More than 3 million fossils of plants and animals trapped in muck have been retrieved from these tar pits, and they are recognized for having the largest collection of extinct Ice Age artifacts in the world. Some date from 40,000 years ago. A visit to the viewing station at Wilshire Boulevard and Curson Avenue is free. Guided tours are offered Wednesday-Sunday at 1 pm. You can go next door to watch fossils being cleaned in the paleontology lab at the Page Museum Laboratory. There are also exhibits of Ice Age animals and a film presentation. Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5 pm, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10 am-5 pm. Museum admission US$7 adults, US$4.50 seniors and students, US$2 children ages 5-12. Free the first Tuesday of the month. Parking is US$6 in the Page Museum lot with museum validation. 5801 Wilshire Blvd. (Museum Row), Los Angeles. Phone 323-934-7243. http://www.tarpits.org.
