Why Alaska by RV

Why Alaska

Alaskan Climate

Items for the RV

What to Leave at Home

Choosing an RV

Alaska RV Rentals

Caravan Tours

Alaskan Highway

RV Problems and Emergencies

North Alaska Activities

North Alaska Special Events

Nome Alaska Campgrounds

Interior Alaska Activities

Interior Alaska Special Events

Denali National Park

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks Campgrounds

Southwest Alaska Activities

Southwest Alaska Special Events

Kodiak Alaska Campgrounds

Southcentral Alaska Activities

Southcentral Alaska Special Events

Anchorage, Alaska

Homer, Alaska

Kenai, Alaska

Seward, Alaska

Seward Campgrounds

Wasilla, Alaska

Inside Passage Alaska Activities

Inside Passage Alaska Special Events

Juneau Alaska Campgrounds

Haines, Alaska

Skagway, Alaska

Alaskan Wildlife

Fishing in Alaska

Alaska Bear Safety

Alaskan Dogsled Races

Alaska's Glaciers

Getting to Alaska

Alaska by way of Canada

Enjoying Native Alaskan Culture

Insider's View of Alaska

Visiting Homer, Alaska

One of Alaska's most recognizable names, Homer is a popular destination for cruise ships traveling along the coast. Homer shares the Kenai Peninsula with many other towns of the South Central region, boasting coastal views, glacier exploration and wildlife refugees for the RV traveler.

It may be difficult to get over the seeming aesthetic perfection of Homer when you first arrive, from the picturesque mountain landscapes to the quaint downtown and water views. But once the beauty buzz wears off, Homer treats you to a plethora of restaurants, outdoor activities and cultural events that make this "end of the road" an essential stop on your Alaskan adventure.

Cultural institutions abound in Homer, with the Homer Council for the Arts leading the way in events and exhibitions. Not to be missed is the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, which hosts a music festival every summer. In conjunction with the Pier One Theater, the orchestra participates in seasonal musicals and productions, allowing the theater-lover to discover one of Alaska's hidden cultural treasures.

One of the more prestigious museums in Homer is the Pratt Museum, which focuses on natural history and education. The museum's exhibitions combine arts, culture and history, will a continued emphasis on how the people and environment of Kachemak Bay have worked together to shape the way community has developed. Plan to spend a fair amount of time at the Pratt, exploring the collections and outdoor exhibits including botanical gardens and nature trails, making it worth every penny of the $6 entrance fee.

To take advantage of the Alaska wildlife in Homer, an important stop is the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, which serves as a gateway to the Alaska Maritime Refuge Center, the largest seabird refuge in the world. The center's arts exhibits feature wildlife sculpture and photography, with many works encouraging guests to fully immerse themselves through hands-on activities.

One of the great things about Homer is that so many of their attractions are outdoors, giving you the opportunity to pull up your RV to places like the Kachemak Bay State Park and hop out for a hike along one of the many wilderness trails.

Depending on how much outdoors you'd like to experience, you can also rent a kayak and paddle through the fjords and coves along the bay. Or for a more laid-back visit, you can visit one of the park's restaurants and take a leisurely stroll along the water, keeping on the lookout for whales, sea otter, moose and even black bear, all of which reside in this important natural habitat.

Driving to Homer is as simple as driving to the end of the Sterling Highway, and Homer is also one of the stops long the Alaska Marine Highway.

Population: 5,364
Location: On Kachemak Bay at the western tip of the North American road network
Annual Precipitation: 25.45 inches
July Average: Temperature 52.8°F; precipitation 1.47 inches

VISITOR INFORMATION

Homer Chamber of Commerce
Address: 201 Sterling Hwy., Homer, AK 99603
Phone: (907) 235-7740
Website: http://www.homeralaska.org/ Email: info@homeralaska.org

NEWSPAPER

The Homer Tribune
Address: 435 E Pioneer Ave., Homer, AK 99603
Phone: (907) 235-3714
Website: http://www.homertribune.com/

INEXPENSIVE LODGING

International Backpackers Inn/Hostel
(907) 235-1463
304 W. Pioneer Ave. (near the Pratt Museum)
Website: http://www.homerhostel.com
Email: homerhostel@homerhostel.com
Cost: Bunk for $22 (including tax). They also have two private rooms available.
Facilities: They have two single sex and one coed dorm. This hostel has a fully equipped kitchen, lounge, and patio. They also rent bikes. The hostel is open 24 hours a day for its guests.
Comments: The hostel is located downtown and thus within walking distance to many of Homer's businesses and services.

Mossy's Alaska Seaside Farm and Hostel
Address: 40904 Seaside Farm Rd., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-7850 or (907) 235-2670
Website: http://www.xyz.net/~seaside/
Email: Seaside@xyz.net
Cost: Bunk for $20/night; Private room for $50/night (double occupancy); cabins for $55/night (double occupancy). You can also camp for $6/night per tent (double occupancy).
Facilities: Located on a 40 acre farm. Property goes down to the beach. Cooking facilities, bathrooms and showers. They also have a living room with books, games, TV (w/VCR), and videos. They also rent bikes.
Comments: This is a very special place. Sometimes you can trade work for lodging. Since they are located about five miles from downtown, this place works best if you have some form of transportation (car, bike, etc.).

Driftwood Inn & RV Park
Address: 135 W. Bunnell Ave.
Phone: (800) 478-8019 and (907) 235-8019
Website: http://www.thedriftwoodinn.com/
Email: driftwoodinn@alaska.com
Rates: Rooms start at $65/night.

