Population: 5,252

Homer is located on the Kenai Peninsula on the north shore of Kachemak Bay, 232 miles by highway or 40 minutes by jet aircraft from Anchorage.

Visitor Information: Homer Chamber of Commerce, 201 Sterling Highway, Homer 99603; phone (907) 235-7740.

Homer, named for local prospector Homer Pennock, was established on the north shore of Kachemak Bay at Homer Spit in 1895. A long, narrow gravel bar jutting out more than 4 miles from shore, Homer Spit is the site of a major dock facility, Homer’s state ferry terminal and small-boat harbor. The Harbor Master’s office, canneries, parking/camping areas, charter services , small shops, live theater, galleries, dining, motels, lodges and resorts, and bed and breakfasts are also located on the Spit. The main road on the Spit is the Sterling Highway, which is also the main road through Homer.

USA Today Travel chose Homer as the “most picturesque small town in Alaska,” November 2015 and Budget Travel chose Homer as 1 of the “top 10 coolest small towns” in 2006. Homer has hundreds of small businesses offering a wide variety of goods and services. Choose from accommodations at many hotels, lodges, vacation rentals, cabins and bed and breakfasts. Camping at private and municipal campgrounds (reservations advised in summer). Dozens of restaurants offer everything from cafes to fine dining.

Homer has a post office, library, museum, laundromats, gas stations with propane and dump stations (one on the Homer Spit near the fishing lagoon and one across from the post office), banks, churches, a hospital and airport terminal. There are many fishing charter services, boat repair and storage facilities, marine fuel at Homer marina; bait, tackle and sporting goods stores; and art galleries, gift shops and groceries. Homer Spit has long-term parking and camping.

Find accommodations at the Beluga Lake Lodge, Lands End Resort, Ocean Shores RV Park, and at the Driftwood Inn & RV Park. Campgrounds with RV services here are: Bay Crest RV Park, Ocean Shores RV Park, Driftwood Inn & RV Park, and Heritage RV Park. It also has shops like NOMAR  (Northern Marine Canvas Products) and fishing charters with Bob’s Trophy Charters and Driftwood Inn Fishing Charters; sightseeing tours; and dozens of restaurants, from fast food to fine dining.

Homer a Chevron gas/diesel/propane station with convenience store and RV items, phone (907) 235-3295.

Attractions:

  • Pratt Museum’s visual, audio and interactive exhibits, web cam broadcasts, films and lectures introduce visitors to the region’s natural and cultural history.
  • Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center exhibits and films take you on a virtual tour of the 4.9-million-acre Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
    The Salty Dog Saloon on Homer Spit
  • You can’t miss the Salty Dawg Saloon on Homer Spit: It is a favorite photo op.
  • Visit Homer Spit. Fishing charter services and a variety of shops and restaurants are housed in the Spit’s unique boardwalk structures. Photograph Spit landmarks, like the Seafarer’s Memorial and Salty Dawg Saloon.
  • Go for a Homer Trolley Tour–all day pass $15.
  • Look for the Farmer’s Market in summer, Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays, between Beluga Lake and the Homer Spit.
  • The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival celebrates the arrival of 100,000 migrating shorebirds to the tidal flats of Kachemak Bay. The annual festival takes place in May.
  • Join a fishing charter to fish Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet for halibut and king salmon. Or fish from the shore of Homer Spit for king and silver salmon.