The Best Homer Alaska Guide

Welcome to Homer, Alaska, on Kachemak Bay.  Made famous as “The End of the Road” in Tom Bodett’s tales, Homer is at the end of the Sterling Highway, 200 miles south of Anchorage, surrounded by wilderness and ocean.  A home base for great fishing (“The Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”), kayaking, bear viewing, hiking, foodie and art vacations, Homer is quickly becoming known as the Eco and Adventure tourism capital of Alaska.

The Homer Spit (“spit” is a geological land form) features the longest road into ocean waters in the world, and was named one of the best 100 beaches in the United States for its incredible views and variety of wildlife along the 4.5 mile multi-use trail that runs from its base to its tip – the true end of the road on Alaska’s Highway 1.

On the city’s outskirts, the Wynn Nature Center encompasses acres of spruce forest and wildflower meadows, with hiking trails and ocean views. Across the bay, Kachemak Bay State Park has miles of trails amid mountains and glaciers, plus marine life, moose and bears. The quaint waterfront community of Halibut Cove has an extensive boardwalk and houses on stilts. Nearby, Gull Island is a bird sanctuary sheltering several nesting species, including puffins. Homer is a gateway to Katmai National Park and Preserve to the southwest, known for the many brown bears drawn to the abundant salmon in Brooks Falls.  Our Homer Alaska Travel Guide has everything you need to start planning your Homer Alaska vacation.  Also visit more great Alaska beach locations by <<Clicking Here.>>   Need to know what to pack for your Alaskan Vacation?  << Click Here >>

Homer Weather (When to Visit)

A common time to visit is May–Aug, when temperatures are mild to cool, and daylight extends late into the evening. Hiking and boating are popular summer activities. Homer is known as a fishing hub, especially for halibut. While some fishing trips run year-round, others operate Apr–Sep. Skiing, ice fishing and ice-skating are popular during the cold winter months (Nov–Mar). The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival (May) marks the annual migration with bird-watching hikes and boat excursions.

Homer Attractions

Homer Spit

With glacier-studded mountains and crystal-clear water surrounding you, the tiny businesses and miles of beaches that make up the Spit also make for one of Homer’s most beautiful features. Take long walks, take photos, check out the boats returning with their huge catches, or cast a line for salmon yourself at The Fishin’ Hole-located near the boat harbor-which is stocked with kings and silvers.  Test out your sea legs with a fishing charters for halibut and salmon, head out on a guided sea kayaking trip, or hop a ferry across the bay to the quaint boardwalk-lined town of Halibut Cove. The Spit also offers some of the best eagle viewing in the state – up to several hundred during certain times of the year! Extreme low tides (say a minus-15 foot) expose interesting sub-sea flora and fauna on beaches and harbor piers.

The Pratt Museum

The award-winning Pratt Museum is a community gathering space featuring science, art and culture. Recognized with the National Award for Museum Service and the Governor’s Award for the Humanities, the museum has garnered many additional awards including the Award for Excellence in the Museum Profession from Museums of Alaska.  The Pratt Museum hosts indoor exhibits of natural history, Native cultures, art, homesteading, quilts, fishing, and marine ecology with live aquaria. Live remote video shows pelagic seabirds at a rookery in Kachemak Bay.

Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies offers hands on Naturalist-Led experiences providing a personal connection to one of the most ecologically diverse and productive places in the world. Activities for all ages and abilities! Spend a day on a naturalist-Led full-day tour to the Peterson Bay Field Station located across Kachemak Bay from Homer. Tour groups are small and personal. Explore tide pools, coastal forest trails, birds, touch tanks & more. Kayaking and overnight stays in cozy yurts also available.

Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitors Center

A state-of-the-art center focused on marine life. Discover the wonders of marine life through interactive exhibits and enjoy naturalist-led walks to Bishop’s Beach on Kachemak Bay. Their friendly staff will offer tips on wildlife viewing, wildlife refuge information and points of interest. Join them for one of their naturalist-led walks or activities (June through August), or take a self-guided tour of the Visitor Center, featuring sculpted re-creations of wildlife and settings, and interactive stations, simulating a journey through the nation’s most far-reaching wildlife refuge.

