I am not sure what I had in mind coming into this, but the experience was very good even if different than expected. We waited a day to come because it says online you need tickets on limited availability to go to the "museum". What we did not know is that 75 percent of what you see is outside in the free public park area with the last 25% being inside the museum that has limited access. The tar pits themselves are interesting areas. They are spots where oil comes up from faults and interacts with surface water. They sound far more visual than they are, but there is nothing wrong with that if you manage expectations. There are multiple fenced off "pits" that show where the oil and tar have come up through the ground, but only a couple of them really look interesting - the lake pit being one as you can see big bubbles coming up through the water. The funny and interesting part is that the tar pits pop up wherever they please. There are clearly smaller areas that were fenced as something bubbled up wherever it broke through the grass or dirt, which is really interesting to realize how "live" these pits still are in the middle of developed LA. The museum itself was worth the wait an the time as it has all sorts of fossils and great exhibits that the kids really got into, so I recommend that you make sure you have time for the actual museum if this is your first visit. I don't know if this place has much repeat value unless you come for a specific event.

The Ice Age revisited! Visiting the actual tar pits dating back centuries gave a whole new perspective of the development of our planet. The pits continue to not only bubble but also to provide fossils of mammoths, saber toothed cats and so many other animals and insects. After touring the tar pits, a visit to the museum is a must. The various discoveries from the pits are put together like an intricate puzzle forming completed skeletons of the centuries old mammals and insects. It is an exciting and eye opening experience. Both children and adults will be impressed with a visit here.

This was a terrific experience. You can actually view the tar pits in the outdoor area for no cost. It is very interesting. The fossil/fact tour by Reuben was wonderful and he answered many questions. The indoor museum has a few, and it is well laid out and worth the price. Park in the public lot if their lot is full. Lots of good places to eat within walking distance. It was an enjoyable experience.

We are from the UK and were travelling around the US, when this location was recommended to us. To be honest, we weren't too sure about a visit, however we were very pleasantly surprised and glad that we did visit La Brea. The place is very interesting and informative and the walking tour that we went on (included in the admission price) with a young (to us 60 somethings) lady was really enjoyable. Thank you! You can also get re-admission on the same day with the wrist band.

This was an interesting site, I hadn’t been aware of the tar pits. Museum was closed but had wander around the park, where you can see the tar pits bubbling away and explanation of how the animals had been trapped. If passing worth a look, would liked to have seen museum.

The museum was closed during our visit so we just strolled through the tar pits, instead. There's nothing too interesting here.

It's wonderful that the La Brea Tar Pits are considered a city park and are therefore free and open to the public. The signage is informative and fascinating, as is seeing places where tar is bubbling up. It's also so interesting to see the crates of fossils and more waiting to be studied!

That was a very nice experience. The museum is very interactive and the tar pits are very interesting

This is a cool park. You can see the tar pits on your own, but they are kind of ugly. Nothing to write home about and definitely nothing to take pictures of. But fun to walk around for a bit. We came around 7pm, so we didn't go inside the museum. I think we would have had a better experience if we went to the museum, because we would have at least learned something.

Our first time visiting…also our last time. After paying $15 to park, we got our, walked around, read the signs at the various “pits” which look like ponds…some with bubbles coming up from the ground. If you’ve been to Yellowstone, this will be very disappointing to you. After walking around for about 20 minutes, we were all bored to tears, got in the car and left. We didn’t do the museum, just the tar pits, so I can’t speak to the museum but reading other reviews it sounds like that’s skip-worthy as well.

Archaeological digs with public viewing of the dig sites. There’s also a paid entry museum that you can visit while you’re visiting the premises. It’s located right next to LACMA and it’s a good spot for tourists and families to visit. Metered street parking or paid parking. The tar pits still bubble and though there’s statues of a mammoth family watching one of its members die (which made me really sad as a kid), it’s a fun way to spend an hour or two.

This park is open and free. The main tar pit is well decorated and well documented with posters and placards explaining what you are seeing. I guess I never thought about "tar oil" being so slick and sticky that when it sinks below the water, an animal who steps in can get stuck forever unless a helper assists in pulling them out. Wow. (Aside; Most of the mastodon skeletons were MALE - because they travelled alone while the females travelled in small herds. Matriarchy has its advantages!!)

The fossils were cool to see but the pits were underwhelming maybe the drought is having an affect. The Lake Pit was the best of the four. The rest looked like mud holes.

We visited the Le Brea Tar Pits in down Los Angeles this week. The Tar is actually asphalt that seeps up to the surface. The museum's displays were interesting and informative. The dig sites were also interesting. There's no charge for admission although there is a twenty dollar parking charge.

I had a little time to kill in LA last week and, despite previously living there, had never visited. Worth while and pretty interesting to check out. The sheer volume is insane.