All About Homer, Alaska
About Homer
Map of Homer, Alaska
Sections
Nestled among rolling hills and overlooking Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains, this seaside
community has 5,400 residents and another 8,000
beyond the city limits. In addition to the downtown
area of Homer, a unique attraction is the Homer
Spit, a long, narrow finger of land jutting 4.5
miles into Kachemak Bay.
The Spit is home to our
harbor and over 700 charter and commercial boat
operators year round, growing to 1,500 in the summer
months. Homer offers all the amenities of a small,
first class city, including a hospital, medical
clinics, pharmacies, police and fire departments,
and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter for safety at sea.
Local, state and federal government offices operate
here, as does the Kenai Peninsula College and a
senior citizens center.
People have inhabited Kachemak Bay for
thousands of years, drawn to its abundant, diverse
land and marine animals and relatively mild climate.
In the 1800s, homesteaders and coal miners made up
the area's population and Homer became a booming
'company town until the demand for coal diminished
in the early 1900s.
Some years later, the commercial
harvest and processing of fish became the mainstay
of the local economy, and lead the growth of Homer
into the commercial and transportation hub of the
Southern Kenai Peninsula. Today, Homer's economy
relies on commercial fishing and the growing tourism
industry.
While in or around Homer you could see moose
grazing, a black bear crossing the road, puffins,
seabirds, soaring eagles, sea otters, porpoises,
Young hikers high in the mountains across the Baykiller whales, porcupine, harbor seal, beluga
whales and more... and not necessarily in that
order! A drive on any of Homer's back roads or a
morning boat tour on the bay will make wildlife
viewing easy and enjoyable.
Homer is the gateway to superb outdoor Alaskan adventures. Tours are available for brown bear
viewing, guided kayak trips, hiking, seabird
rookery, flight seeing, glacier viewing, horseback
riding, claming, sailing, glacier skiing, and more!
Outfitters provide packaged or custom trips,
whatever suits your schedule!
The Annual Shorebird Festival draws visitors and
experts from around the world....Each year, hundreds
of thousands of migrating shorebirds land on the mud
flats of Kachemak Bay to rest and feed in
preparation for their continued journey north. This
spectacle is the basis for the Kachemak Bay
Shorebird Festival, a 3-day event in early May
filled with birding workshops, observation stations,
art fairs, bay cruises, keynote speakers and more.
The festival offers a unique opportunity to view up
to 25 species of shorebirds, including Western
Sandpipers, Surfbirds, Black Turnstones, Dunlins, Shortbilled Dowitchers, Whimbrels and more. For a
festival program call 907-235-7740.
Exciting adventure awaits you across Kachemak
Bay! The Kachemak Bay State Park, with over 30 miles
of trail and 375,000 acres of wilderness, provides
excellent back-country hiking, camping, wildlife
viewing, lake & stream fishing, and cabin rentals.
Or visit scenic Halibut Cove, a remote fishing and
artists village where the streets are paved with
water.
And don't miss Seldovia, where berry picking,
hiking, kayaking and mountain biking are just a few
of the activities in the town known as "The City of
Secluded Charm." Or enjoy a stay at one of the
self-supporting wilderness lodges which dot the
shores of Kachemak Bay State Park.
Water taxis, tour
boats, and air taxis are at your service to help you
experience the magic of "Across the Bay" (Listed in
the directory under Outdoor/Recreation). For State
Park camping and trails information, write to Alaska
State Parks, PO Box 3248, Homer, AK 99603
A huge rack of fresh caught halibut...Don't
forget to buy a Jackpot Halibut Derby ticket before
you head out halibut fishing. Monthly winners for
biggest fish and tagged fish caught all summer
long!! All tickets purchased are eligible in the
summer end Vacation Package drawing. The 1998 happy
Derby Jackpot winner was awarded $25,392.00 for his
321 lbs halibut!
Halibut and Salmon fishing while in Homer are
a must. Charters are available for fishing trips on
and across the bay, and salmon runs are also
accessible at the Fishin' Hole on the Homer Spit.
Please remember, fishing licenses are required for
any fishing, even clamming. For information,
regulations and licenses, see local sporting goods
stores or your charter office.
In a 2001 visitor survey, the average visit to
Homer was three days. 90% of those people surveyed
who visited Homer wish they had stayed longer. 100%
of the people surveyed said they would recommend
Homer as a destination to their friends and
relatives.
