Keyhole Arch during a cloudy sunset

We visited Pfeiffer Beach two evenings in a row to try photographing the sun through the arch. The first evening was overcast, but we wanted to look it over anyway, knowing we'd be trying again the next day. The clouds actually added an element we hadn't planned on photographing, but the texture was amazing. There was only about 4 photographers at the beach this evening.

Photo taken with Samsung a52 ISO 640, f2.2, 1/24 sec., 1.74 mm focal length

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!

Keyhole Arch at Sunset, Big Sur, California, December 4, 2023

 We heard about this phenomenon over a year ago and were looking forward to seeing and photographing and videographing this effect for ourselves. During the winter season, the setting sun lines up with the opening in Keyhole Arch, a sea arch at Pfeiffer Beach in the Big Sur area. We checked on the azimuth of the setting sun during the dates that were recommended in an online article from a couple of years ago and then checked with timeanddate.com to see when the sun would be setting at that same angle before the winter solstice.

We ventured to Pfeiffer Beach on December 3, 2023, but the skies were cloudy and only saw a white glow through the arch from the sun. The next day December 4th was clear and we were able to see the setting sun cast this fiery glow through the arch.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story.