Guide to Los Angeles' La Brea Tar Pits & Museum | Visit California
Editor's note: the La Brea Tar Pits will close on July 7, 2026, for a two-year renovation.
www.visitcalifornia.comHere are the latest notable updates on La Brea Tar Pits and Museum:
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Major renovation and new research center: The La Brea Tar Pits are undergoing a multi-year revitalization led by the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHM). A flagship element is the Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research, funded by a large private donation, which will anchor ongoing Ice Age science and education at the site. This project is part of NHM’s broader Reimagine campus renovation to improve accessibility and integrate excavation, research laboratories, and museum spaces. [Source coverage from January 2026 notes the donation and center planning as central to the overhaul.] [Relevant coverage: 2026 updates on the Reimagine project and the new research center.]
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Timeline and scope: The initial phase of improvements began with site renovations at the George C. Page Museum and nearby facilities, with a projected completion window spanning 2026–2028 in the lead-up to broader campus integration. The upgrades aim to enhance public access to active dig sites and provide clearer connections to the adjacent LACMA campus and new Wilshire/Fairfax transit access. [Public reporting from early 2026 outlines staged construction and accessibility goals.]
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Design and public experience: New architectural renderings and planning materials have shown an integrated campus approach that combines public exhibition spaces, active excavation zones (like Project 23 and Pit 91), and landscape upgrades, including the recofigured Pleistocene-era gardens and improved viewing points. The planned design emphasizes a seamless visitor journey from outdoor pits to indoor exhibits and research labs. [Architectural updates accompanying the Reimagine effort were publicized in early 2026.]
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Visitor information and closures: If you’re planning a visit, be aware that major renovations may affect access to certain areas and exhibit spaces during construction windows. The site has historically offered tours (e.g., Excavator Tour) and live dig-site views, and these experiences may temporarily adjust to accommodate construction activity. [General guidance from recent visitor resources and updates.]
Illustration: The project envisions a connected, research-focused campus where visitors can watch ongoing digs, explore the museum, and follow Ice Age science through visible labs and collaborative spaces, all within a redesigned landscape adjacent to LACMA.
If you’d like, I can pull the latest official NHM announcements or local news articles and summarize them with direct citations. I can also create a short timeline or a simple map-style diagram of the planned campus changes.