Segway. Ice Age bones. In Los Angeles. This La Brea Tar Pits tour mixes real prehistoric remains with a guided Segway ride, so you get both the science and the fun without needing to be an expert.

I especially love how the guide tells the story of the site while you’re moving through it, and the fact that you get to see major Ice Age animals up close, including mammoths and saber-toothed cats. The second big win for me is the photo-friendly stop setup, with reconstructed Ice Age scenes that make it easy to get that let’s-pretend-we’re-there shot. One consideration: at this price point, you should be sure you’re happy with about two hours total and that museum time inside is not included.

Key highlights at a glance

• Real bone matter, not just fossil talk from famous Ice Age finds
• 30-minute Segway orientation plus helmets and safety gear
• Photo ops with reconstructed Ice Age scenes right at the site
• Museum Row route area stops near LACMA, the Petersen, and Urban Light
• Bottled water and small snacks to keep your energy steady
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 100 people

Segway + Ice Age Science in the Middle of Los Angeles

The La Brea Tar Pits are one of those Los Angeles places that feels both famous and strange. You’re standing near natural asphalt that helped trap animals long ago, and that’s why the area is known for Ice Age remains spanning roughly 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago.

What makes this experience different is the format. Instead of only walking around or reading placards, you ride a Segway with a guide’s narration. That means you can cover ground while you learn why those prehistoric animals ended up entombed in tar and how the site became such a major excavation location.

Price and value: what $169 really covers

At $169 per person for about 2 hours, the value is mainly in the package: guide narration, a dedicated Segway orientation, and the actual Segway + helmet included. You also get bottled water and small snacks during the tour, which helps more than you’d think when you’re learning a new ride and then standing around for photo moments.

Two things to keep clear in your head before booking. First, museum admission tied to the tar pits museum portion is not included in the tour listing info you provided. Second, the total time is about two hours, so this isn’t set up for a long, slow museum afternoon. It’s built for a guided highlights experience.

Where the tour starts: Another Side of Los Angeles Tours

Your tour meets at 1080 S La Cienega Blvd #108, Los Angeles, CA 90035. That start matters because it’s the place where you’ll get your Segway orientation, get fitted, and learn the basics before you head out.

There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off included, so plan to get yourself to the meeting point on your schedule. The site is described as near public transportation, which is useful if you’re doing this as part of a bigger day in Los Angeles.

The 30-minute Segway orientation: safety first, then fun

The experience includes a 30-minute Segway orientation, and that’s the practical heart of the whole tour. You’ll receive instruction on operating the Segway, and safety equipment like a helmet is provided. This is what helps make it feel doable even if you’ve never tried one before.

A few rules and reality checks are worth reading closely. You’ll need a decent level of fitness, including the ability to climb stairs without assistance, even though the tour isn’t described as physically demanding. There’s also a weight limit of 250 lbs (113 kg), and the minimum age is 8 years.

If you’re thinking about comfort, remember this: the orientation is part of the total time. That means you should treat the Segway lesson as time you’re “spending” to earn the freedom to explore the site with less walking later.

Route stops beyond the Tar Pits: Museum Row moments

Even though the Tar Pits are the anchor, the route includes stops near LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and the Petersen Automotive Museum along Museum Row. You’ll also have time for Urban Light, the well-known installation made from 202 historic streetlamps dating from the 1920s and 1930s.

In plain terms, this is a nice bonus if you’re pairing science with sightseeing. Los Angeles can feel spread out, and Segway tours are built to make those between-places moments more useful. Just be aware that these are not described as deep museum visits here. This is more about setting eyes on major sights and adding memorable photo stops to your afternoon or morning.

Arriving at La Brea Tar Pits: bones from real Ice Age life

Once you reach the tar pits area, the focus turns to the main attraction: the site’s ongoing scientific story and the remains recovered from the asphalt. This is described as the world’s famous Ice Age excavation area, and the key point is that you’re seeing actual bone matter from the distant past, not just fossils in a display case.

The animal list shared in the tour description is impressive and very “Ice Age greatest hits.” You may see or learn about remains linked to creatures such as mammoths, mastodons, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, American camels, giant ground sloths, the short-faced bear, and the North American lion. That range is part of why this site is so compelling: it isn’t one narrow storyline. It’s an entire ecosystem forced into the ground and preserved by tar.

