Place of interest ·

Pitch Lake

Pitch Lake, in La Brea, is a natural asphalt deposit shaped by geological processes, industrial extraction and local stories. Visiting takes advance planning and a guided route.

Natural asphalt surface with fissures and water at Pitch Lake, La Brea
Photo by Martina Jackson Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
The place

What makes it special

  • An active asphalt deposit with cracks and hardened areas whose appearance can change.
  • Guides can explain the deposit’s geology and the history of asphalt extraction.
  • Local narratives include stories associated with Indigenous peoples.
Travel atlas

Articles in Pitch Lake

Guides to this place

1 article
journal.travel Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 07/10/2026