Segways and Ice Age fossils, in one spin. This 2-hour La Brea Tar Pits Segway tour is a fun mix of real Pleistocene bones and practical training, so you spend less time worrying and more time looking. I especially like the way your guide ties the science to what you’re seeing, from mammoths and saber-tooth cats to how the tar was used long ago.

Two things that make this stand out: the guided narration and the built-in photo moments by reconstructed Ice Age scenes. One possible drawback to know upfront: there’s no hotel pickup, and you’ll also need decent fitness since you must be able to climb stairs without assistance.

Key things to know before you go

• A 30-minute Segway orientation gets you moving before the main sights
• Actual bone material from famous Ice Age animals is part of what you’ll see
• Museum Row stops along the way help you place La Brea in modern Los Angeles
• Guides who explain LA context with real enthusiasm (Jose gets high praise)
• Rain or shine operation, so plan for weather even if the sky looks unsure
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 100 travelers on the tour

A two-hour Segway time machine at La Brea Tar Pits

Los Angeles has plenty of museums. La Brea Tar Pits is different. The big draw here isn’t just that it’s old. It’s that the site preserves a bizarre chapter of Ice Age life right under the city.

On this tour, you’ll roll from central Los Angeles on a Segway, guided the whole way. You’ll get narration, water and small snacks, and a chance to see bones tied to creatures from roughly 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. That’s deep time, delivered in a format that feels easy to enjoy.

You’ll also get a smart pacing choice: morning or afternoon departures. And based on how far in advance people tend to book, it’s wise to lock in your slot sooner rather than later.

Start at Another Side Of Los Angeles Tours and get your Segway bearings

Your meeting point is Another Side Of Los Angeles Tours, 1080 S La Cienega Blvd #108, Los Angeles, CA 90035. The tour is designed to start with a 30-minute Segway orientation, plus your helmet and basic safety setup.

This part matters more than it sounds. A guided Segway experience only works if you can handle the machine without stress. The orientation is your buffer, and the narration afterward helps you shift focus from learning balance to actually enjoying the sights.

The tour also has clear physical limits. Minimum age is 8. Riders must be able to climb stairs without assistance, and there’s a 250 lbs (113 kg) maximum weight. If you’re pregnant, you aren’t allowed to participate, and the tour runs rain or shine.

The group size cap is 100 travelers, which generally keeps things organized. Still, it’s a busy LA environment, so show up with time to check in and get fitted.

Cruising the Miracle Mile area: LACMA, Petersen, and Urban Light

One of the underrated perks here is that you don’t just go straight to tar and fossils. Your route takes you through the Miracle Mile / Museum Row area along Wilshire Boulevard, near both the La Brea Tar Pits and major cultural stops.

You’ll spend time oriented to the modern city too. The tour includes stops associated with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Petersen Automotive Museum, both on Museum Row. Then there’s Urban Light, LACMA’s famously photographed installation made of historic streetlamps from the 1920s and 1930s.

Why this is valuable: it gives you contrast. La Brea is Ice Age Los Angeles. Urban Light is modern Los Angeles turned into a landmark. Seeing both in the same trip helps your brain connect eras instead of treating the tar pits like an isolated weird science project.

If you love LA’s film-world mythology, this is also where your guide’s storytelling often lands well. In past experiences with Jose as a guide, guests highlight how he explained behind-the-scenes details about the film industry while pointing out lesser-seen corners along the way. That kind of narrative makes the ride feel like a conversation, not a lecture.

La Brea Tar Pits: the science you can actually see

Now for the reason you’re here: the La Brea Tar Pits. This is one of the world’s most famous Ice Age fossil excavation sites, and the tour is structured around getting you close to the heart of it.

You’ll see actual bones from prehistoric animals. Creatures mentioned include mammoths, mastodons, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, ground sloths, the North American lion, and even the short-faced bear. You’ll also encounter other Ice Age species in the same story of extinction and preservation, with the site known for ongoing excavations.

Here’s what makes the tar pits so fascinating: asphalt rises from the ground naturally and traps animals. Over time, the site becomes a record of what lived here and what the environment preserved. When you look at the bones in person, the age stops being an abstract number and starts feeling real.

The narration is key because it turns the collection into cause-and-effect. Your guide talks about the tar pits’ history and also includes how early settlers used tar from the pits for building materials and fuel. That’s not just trivia. It helps you understand why the tar pits mattered beyond science, long before today’s visitors arrived.

Another detail worth appreciating: the tour presentation emphasizes seeing actual bone matter rather than only fossils. That wording may sound technical, but it shapes how you view the material. You’re not just admiring a museum display; you’re witnessing what the excavation story is built on.

Ice Age photo ops: reconstructed scenes you’ll want to stop for

The tour isn’t all science. It also has those big, fun visual moments.

