FISH TO FESTIVALS: Scenic coastal village full of reasons to visit.
Homer is promoted as a halibut hot spot, but there's plenty more to this end-of-the-road community than big fish. Homer boasts a robust smorgasbord of offerings for visitors and is a jumping-off point for a myriad of outdoor and sight-seeing opportunities.
Outdoor recreation
In addition to Homer's bike trails, nature walks and beaches, this community is just a water taxi ride away from some of the most beautiful hiking, camping and kayaking opportunities in the world. Kachemak Bay State Park and the many businesses and nonprofit organizations that cater to the outdoor enthusiast are waiting to launch your adventure. Wildlife tours are also abundant, with flightseeing and boat trips available to see wild brown bears, elusive birds and a wide variety of sea life.
Fish
Homer is home to a fleet of charter boats waiting to fulfill your halibut dreams. This white flatfish grows to weigh hundreds of pounds, but wise fishermen know the smaller fish are better eating. The Homer Halibut Derby rules have changed this year too, with tagged fish, not the biggest fish, now being the lure. Salmon is also a popular fish, with good catches both from Kachemak Bay and local rivers.
Art
Homer is more than a fishing town -- its beauty has attracted creative people who have generated to a vibrant arts scene with many galleries and a monthly First Friday art event. In addition, area music festivals and concerts during the summer offer everything from classical to reggae.
A deeper look
Want to learn more about the southern Kenai Peninsula? Homer has a museum with an excellent exhibit about the history of the people and place. In addition, the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center takes visitors beyond the shores of Kachemak Bay to experience virtually the remote regions of the Aleutian and Pribiloff islands.
Attractions
Kachemak Bay State Park
Some 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, beaches and waterways make up this extraordinary resource on the south side of Kachemak Bay. Trails range from easy day hikes to challenging mountain-ridge traverses, and state cabins are available for rent. Access is via water taxi, air charter or boat rental from Homer, and several local businesses offer guided hikes as well as kayak trips.
WHERE: Alaska State Parks, Kenai Area Office, 35850 Lou Morgan Road, Sterling
WHEN: Open daily year round
COST: Free
PHONE: 907- 262-5581
WEB: www.alaskastateparks.org
Pratt Museum
This natural history museum features "Kachemak Bay: An Exploration of People and Place," an exhibit which uses individual accounts in various to tell the larger story of the area's natural history, Native cultures, traditions and homesteading, among other themes. In the summer, there are several live camera feeds running, including to the remote Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park where brown bears are often visible.
WHERE: 3779 Bartlett Street, Homer
WHEN: May-September, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
COST: $8 with discounts
PHONE: 907-235-8635
WEB: www.prattmuseum.org
Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center
Wander through this massive exhibit hall and you will be transported to the sights and sounds of the remote Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, an area rich in marine wildlife and history. Movies on different topics are shown regularly throughout the summer, and events and special exhibits for all ages are presented as well.
WHERE: 95 Sterling Highway, Homer
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend
Call or check website for spring, fall and winter hours.
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-235-6961
WEB: islandsandocean.org
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
If you want to learn more about the marine and coastal ecosystems of Kachemak Bay, this center is for you. Many programs and guided tours as well as educational resources and environmental stewardship efforts are sponsored by the center, with comprehensive listings available online. The Petersen Bay Field Station on the south shore of Kachemak Bay offers rewarding educational opportunities for school groups and summer visitors.
WHERE: 708 Smokey Bay Way
WHEN: Daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day
COST: Tours, $120 adults, $80 kids under 12; $170 for combination tour;
$5 for harbor tour
PHONE: 907-235-6667
WEB: akcoastalstudies.org
Anchor River State Recreation Area
Located on the most westerly point on the U.S. Highway System, this recreation area is set in one of the state's richest fishing areas. The Anchor River supports runs of king, silver and pink salmon, as well as Dolly Varden and steelhead. The popular king salmon run begins in late May, and silver fishing begins in late July. Feisty steelhead are fished into October. Camping areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $10 per site. Boat launches are also available from the beach for $60, though that amount drops to $55 per launch for those who buy the 10-launch packet for $550..
WHERE: Anchor Point Beach Road, Anchor Point
WHEN: Open seasonally
COST: Various fees for parking, camping and boat launching.
Phone: 907- 262-5581
WEB: www.alaskastateparks.org
Salty Dawg Saloon
Arguably Homer's most colorful bar, this local landmark was originally Homer's post office, and a lighthouse was added to the original cabin to cover a water storage tank. This establishment is a popular stop for visitors and fishermen alike, with many patrons choosing to add a personalized dollar bill to the collection lining the walls.
WHERE: Homer Spit Road, Homer
WHENn: 12-8 p.m. with variations
COST: no admission fee
PHONE: 907-235-6718
WEB: saltydawgsaloon.com
EVENTS
Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby
This year, the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is switching it up. Gone are the days of trying to land the biggest fish. Pulling up the biggest fish turns out to be a bad biological idea, and anyway, those fish serve a better purpose making more big fish then they do on the dinner table -- those big fish are mushy, anyway. The details are still being worked out as to how the new derby will be run, but there's talk of a big-dollar fish as well as many more tagged flatfish out there for the catching. One things for sure: You can't win unless you buy a ticket.
You can buy the tickets at derby headquarters on the Homer Spit or from local charter offices, B&Bs and stores in Homer.
WHERE: Leave from and return to Homer Harbor
WHEN: May 15 to Sept. 15
COST: $10 daily; 10-day ticket for $75
PHONE: 907-235-7740
WEB: homerhalibutderby.com
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
Each spring, birders migrate to Homer to see the many species that pass through the shores of Kachemak Bay on their way to Alaska nesting grounds. The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival is an opportunity for birders to indulge their passion further with a weekend of activities and events. This year's keynote speaker will be George Archibald, co-founder and senior conservationist with the International Crane Foundation. This is also the festival's 20th anniversary, so expect an extraordinary celebration.
WHERE: Homer
WHEN: May 10-13
COST: Varies by event
PHONE: 907-235-7740
WEB: homeralaska.org
Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Festival
Homer and wooden boats are intrinsically linked, and a festival in the second week of September celebrates that. Events include a film night, sea chanteys and tall tales, a wooden boat show, a children's boat building and painting event, keynote speakers and rowboat races.
WHERE: Homer
WHEN: Sept. 14-16
COST: Varies by event
PHONE: 907-235-2986
WEB: kbwbs.org
Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference
This annual conference features nationally recognized fiction, nonfiction and poetry writers presenting in workshops, readings and panels.
WHERE: Land's End Resort, Homer
WHEN: June 8-12
COST: $350 and up
PHONE: 907-235-7743
WEB: writersconference.homer.alaska.edu
KBBI's Concert on the Lawn
Two days of music and festivities are held on the baseball fields above Homer, offering a panoramic view of Kachemak Bay. Food and craft booths are also available. Bring a blanket and your dancing shoes.
WHERE: Karen Hornaday Park, Homer
WHEN: July 28-29
COST: To be determined.
WEB: www.kbbi.org/COTL.html
