Southcentral Alaska, the home of most of Alaska's population, could also be considered Alaska's playground.
This diverse region includes rugged coast with fertile bays and fjords, two national parks, agricultural lands, oil and natural gas fields, forests, glaciers, and lakes and streams that are spawning grounds for salmon and other species.
The region runs from Canada to the western shore of Cook Inlet and from the Alaska Range south to the Gulf of Alaska.
The largest city is Anchorage, with a population of 260,000, which is about 40 percent of the state's population. Most of the state's largest businesses are based there, and the city is Alaska's cultural, shopping, medical and transportation hub. The towns of Eagle River and Girdwood are part of the Municipality of Anchorage.
South of Anchorage is the Kenai Peninsula, where the popular destinations of Homer and Seward sit. The Matanuska-Susitna Valley, including Palmer, Wasilla and Talkeetna, is to the north of Anchorage.
Prince William Sound and its towns of Cordova, Valdez and Whittier are along the Gulf of Alaska coast.
Wildlife
Sharp-eyed visitors will often see a lot of wildlife: black and brown bears, moose, Dall sheep and caribou. Whale watchers in Prince William Sound and in the Gulf of Alaska keep their eyes open for humpback, killer and gray whales. In Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm, pods of beluga whales swim close to shore.
Bald eagles are common year round, and May's warm weather heralds the arrival of millions of migratory birds: loons, trumpeter swans, ducks and geese.
Outdoors
Popular summer outdoor pursuits include cycling, fishing, camping, golf, hiking, sea kayaking, and river rafting. Local guides and stores provide information and equipment. In addition, there are glaciers to see, by boat, by plane and by car.
The winter brings cross-country and downhill skiing, snowmobile riding, ice skating and the nighttime viewing of the northern lights.
Around the region
Southcentral Alaska itself is divided into four regions, all of which can be reached by car:
- Anchorage: Alaska's largest city and its suburbs. This Delaware-size city includes mountainous Chugach State Park.
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough: Sprawling Mat-Su Borough north of Anchorage contains Palmer, Talkeetna and the fast-growing town of Wasilla, where the Iditarod sled-dog race really starts. This popular salmon-fishing area was named after the Matanuska and Susitna rivers and is sometimes known as "the Valley."
- Kenai Peninsula: World's largest salmon swim up the Kenai River, and other salmon and halibut lurk off the shores at Seward, Homer and the city of Kenai. Kenai Fjords National Park is adjacent to Seward. The Peninsula is south of Anchorage, between Cook Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska.
- Prince William Sound: Valdez, Cordova and Whittier sit along the shore of this gorgeous area of fjords, glaciers and islands. The road to Whittier goes through the nation's longest highway tunnel. Nearby is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The Sound is southeast of Anchorage.
Parks and public lands
Southcentral is also home to two national parks, a national forest, three national wildlife refuges and two very large state parks:
Hotels and dining
A broad range of accommodations -- hotels, B&Bs, lodges and hostels -- is available throughout Southcentral Alaska. Some large chains have hotels in Anchorage and coastal towns. Major credit cards are accepted.
Restaurants run the gamut from fast-food chains to fine dining. The cuisine mirrors what's found in the Lower 48. Specialties include seafood such as halibut and salmon. Wildlife meat such as moose and whale can't be sold, although reindeer (or domesticated caribou) is sometimes available.
Getting around
Southcentral Alaska has a good highway system, in addition to service by planes, trains and ferries.
Cars, SUVs and RVs can be rented in Anchorage, Seward and several other towns. Roads between the area's cities are asphalt, and both gas and diesel fuel are readily available. Daily bus service is available between the larger cities.
The Alaska Railroad, headquartered in Anchorage, has two main runs: south to Seward (4.5 hours one way) and north to Denali National Park (8 hours) and Fairbanks (12 hours). There are also shorter excursions.
Jets link Anchorage to cities outside the state as well as to far-flung destinations in the state, such as Barrow, Nome, Fairbanks, Juneau and Kodiak. Propeller planes provide service to smaller cities. Float planes deliver many anglers, hunters and bear viewers to the wilderness.
Climate
Summers are pleasant in Southcentral Alaska, with high temperatures reaching the 70s. Clear skies are most common in the spring and early summer.
In the six months of winter, hundreds of inches of snow falls in the coastal mountains. Anchorage, however, averages less than 60 inches per winter. Snowfall can be expected from October to April.
Southcentral Alaska has 24-hour light at the beginning of summer (a combination of sunlight and twilight). The longest day in Anchorage is 19.5 hours of sunlight. In the winter, the shortest day is 5.5 hours long.
Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm have one of the greatest tidal ranges in the world, about 30 feet between low and high tides.
Military might
Anchorage has Elmendorf Air Force Base, Fort Richardson and Kulis Air National Guard. The Coast Guard has installations at Cordova, Homer, Kenai, Seward and Valdez.
