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Natural Monuments

Tar Pits Park

Natural Monuments

Tar Pits Park

Highlight • Natural Monument

Tar Pits Park

Name: Tar Pits Park
Rating: 2

Recommended by 2 hikers

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Location: Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County, California, United States

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Best Hikes to Tar Pits Park

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1. Tar Pits & Carpinteria Bluffs Trail — Carpinteria State Beach

4.39km

01:10

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

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2. Rhodes Fleming Coastal Trail – Tar Pits Park loop from Carpinteria

3.67km

01:00

50m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

5.0

(2)

hikers

3. Tar Pits Park – Carpinteria State Beach loop from Carpinteria

9.01km

02:17

20m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Sue

June 2, 2025

Tar Pits Park features some of the few natural asphalt lakes in the world. These tar pits, formed by ancient petroleum seepage, date back to the Pleistocene epoch and have preserved fossils of prehistoric creatures. Historically, the Chumash people used tar to waterproof their boats and tools. The park has been preserved and restored to its natural state, with a great path that winds throughout the grounds, popular for hiking and biking. There are several picnic tables, plenty of benches with fantastic views, a harbor seal sanctuary, and a lovely stretch of beach. Tar seeps out of the ground along the trail, beach, on the bluffs, and throughout the park and can get on your shoes. It's a good idea to bring footwear that you don't mind getting dirty when you come to explore this beautiful area.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 0 m

Weather

Monday 24 November

17°C

10°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County, California, United States

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Tar Pits Park

1. Tar Pits & Carpinteria Bluffs Trail — Carpinteria State Beach

2. Rhodes Fleming Coastal Trail – Tar Pits Park loop from Carpinteria

3. Tar Pits Park – Carpinteria State Beach loop from Carpinteria

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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