Sur La Brea Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Sur La Brea Park, located in the state of California, is a popular destination with a variety of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

This summary is based on information verified across multiple independent sources.

Reasons to visit Sur La Brea Park:
1. Natural Beauty: Sur La Brea Park boasts stunning natural scenery, including picturesque landscapes, rolling hills, and vibrant flora and fauna.
2. Outdoor Activities: The park offers a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, nature walks, picnicking, and bird-watching, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts and families.
3. Historical Significance: The park holds historical importance as it is home to the world-renowned La Brea Tar Pits, which have been actively yielding fossil discoveries for over a century.
4. Educational Opportunities: Sur La Brea Park features museums and exhibits that provide visitors with valuable insights into prehistoric life, showcasing impressive fossil collections, including mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves.

Points of interest at Sur La Brea Park:
1. La Brea Tar Pits: The tar pits are a unique natural phenomenon where asphalt seeps have trapped and preserved countless animal remains, offering a glimpse into the area's prehistoric past.
2. George C. Page Museum: Located within the park, this museum displays an extensive collection of fossils found at the tar pits, providing interactive exhibits and educational programs.
3. Lake Pit: This pit is a popular spot for observing ongoing excavation and fossil recovery efforts, where visitors can witness firsthand the ongoing scientific exploration of the tar pits.

Interesting facts about Sur La Brea Park:
1. The tar pits at Sur La Brea have produced over one million fossil specimens, making it one of the richest sources of Ice Age fossils in the world.
2. Some of the most notable discoveries include the near-complete skeletons of mammoths, dire wolves, saber-toothed cats, and various bird species.
3. The tar pits formed around 40,000 years ago when oil seeped to the surface, trapping animals that came into contact with the sticky asphalt.

Best time of year to visit:
The best time to visit Sur La Brea Park is during the spring and fall seasons when temperatures are moderate and comfortable. During these months, visitors can enjoy pleasant weather for outdoor activities and exploration. However, it is important to check the park's website or local visitor information for any seasonal events or special closures that may affect your visit.

Please note that it is always recommended to consult official sources and websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information before planning your visit to Sur La Brea Park in California.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks