La Brea Tar Pits
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (213) 763-3218
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
Editorial Review for La Brea Tar Pits – by Margaret Griffis
Features
Most of the year, the pits seem like innocent water-filled pools. However, the exhibits demonstrate the harsh truth about the formation of the tar pits and the animals that became mired in them. Thousands of animal bones and plant remains show how the climate in Southern California has changed over the past 40,000 years. Featured are saber-toothed cats, mammoths and a 9,000-year-old woman. During late summer, outdoor excavation pits reveal how the bones are recovered.
The Appeal
The Page is a traditional science museum that doesn't need all the fancy gadgetry of more modern learning centers to grab a visitor's attention. After all, this is the only collection of goop-covered bones in the world. Prepare for the crowds--when the excavation pits are open, even hardened Angelenos find time to visit the park.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
know Before You GoTechnically, what oozes out of the ground is asphalt, not tar. But tar stuck. In fact, it stuck twice: La brea is Spanish for "the tar," so the La Brea Tar Pits literally translates into "the tar tar pits."
User Reviews for La Brea Tar Pits
05/13/2008 Posted by ivanova
Very interesting to see, kid friendly, but kind of small. I took my 3 yr old daughter there and we both enjoyed it especially after the exhibit we got to walk around the grounds and she was running up and down the hills around the museum. Overall a fun and educational experience.
Pros: educational, fun, nice grounds
Cons: small
10/31/2007 Posted by netter1
As a child growing up in LA during the 60's-70's, the tar pits were fascinating...a glimpse into the wonderful world of imagination. Through the eyes of a cynical, fatalistic teenager, they were simply a ridiculous representation of having the wool pulled over my eyes...especially when you saw fast food garbage sinking into the ooze. As an adult...and now that they've been cleaned up quite a bit...I think I can appreciate the fact that they represent a historical look into how our planet once existed. For me, the tar pits are simply another exhibit on Museum Row. It's interesting for about 5 minutes...and then I move on to the great museums within walking distance.
Users Like You Also Viewed
Flight 001
8235 W Third St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Claudia Milan
1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