You’ll have photo opportunities in front of reconstructed Ice Age scenes. That’s a smart approach for people who learn visually or simply want to capture the feel of what lived here. Instead of only looking at bones in a sterile way, you get a sense of how the animals might have appeared in their environment.

This is also where the Segway format helps. A walking-only version of this kind of site can feel like a sprint between viewpoints. With the Segway, you can slow down for photos without feeling like you’re falling behind the group.

Just remember: you’re riding a machine and stopping on uneven public space. Go with the flow, take your photos during your guide’s cues, and keep the whole process safe and simple.

How the guide turns facts into a story (and why it matters)

This tour lives or dies on the quality of your guide. The best part isn’t just that they know facts. It’s that they explain them in a way that makes you look closer.

In one standout example, Jose earned praise for knowledge about Los Angeles history, plus a kind, easygoing style. Guests also noted he pointed out hidden spots and added insider perspective on how the film industry works. That combination is ideal for a city like LA, where history, pop culture, and science all coexist within a short ride.

Another frequently praised theme is how guides make the Segway feel straightforward. People come in thinking it will be tricky. The tour format supports you with orientation first, then guides you through what to do next. You’re not left to guess.

The result: the science doesn’t stay trapped in the bones. It becomes a narrative you carry while moving through LA.

Included perks: snacks, water, and narration that keeps you on track

This tour includes the essentials that help it feel smooth and value-minded.

What you get:

• Professional guide narration
• 30-minute Segway orientation
• Use of a Segway and safety equipment (helmet)
• Bottled water and small snacks

Those small items matter more than they seem, especially on a 2-hour outing. Water keeps you comfortable. Snacks prevent the usual mid-activity energy dip. And narration is what ties everything together so you don’t just see “cool stuff,” you understand why it’s cool.

Also, the tour ends back at the starting point. That keeps your plans simple. You don’t have to figure out a separate end location or transportation puzzle afterward.

Price and value check for $169 per person

At $169 per person, you’re paying for a lot more than entrance into one site. You’re paying for:

• a guided Segway experience,
• the orientation time,
• equipment use (including helmets),
• and the narration that connects the stops.

Is it budget? Not really. But it is a clear-value structure if you compare it to doing this kind of day by piecing together transport, entry tickets, and a guided explanation on your own. The Segway element is also doing real work here: it reduces walking fatigue while still letting you stop for bones and photos.

The fact that the tour is around 2 hours helps value too. It’s long enough to feel substantial, but short enough that it fits into an LA schedule without stealing your entire day.

If you’re the type who likes hands-on, visual sightseeing and you want an LA story that goes beyond typical landmark checklists, this price starts looking reasonable.

Who this La Brea Tar Pits Segway tour fits best

This tour is best for you if:

• you want a fun way to see Ice Age bones without being stuck in a long museum-only format,
• you like guides who connect history to the world you’re living in now,
• you’re comfortable trying a Segway with training provided.

It’s a tougher match if:

• you can’t meet the stair climbing requirement,
• you’re pregnant (not allowed),
• or you’re sensitive to weather since the tour runs rain or shine.

Age and body limits are also part of the decision. Minimum age is 8. Your weight limit is 250 lbs (113 kg). Service animals are allowed, and the maximum group size is capped at 100.

And if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want to plan for waivers. Riders 8 to 15 must have a parent present to sign a waiver and accompany them. Riders 16 to 17 need a parent present to sign a waiver, but they can ride without parental accompaniment.

Should you book this La Brea Tar Pits Segway tour?

I’d book it if you want your LA day to feel different: part science site, part city ride, part easy adventure. The combination of Segway instruction, bone-focused La Brea access, and guide narration is a strong mix for people who like both learning and having fun.

Skip it if you don’t want to ride a Segway, need hotel pickup (this one doesn’t include it), or you can’t meet the physical requirements like climbing stairs without assistance. And if weather worries you, remember it runs rain or shine, so bring your best attitude for LA’s changing sky.

If that sounds like your kind of outing, you’re likely to enjoy the pacing and the payoff: ancient animals made present, with enough modern LA context to keep it all feeling connected.

FAQ

How long is the La Brea Tar Pits Segway tour?

The tour runs for about 2 hours.

Is there Segway training before you start sightseeing?

Yes. You get a 30-minute Segway orientation before riding around the site.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Another Side Of Los Angeles Tours, 1080 S La Cienega Blvd #108, Los Angeles, CA 90035.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the original meeting point.

What are the age and weight limits?

The minimum age is 8 years. The maximum weight is 250 lbs (113 kg).

Are pregnant women allowed on the tour?

No. Pregnant woman are not allowed to participate.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. Tours operate rain or shine.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Included: professional guide narration, 30-minute orientation, Segway and safety equipment (helmet), plus bottled water and small snacks. Not included: hotel pickup and drop-off.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time.

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