'''Homer''' is on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral Alaska.

Get in

Flying is the best way to get in during the winter, with hourly flights from Anchorage on Era Aviation, and Grant Aviation. During the Summer months, A drive from Ancorage along the Seward Highway is well worth it. The senery is breathtaking and it will give you a chance to visit some of the smaller towns on the kenai peninsula that cant be visited by plane.

Get around

There isn't a public transportation system to speak of in Homer so your options come down to walking, riding a bike, hitching a lift or renting a car. There are 3 car rentals in Homer. Hertz, Adventure Alaska, and Polar. Hertz and Adventure Alaska also have rentals in Anchorage so if you want to rent a car in Anchorage and drive to Homer you can drop your car off and fly back to Anchorage. Anchorage is the main city in Alaska where all flights form outside the state end up. From there you fly or rent a car and drive to the next town. Homer is a 40 minute flight from Anchorage or a 5 hour drive.

By foot

Distances as with most places in America are fairly large but there are good footpaths all around Homer and if you are fit walking can be a great way to see and get a feel for the town. You can rent bicycles at Homer Saw and Cycle.

See

  • '''Homer Spit''', Open all year, however shops at the end of the spit generally close around mid September and re-open in April). A massive spit built out into the middle of the bay that claims to be the further west that is accessible via road on the north American continent. Spectacular wildlife can be seen along the spit being well known for the flocks of bald headed eagles that nest and feed there. A walk from the start to the end of the spit will take around an hour. A walk along the beach is a beautiful way to see the spit but be careful of the tide as the beach isn't always accessible at high tide.
  • '''Skyline Drive''', Open all year, is a beautiful way to see the spit from above (it's actually where most of the postcard photos come from). It is an easy 5 minute drive up a windy road to the lookout up the top, however walking up the road will take you about 45 minutes but provide you with lots of opportunities to stop and marvel at the surroundings (traffic is low and there are plenty of places to step out of the way of cars and trucks).
  • '''Across the Bay''', Kachemak Bay State Park - The jewel of Alaska, Kachemak Bay State Park is the first and largest of the Parks in the state. Inhabited by wildlife on land, in the air, and in the ocean, there is so much to see and do here that one could spend a lifetime exploring around. Mountain goats grace the cliffs of remote and beautiful Sadie Cove from the entrance and up to the wilderness lodge of the same name on the South facing shore. Black bears live high in the mountains and can also be seen in the springtime on the shores of the Park searching for the first foods of the new season. Bald Eagles fly above and in the ocean there are seals, sea lions, humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sea birds, and more.
  • The Park has a plethora of well maintained hiking trails for the novice as well as the experienced hiker. Many guides in Homer offer adventure trips and the wilderness lodges offer an experience second to none for adventure luxe. To get to the Park a person can hire any one of many water taxis from Homer and enter a new world away from the chaos of civilization. We recommend Red Mountain Marine at 907-399-8230 because they have a vey nice classic wooden boat and very knowledgeable, pleasant, accommodating, and courteous skippers. Owned by Tom Hopkins of Homer, Alaska.

    Do

  • '''Public Library''', has free internet access (although they have a donation box) with a signup sheet waiting list.
  • Take a water taxi across the bay to Kachemak Bay State Park for great hiking. Make sure to check out the lake with a glacier at the end.
  • Buy

    Eat

    Finn's Pizza is on the spit. It has a nice view of the water from the back deck. Great pizza and local beer.

    Drink

    The Salty Dawg Saloon on the spit is a colorful place to get a beer, including Homer Brewing's beers, made in town.

    Sleep

    As with most accommodation in Alaska it is best to ring ahead and book a place a few nights in advance during the spring, summer, autumn (fall) tourist season.

  • Alaska's Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge. alibut Cove. cross Kachemak Bay from Homer. 907) 296-2217. ww.ridgewoodlodge.com. pm. 0 am. 375 - $400. Alaska_fs Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge One of Kachemak Bay_fs finest Wilderness Lodges in Halibut Cove PO Box 659 Homer, AK 99603 (907) 296-2217 ridgewoodlodge@homernet.net www.ridgewoodlodge.com

    Hello,

    We would like to introduce ourselves to you. We are Kevin and Lucinda, and Bowman and Jessica Sidelinger, the owners and hosts of Alaska_fs Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge, a full-service destination lodge in Halibut Cove, Alaska. Halibut Cove is located 8 miles across Kachemak Bay from the end of the Homer Spit. The Cove is also the home of the Saltry Restaurant, Diana Tillion_fs Cove Gallery and the Halibut Cove Experience Gallery.

    We have lived adjacent to the Kachemak Bay State Park for over 32 years. For the last 16 years we have made our living oyster farming. Our oyster farm is one of the leading producers in the state of Alaska, and in 2007, Kevin was one of three finalists for the Global Food Award.

    The timber-framed lodge was designed and built by Kevin and has a 10 guest capacity. We are open year around. Included in the reservation cost is use of lodge facilities, rooms with private baths, high-speed wireless internet, house keeping and complimentary laundry services. All meals are served by your hosts.

    Alaska_fs Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge is what Alaskan fantasy is all about. We are an ideal destination for experiencing Alaska in luxurious comfort as well as having countless adventurous activities readily available. Guests will share in a positive and energetic Alaskan lifestyle with four truly _gseasoned_h Alaskans.

    Lucinda and Jessica would be happy to help arrange any activities guests are interested in, which include brown bear photography, trophy salmon and halibut charters, fly-fishing for rainbow trout, hiking, bird-watching, and many more.

    If you are interested in making reservations at our lodge, please contact us for further information or for setting up a complimentary visit.

    We invite you to check out our website at www.ridgewoodlodge.com

    Thank you for taking the time to learn about us.

    Kevin & Lucinda, and Bowman, Jessica & Talon Sidelinger

    </sleep>

    Budget

  • '''Homer Hostel''', 304 West Pioneer Ave., 907-235-1463, [http://www.homerhostel.com/]. A small (sometimes cramped) but friendly hostel on the outskirts of town around a 30 minute walk away from the Homer Spit. The hostel is located in a historic house with bunks that are a bit wobbly but perfectly fine, however upstairs has a large glass window that lets lots of light in during sunrise (in late spring, summer, early autumn) so if you aren't an early riser get a bunk downstairs. USD $23-$70 (including tax). Bunks in a shared room ($23), Private Rooms for 1-5 people ($50-$70).
  • Get out