Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
29 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
29 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
29 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
29 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States California Big Sur Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach

Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach

Centuries of crashing waves carved out this small hole in the rock, which lights up at certain parts of the year.

Big Sur, California

Added By
Robert Ayers
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Robby Ayers / Atlas Obscura User
  Robby Ayers / Atlas Obscura User
  Robby Ayers / Atlas Obscura User
  Robby Ayers / Atlas Obscura User
  Robby Ayers / Atlas Obscura User
Sunlight through Keyhole Arch   qwesy qwesy/CC BY-SA 3.0
  Robby Ayers / Atlas Obscura User
  Robby Ayers / Atlas Obscura User
  Robby Ayers / Atlas Obscura User
Good timing - the Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach   Ysabet / Atlas Obscura User
13 March 2022   shaunk82 / Atlas Obscura User
13 March 2022   shaunk82 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

This Place Is a Stub

Help improve this place with additional information or photos.

Make an Edit

About

Down a narrow, one lane dirt road in Big Sur, California, lies a secluded beach hidden by large, steep cliffs. The cliffs keep a beautiful rock formation known as Keyhole Arch hidden from the hustle and bustle. Located just off Purple Sand Beach, Keyhole Arch is a natural hole carved into the rocks from the crashing waves around it. 

Every year around the winter solstice, for just a couple of days a beautiful light show happens at the Keyhole Arch. Right before sunset, the sun will dip down right in the center of the arch. On a clear evening with a low tide, the angle of the mid-winter sun allows for a stunning natural glow. The phenomena doesn't have fixed dates, but if you can be the at the right time you'll see a beautiful, magical, and rare sunset. 

Related Tags

Rocks Rock Formations Waves Sun Solstice Geology

Know Before You Go

Turn off of Cabrillo Hwy. onto Sycamore Canyon Rd. The road starts out paved but soon turns into a one lane dirt road for about two miles, passing by some houses. At the end of the road is the park parking lot with a booth, run by a private concessionaire, there is a $12 entry fee per vehicle. If the parking lot is full, it is difficult to find parking on the shoulder.

Community Contributors

Added By

Robby Ayers

Edited By

nadpete, Ysabet, shaunk82, Michelle Cassidy...

  • nadpete
  • Ysabet
  • shaunk82
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • shellywhite86

Published

June 2, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://theresonantlandscape.com/the-keyhole-arch-at-pfeiffer-beach/
  • https://www.discover-central-california.com/pfeiffer-beach-keyhole-rock.html
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10918
  • https://www.sfgate.com/outdoors/article/big-sur-pfeiffer-beach-keyhole-arch-photography-12439409.php
Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach
9100 Sycamore Canyon Rd
Pfeiffer Beach, California, USA
Big Sur, California, 93920
United States
36.238203, -121.81735
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Henry Miller Memorial Library

Big Sur, California

miles away

Nepenthe

Big Sur, California

miles away

Point Sur Lightstation

Monterey, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Big Sur

Big Sur

California

Places 4
Stories 1

Nearby Places

The Henry Miller Memorial Library

Big Sur, California

miles away

Nepenthe

Big Sur, California

miles away

Point Sur Lightstation

Monterey, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Big Sur

Big Sur

California

Places 4
Stories 1

Related Places

  • Kannesteinen Rock.

    Vågsøy, Norway

    Kannesteinen Rock

    Thousands of years of crashing waves gave this mushroom-shaped rock its svelte figure.

  • Pungo Andongo, Angola

    Black Rocks of Pungo Andongo

    These giant volcanic rocks towering above the Angolan savannah once served as a natural fortification.

  • Window arch in the City of Rocks.

    Almo, Idaho

    City of Rocks

    This U.S. natural reserve is an ancient spiritual place and rock climber’s paradise.

  • Colorful sandstone cliff just west of the Colorock Quarry.

    Moapa Valley, Nevada

    Buffington Pockets

    The rocks exposed at Valley of Fire State Park also occur in a much less known but equally spectacular area a few miles to the southwest.

  • Grampian, Pennsylvania

    Bilger's Rocks

    Rocky outcrops containing overhangs, caves, fissures, clefts, and alcoves that invite exploration and scrambling.

  • Glen Rock

    Glen Rock, New Jersey

    Glen Rock

    The 570-ton boulder that gave a New Jersey town its name.

  • Mexican Hat

    Mexican Hat, Utah

    Mexican Hat

    This balancing rock is one of Utah's most unusual geological formations.

  • Mortana, Australia

    Murphy’s Haystacks

    These oddly shaped pink granite formations got their name after being mistaken for massive piles of hay.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.