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Classic · Nature

Keyhole Arch 2026: Pfeiffer Beach, dates and times

Big Sur, California

Next date UTC−8

Keyhole Arch, Pfeiffer Beach

What happens

The axis runs at 240° from north: the setting sun falls into it while its height is between 3.0° and 6.0°. Outside that band the alignment does not close.

Next dates

Local times at the site (America/Los_Angeles).

  1. 16:31 UTC−8

    Window 12 November 2026 – 29 January 2027 · holds 79 days

  2. 16:32 UTC−8

    Window 12 November 2027 – 29 January 2028 · holds 79 days

  3. 16:32 UTC−8

    Window 11 November 2028 – 28 January 2029 · holds 79 days

  4. 16:32 UTC−8

    Window 11 November 2029 – 29 January 2030 · holds 80 days

  5. 16:31 UTC−8

    Window 12 November 2030 – 25 January 2031 · holds 75 days

Where to stand

Viewpoint: Beach NE of the arch · Big Sur, California
36.23900, -121.81480

Lined up with Keyhole Arch, 0.13 km away. Look towards 240° from north. It works across an area around this point, not only from the exact spot.

Good to know

Single-lane dirt road, about $10 entry, 10 to 40 photographers. At low tide there are no reflections: check the tides.

No source gives the hole’s azimuth: the window is fitted to the photographers’ dates. The geometry is symmetric about the solstice, so early December is as good as early January even though custom says January.

Dates for 2026–2030, worked out by Duskbox’s own astronomy engine: the sun from NREL’s SPA, the moon topocentric, both with atmospheric refraction.

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