Rancho La Brea

Rancho La Brea is a natural site containing several tar pits where natural asphalt has preserved the bones of extinct animals over thousands of years. The property spans roughly 4,400 acres and includes an active museum and research facility where scientists continue to extract and study specimens.

The property was granted as a land concession to Mexican owners in 1828 by local officials. Over the following decades, the tar pits became one of the richest sources of Ice Age animal remains anywhere in the world.

The museum on the grounds displays fossils and lets visitors watch paleontologists work in the lab. People come here to understand how nature preserved these ancient creatures in asphalt.

The site is open year-round and visitors can join guided tours or explore the grounds on their own. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and walkways vary in difficulty.

Among thousands of animal skeletons preserved in the tar, researchers found just one human skeleton dating to roughly 10,000 years ago. This rare discovery provides insights into the earliest people who lived in this region.

Location: Los Angeles County

Inception: 1828

GPS coordinates: 34.07000,-118.30000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:07