What the guide actually helps you understand

The tour pacing is set up so the guide narration lands as you move through the site. You’ll learn the history of the tar pits as you follow along, and you’ll get context for why those animals ended up where they did. The tour also includes an explanation of how tar from the pits was used by early settlers for building materials and fuel.

That last detail is important because it connects the site to Los Angeles in a less museum-only way. You’re not only learning about Ice Age predators and giants. You’re also seeing how the environment shaped human use later on, which makes the tar pits feel like part of the region’s longer story.

Photo ops with reconstructed Ice Age scenes

One of the most enjoyable pieces of this tour setup is the built-in photo moment. You’ll get the chance to pose in front of reconstructed Ice Age scenes, which makes your pictures look more intentional than random “we were there” snapshots.

I like this approach because it reduces the work for you. You don’t have to hunt for the perfect angle or wait for the light to be just right. The tour is planned around giving you clear spots to stop, look, and take photos.

Guides who bring Los Angeles to life (including Jose)

A big reason people rate this tour so highly is the guide experience. In the information you shared, one guide named Jose is specifically mentioned for a mix of history and city insight, including pointing out less-obvious spots around Beverly Hills and explaining how the film industry works from an insider perspective.

Another review summary also highlights how a guide’s history knowledge and kindness shaped the tour. That combination matters on a Segway tour. The ride can be the novelty, but the narration is what turns novelty into a “remember this” day. If you care about explanation, not just motion, this is the right format.

Pacing reality check: how the 2 hours tend to feel

This is designed as a compact tour. You’ll have Segway instruction and safety gear, then you’ll head out to see the tar pits and related sights, with the experience ending back at the meeting point. The structure includes a 30-minute Segway orientation and a 30-minute tar pits and museum portion, based on what’s provided.

That pacing is good for most people because it keeps momentum. It can feel a bit rushed if you’re the type who likes to linger over every label and every bone. If you want a long, slow museum day, you might need additional time outside this tour.

Practical considerations before you book

Here’s what you should double-check so the day goes smoothly.

• You must meet the minimum age and waiver rules (8+; parent rules differ for ages 8–15 and 16–17 as described).
• Pregnant women are not allowed to participate.
• You need decent fitness and must be able to climb stairs without assistance.
• Tours operate rain or shine, so you should plan for weather that changes.
• The maximum group size is 100 people, which helps keep it from becoming chaotic, even though it’s still a group experience.

Also note: service animals are allowed, and the tour is in English. You’ll receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and you use a mobile ticket.

Is the tar pits museum portion included?

Your tour description says the tar pits and museum stop has an admission note marked as not included. So you should assume the Segway tour gets you narration and guided time at the site, but if you want any extra museum admission beyond what’s covered in the tour itself, you’ll likely need to plan for that separately.

Should you book this Segway Tar Pits tour?

I’d book it if you want a fun, structured way to see La Brea Tar Pits without spending your whole day either on a long walk or in a museum-only mode. The combo of Segway ride + guide narration + real bone-focused stops + reconstructed Ice Age photo scenes is exactly the kind of mix that makes a short Los Angeles outing feel “worth it.”

I’d think twice if price is your biggest constraint, if you need more than two hours of on-site time, or if you know you won’t meet the participation rules (especially the pregnancy restriction and the fitness/stairs requirement). Also, because museum admission for the tar pits museum portion isn’t included, confirm that you’re comfortable with possibly paying extra if you want deeper indoor time.

If you fit the rules and you like learning while moving, this is a strong pick for a memorable La Brea day.

FAQ

How long is the La Brea Tar Pits Segway tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours (approximately).

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $169.00 per person.

What’s included in the tour price?

Included are narration by a professional guide, a 30-minute Segway orientation, use of the Segway and safety equipment (helmet), and bottled water plus small snacks.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What is the minimum age to ride?

The minimum age is 8 years. Riders 8 to 15 must have a parent present to sign a waiver and accompany them. Riders 16 to 17 must have a parent present to sign a waiver but can ride without parental accompaniment.

Are pregnant women allowed to participate?

No. Pregnant women are not allowed to participate.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. Tours operate rain or shine.