Bishops Beach

Two blocks from Old Town at the end of Bunnell Street you will find Bishops Beach.  A picnic shelter with grills, restroom facilities, Beluga Slough trailhead, and beach combing  are just the beginning of the fun to be had at Bishops Beach.  Easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, and art galleries in Old Town, and to the Islands and Ocean Visitor center via the Beluga Slough Trail, as well as the miles of beach.

Best Homer Restaurants

AJs Old Town Steakhouse & Tavern  $31 – 50

Located in the heart of Old Town and known locally as the “Historic Waterfront”. They believe in amazing food, fun specialty drinks, and great entertainment! They value their guests and believe in goodwill and hospitality.  Telephone:  907-235-9949  Web:   AJs Old Town Steakhouse & Tavern.

The Little Mermaid  $11 – 30

They use Local ingredients and strive to make as much as they can fresh, in house and from scratch. They bring a certain passion to your table,  supporting a chain of local producers and businesses who bring that same passion to their farm, brewery, coffee roasting, distillery, and fishing boats. Telephone:  907-399-9900  Web:  The Little Mermaid.

Captain Pattie’s Fish House  $11 – 30

Welcome to Captain Pattie’s!  They hope you’ll take a look around and discover “The best seafood restaurant in Alaska!” proclaimed by Alaskans and tourists alike.  They have an extensive menu filled with fresh local caught seafood.  For those that fear the sea, they also have delicious steak and chicken entrees as well.  Telephone:  907-235-5135  Web:   Captain Pattie’s Fish House.

Lighthouse Seafood Grill & Smokehouse  $11 – 30

They serve delicious food using only the freshest ingredients sourced locally whenever possible. Their Alaska halibut fish & chips is the best around at an affordable price along with other local, delicious seafood such as salmon, shrimp and calamari. Smoke master Ralph smokes the brisket, pulled pork and ribs in the smoking shed. Telephone:  907-226-2003  Web:   Lighthouse Seafood Grill & Smokehouse.

Cosmic Kitchen  $11 – 30

Everyday they make fresh salsas, grill their marinated chicken and steak and offer a homemade soup and daily specials. Their beans, rice, sauces and most soups are vegetarian. They use peanut and canola oil.  The paper plates and napkins used at Cosmic Kitchen® are made from sugar cane and are compostible. They recycle their plastic, papers, bottles and cans.  Telephone:  907-235-6355  Web:   Cosmic Kitchen.

Best Homer Bars

The Salty Dawg Saloon

The Salty Dawg Saloon is a well-known landmark on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska.  The bar is known for the thousands of dollar bills signed by visitors and tacked to the walls. This practice started many years ago, when a visitor tacked a dollar on the wall, explaining that his friend would be by later. The dollar was intended for buying the friend a drink.  Telephone:  907-235-6718  Web:   The Salty Dawg Saloon.

AJs Old Town Steakhouse & Tavern

Located in the heart of Old Town and known locally as the “Historic Waterfront”. They believe in amazing food, fun specialty drinks, and great entertainment! They value their guests and believe in goodwill and hospitality.  Telephone:  907-235-9949  Web:   AJs Old Town Steakhouse & Tavern.

Kharacters Alaskan Bar

Best bar with an atmosphere of fun. The bartenders are great and it is very easy to make new friends. They have entertainment most nights, bands, D.J.’s, craft nights and quiz nights. Head to Kharacters and meet a few.  Telephone:  907-235-1455  Web:   Kharacters Alaskan Bar.

Alibi Bar & Cafe

They’re a great place for casual food with friends or family between 4-9pm and when it gets dark great for various entertainment every night of the week!  Telephone:  907-235-9199  Web:   Alibi Bar & Cafe.

Best Homer Hotels