"An Uncommon Destination" Homer by RickinDutch

Homer Travel Guide: 148 reviews and 367 photos

The End of The Road

Homer really is the end of the road, at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, and about a 6 hour drive from Anchorage. The drive itself is worth the trip as you head south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm on the Seward Highway, climb over Moose Pass, take a right on the Sterling Highway and pass through the towns of Cooper Landing, Kenai, Soldotna, Anchor Point, Ninilchik, Clam Gulch and finally crest the ridge and look out over Homer.

Homer is nestled against the Kenai range and on the shores of Kachemak Bay - a huge bay that you can't see the end of from town.
The town itself is hard to pin down as it stretches for miles along the ridge parralleling the bay. Businesses are intermixed with private homes thoughout town. Downtown is roughly whithin the triangle formed by the Kenai Highway, Pioneer Ave and Main Street.

The main focus of Homer is the spit, a naturally formed 4.5 mile long gravel strip that extends out into the Kachemak Bay. All along are shops, fishing charter shacks, the harbor, a lagoon chock full of king salmon and at the very tip, Land's End Resort. The famous Salty Dawg Saloon is nearby as is the ferry terminal. Along the right side as you head the spit are rustic camping spots filled equally with summer workers and visitors. Camp here from more than a week and you earn the coverted title "Spit Rat".

Top Ten Small Town in America

Map of Kenai Peninsula

Frommer's Budget Travel just named Homer one of the top ten small towns in American in their April, 2006, edition which nudged me to get to work on my Homer page. We drove down here often when we lived in Anchorage, partly because of the great drive, and partly for the charm of Homer itself. The residents of town seem to be made up of equal parts artisans, red necks, fishermen, and writers - which can make their city council meetings long and painful. Lots of diverse viewpoints trying to create their sense of paradise.

Great Views

View from Mary's Deck

One thing that always attracted us to Homer was that just about every home has a view of Kachemak Bay and the mountains beyond. We have several friends living in Homer and they each have a view to die for. You just want to settle down on their decks and contemplate something deep.

Last visit to Homer: Sep 2005
Intro Updated Mar 25, 2006
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Reviews (4)

The Salty Dawg Things to Do (3)

Sorry, but you can't claim to have been to Homer unless you spend a few hours at the Salty Dawg. I've put it in the... more travel advice

King Salmon Fishing from Shore! Things to Do (3)

About 20 years back the city fathers (and mothers) came up with the idea of stocking the old barge landing area with... more travel advice

Fishing Charters Things to Do (3)

Since Homer is the self declared "Fishing Capital" of Alaska there are no shortage of boats to charter. Just stroll... more travel advice

A Great Place to Stay Hotels (1)

The hotel is located at the very end of Homer's 4 1/2 mile spit with dramatic views of Kachemak Bay and the mountains... more travel advice

Comments (3)

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eugini2001 Sep 5, 2010 at 5:57 PM

The nature is so beautiful! Very nice page!!! My God daughter moved there and I’m planning to visit her this Christmas? Or should I do it in the summer? What do you think?
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Jim_Eliason May 6, 2008 at 5:38 AM

Nice page!
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nomada Jun 7, 2006 at 10:26 AM

Great writing of yours and photos ! I just drove through Turnagain Arm, really worth it !