Complete Guide To Homer, Alaska
Homer is the land of the indigenous community called the Alutiiq.
There are so many things that make this little town so special and make it a place to visit. The long strip of land otherwise known as “The Homer Spit” is a unique part of the town filled with restaurants, shops, fisherman and plenty of surface area to beachcomb and walk along with water with snow capped mountains in the background.
Homer Spit
WHERE TO EAT
Although you can find a great list of restaurants on this article of Eater, I will talk about my experience with the 3 restaurants I think are absolute winners and a must if you have limited time.
The Saltry- The entire experience of going to the Saltry makes it one of the most unique restaurants in Alaska. The Saltry is located in Halibut Cove, across Kachemak Bay from Homer and you have to take a water taxi to get there. You will board a restored antique fishing boat as they take you on a small tour across the bay stopping at rock structures to point out different species of birds, also giving you the opportunity to see otters and many other sea creatures! How many restaurants can you say you’ve had to take a boat across a beautiful bay surrounded by mountains to get there? Not to mention the fresh and local seafood you will also get to experience. Once you dock in Halibut Cove, you will be escorted to the restaurant for either lunch or dinner. There is usually time allocated after to peruse Halibut Cove and check out the local art gallery of coffee shop. One of my favorite aspects of The Saltry is how the building is constructed right along the cliff giving it a more natural feel. The owners created the table tops with broken plates and there’s plenty of local art to browse through either before or after your meal. The boardwalk around Halibut Cove is so beautifully decorated and on a clear day you can see the Chugach Mountain Range that circles Kachemak Bay.
(They are particularly strict about using their water taxi company to get there unless you are already staying in Halibut Cove for lodging. This restaurant also books up very quickly so it’s important you request a reservation as soon as you can. Once they confirm your reservation, then you will be prompted to book your water taxi).
Finns Pizza- Now I know Fat Olives gets all the reputation for being THE pizza spot in Homer but I dare you to venture down the spit to this adorable seaside pizza joint. The rustic exterior with the beautiful view of the mountain range is what sold me. Whether you want to stop in for a quick bite or make a reservation to sit up top with an even better view, I feel pretty strongly about Finn’s pizza being a strong competitor with Fat Olives. It is placed very inconspicuously along the spit, I happened to stumble upon while walking on the boardwalk as the deck and dining is all behind the building!
Two Sister’s Bakery- there’s a reason the line for this bakery can be 30 minutes on a weekend. Not only is the coffee delicious, but the pastries are phenomenal, and there’s plenty of options for any craving you have. I also loved exploring this little corner of Homer with rustic bookshops and art galleries.
WHAT TO DO
Beachcombing on the spit- Now I grew up in Florida so even with my endless walks on the beach, I could have spent hours walking the beaches in Homer. From the interesting shell & sea glass you will cross from the mountain views, you won’t get bored. Alaska weather can be tricky so sometimes it can be very cloudy, blocking your views of the mountains. Late afternoon the clouds can burn off which is why your view is ever changing on your walk with the variability of the clouds.
Sea Kayaking- If you want a low impact activity out in nature, this is the perfect adventure. Getting the chance to see beautiful mountains and wildlife, with a guide you can explore beautiful nooks and crannys of Kachemak Bay. Here is a company that you can book your tours with.
Fishing- Homer boasts the nickname “Halibut Capital of the World” if you need any reason to want to try fishing while you’re in Alaska. Homer makes for an easier fishing adventure due to it’s proximity to great fishing spots allowing the boat ride out to deep sea only 30 minutes. Not only do you have the opportunity to fish for halibut but also salmon, rockfish, cod and other species you may be interested in. I personally loved my Halibut fishing experience as we got to also explore the small town of Seldovia once we had all caught our Halibut limit. If you want to bring the fish home, most companies have shipping arranged to make sure your fish can be shipped home and still arrive frozen. Click here for a great resource for finding a fishing charter out of Homer!
Hike Kachemak Bay State Park
As always, please practice “Leave No Trace” while hiking. All of Alaska is bear country so be prepared so you and the wildlife can have a safe and good time! Be sure to plan a little ahead for hiking since you will have to book your water taxi over to Kachemak Bay State Park. During the summer months, water taxi services are very busy. Below is a list of some water taxi companies
Mako’s Water Taxi 907-235-9055
Ashore Water Taxi 907-235-2341
Bay Excursions Water Taxi 907-235-7525
Coldwater Alaska 907-299-2346
Alan’s Water Taxi 907-235-5680
49 North Alaska 907-235-7590
Central Charters & Tours 907-931-4777
Sunrunner Water Taxi 907-299-2157
The water taxi companies can help with planning your excursions as far as drop off and pick up times since they have a lot of experience with that. I also suggest using AllTrails to help with choosing a hike that sounds suitable for you! My two favorite hikes were Grewigk Glacier and Grace Ridge trail. Grewigk Glacier is a very easy day hike out to a lake that leads up to the end of Grewigk Glacier. The lake can sometimes be filled with beautiful ice chunks that have broken off from the glacier. You can definitely spend 3 hours or less here unless you want to make it an all day adventure with a picnic near the lake. Grace Ridge is definitely one of the tougher trails in Kachemak Bay State Park. Some hikers will start at one point and end at the other to have the water taxi pick them up at a different location because it is a tough trail. Make sure to bring enough water and snacks if you are day hiking!
HOW TO GET THERE
You can either rent a car in Anchorage and drive the Seward and Sterling Highway which is about 4 hours and 15 minutes one way, or you can fly into Homer from Anchorage. This article provides resources on which airline to fly if you aren’t doing the road trip! If you decide to do the road trip you will have endless viewpoints to stop and enjoy the scenery so the 4 hours can fly by!
WHERE TO STAY
Airbnb & VRBO- there are plenty of beautiful cabins overlooking the mountains to choose from through these websites. I recommend staying in the Homer bluffs so you can have the beautiful view overlooking Kachemak Bay.
Halibut Cove- If you are looking for a quieter get-away, Halibut cove is the coziest little corner of Kachemak Bay. With a population of less than 100 people, you definitely get your peaceful experience away from the crowds that typically stay on the spit. Because Halibut Cove is across the Bay from Homer, you will have to take a water taxi to get there. This eclectic town has a quaint art gallery, coffee shop, and of course The Saltry is located here in Halibut Cove. Here are a few lodging accommodations you can look into if this interests you! Most of the lodging companies will have kayak rentals or other adventures available for you to help plan your trip.
https://www.halibutcovecottages.com/
