interesting for sure, but I thought there would be more to it. They have a nice 3D movie and you pay extra for that. It was a beautiful day to walk outside to see the tar pits too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valerie_w
Dec 28, 2025
More interesting with a tour guide. - Overall, the experience was fine, but you sold us a ticket for a tour on a date when they were not offering tours because it was the holiday, and all of the staff was off that provides the tours. You might want to double check with the activities that you’re offering to make sure what you’re offering is even available on the dates you’re offering it.
Review provided by Viator
Asia_expats
Nov 24, 2025
Bad information, missed the Excavator Tour - The booking process was easy, but no times were given for the tour. When I inquired through a chat I was told to “come anytime, but they close at 5”. Turns out the Excavator Tour is only available at 1pm daily and we just missed it,
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $18
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).