La Brea Tar Pits Insider Tour

La Brea Tar Pits Insider Tour

Get your backstage pass to the Ice Age and dig deep into the history and discoveries of La Brea Tar Pits.

Ever pictured yourself reflected in bubbling asphalt? Wished you could meet the iconic mammoth family of Wilshire Boulevard? Now’s your chance! Sink your saber teeth into this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. 

Go back in time 50,000 years to the Ice Age with La Brea Tar Pits Insider Tour, an expert-guided tour with exclusive access to experiences that are typically limited to our scientists. Explore the only active excavation site in the world that’s located in the middle of a city–a place where dire wolves and saber-toothed cats hunted giant sloths and Columbian mammoths–and then meet the Ice Age researchers making discoveries daily. Now is your chance to get stuck in one of Los Angeles’ greatest cultural and scientific treasures.

Your tour will include:

• An up-close visit with the museum’s iconic Columbian mammoth sculptures while learning about the famous “Lake Pit.”
• Going behind the fences of one of the oldest tar pits still in existence and coming face-to-face with the bubbling tar.
• Showing off your scientist skills on real micro fossils dating at least 10,000 years ago alongside La Brea Tar Pits scientists.
• Getting an up-close, exclusive look at actual fossils discovered underneath L.A.
• Gaining a greater understanding of the century-long excavation process and cutting-edge research going on to this day.
   

Museum admission included

What to Wear:

This tour takes you behind the scenes of real excavation with plenty of asphalt and the majority of this tour will take place outdoors. Please consider the weather conditions before arriving. Please dress for the weather and wear closed-toed, suitable walking shoes. La Brea Tar Pits is not responsible for any damages to clothing that occur while on campus. 

Where to Park: 

Limited paid parking will be available in the Museum Car Park, located off South Curson Avenue, on a first-come, first-served basis for $20. La Brea Tar Pits is conveniently located near a variety of public transportation options. Please consider taking the Metro or other rideshare options.

Where to Meet: 

Check in with a Guest Relations Associate in the lobby of La Brea Tar Pits Museum. Please have your tickets either printed or ready on your mobile device to be scanned upon arrival. 

When to Meet: 

Please arrive on time. Guests arriving more than 10 minutes after their scheduled time may not be able to join all segments of the tour. No refunds will be given.

All adults age 18 and over must sign a waiver prior to beginning the tour. Anyone between the ages of 7 and 17 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.