Keyhole Arch Solstice Sunbeams, Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California, USA

Solstice sunbeams

While West Coast Christmases are seldom white with snow, nature finds other ways to get in the holiday spirit here in the Golden State. A landmark of the Big Sur region south of Monterey, California, Keystone Arch puts on a seasonal light show each year. Peaking in late December near the winter solstice, the effect occurs when the setting sun lines up just right with Keystone's through-cut sea cave—as permitted by the persistent NorCal winter fog.