Sunspin Guest House
Address: 358 Lee Dr.
Phone: (907) 235-6677
Rates: Rooms start at $75.
Comments: A short walk to downtown.

OTHER LODGING

Bear Creek Winery & Lodging
Address: Bear Creek Dr. (PO Box 164), Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8484
Website: http://www.bearcreekwinery.com/
Rates: See website.

The Eagle Watch Hostel
Address: PO Box 39083, Ninilchik, AK 99639
Phone: (907) 567-3905
Website: http://home.gci.net/~theeaglewatch
Rates: See website.

Heritage Hotel & Lodge
Address: 147 E Pioneer Ave., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-7787
Website: http://www.alaskaheritagehotel.com/
Rates: See website.

Homer Hostel
Address: 304 W. Pioneer Ave., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-1463
Website: http://www.homerhostel.com/
Rates: See website.

Homer Inn & Spa
Address: 895 Ocean Dr., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-1000 / (800) 294-7823
Website: http://www.homerinn.com/
Rates: See website.

Land's End Resort
Address: 4786 Homer Spit Rd., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-0400 / (800) 478-0400
Email: endofthespit@alaska.net
Website: http://www.lands-end-resort.com/
Rates: See website.

Lighthouse Village Cabins
Address: 1477 Bay Ave., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-7007
Website: http://www.lighthousecabins.com/
Rates: See website.

Surf Shack Deluxe Cabin
Address: 811 Ocean Dr. Loop, Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-7873

QUICK HOMER FACT - Known as the halibut fishing capital of the world, more than 50% of Homer's 22 square miles is actually covered in water.

HOMER CAMPING

Spit Municipal Camping
Address: 3735 Homer Spit Road
Phone: (907) 235-1583
Cost: Beach camping cost $6/night or $36 per week.
Facilities: Water and restrooms also are available.
Comments: A popular and great place to camp. Incredible views. However, it can be windy.

Karen Hornaday Park
Cost: $6/night for tents or $10/night for RV's.
Facilities: Water and pit toilets
Directions: From Pioneer Ave., go up hill on Bartlett St., left on Fairview, right on Hornaday.
Comments: A nice place to camp and is less than one mile from downtown.

Seaside Farm Hostel/Accommodations
*See the listing under Inexpensive lodging listed above.

Showers:

Public showers are available at Homer Spit Campground for $3.50 (at the end of the Split) or Sportsman Supply (by the boat ramp).

Anchor River State Recreation Area/Stariski State Recreation Area
Address: 15 Miles from Homer
Phone: (907) 262-5581
Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/anchoriv.htm
Rates: See website.

Clam Cultch State Recreation Area
Address: Mile 117.5 Sterling Hwy.
Phone: (907) 262-5581
Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/clamglch.htm
Rates: See website.

Deep Creek State Recreation Area
Address: Mile 137 Sterling Hwy.
Phone: (907) 262-5581
Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/deepck.htm
Rates: See website.

Heritage RV Park
Address: 3550 Homer Spit Rd., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 226-4500 / (800) 380-7787
Website: http://www.alaskaheritagervpark.com/

Homer City Campground
Address: At the top of Bartlett St.
Phone: (907) 235-3170
Rates: $8 for tents / $15 for RVs

Kasilof State Recreation Site
Address: 15 Miles S. of Soldotna on way toward Homer
Phone: (907) 262-5581
Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/kasilof.htm
Rates: See website.

HOMER RESTAURANTS

Captain Pattie's Seafood Restaurant
Address: 4241 Homer Spit Rd., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-5135

Homestead Restaurant
Address: Mile 8.2, East End Rd., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8723

Saltry Restaurant
Address: Halibut Cove, Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-7847 / (800) 478-7847
Website: http://www.halibut-cove-alaska.com/saltry.htm

Cafe Cups
Address: 162 W. Pioneer Ave., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8330

Fresh Sourdough Express Bakery & Cafe
Address: 1316 Ocean Dr., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-7571
Website: http://www.freshsourdoughexpress.com/

Fat Olives Restaurant
Address: 276 Olson La., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8488

Fritz Creek Store
Address: Mile 8.2, East End Rd., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-6521

Two Sisters Bakery
Address: 233 E. Bunnell Ave., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-2280
Website: http://www.twosistersbakery.net/

Land's End Resort
Address: 4786 Homer Spit Rd., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-0400 / (800) 478-0400
Website: http://www.lands-end-resort.com/

SIGHTSEEING

Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center
Address: 95 Sterling Hwy., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-6961
Website: http://www.islandsandocean.org/

Alice's Champagne Palace
Address: 195 Pioneer Ave., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-0630

Bear Creek Winery
Address: 60203 Bear Creek Dr., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8484
Website: http://www.bearcreekwinery.com/

Beluga Lake Lodge
Address: 204 Ocean Dr., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-5995

Bunnell Street Gallery
Address: 106 W Bunnell St., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-2662
Website: http://www.bunnellstreetgallery.org/

Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies / Carl E. Wynn Nature Center
Address: PO Box 2225
Phone: (907) 235-6667
Website: http://www.akcoastalstudies.org/

Duggan's Waterfront Irish Pub
Address: 120 W Bunnell St., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-9949

Homer Brewing Company
Address: 1411 Lake Shore Dr., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-3626

Homer Family Theatre
Address: 106 W Main St., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-6728
Website: http://www.homertheatre.com/

Kenai Peninsula Orchestra
Address: 315 W Pioneer Ave., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-4899
Website: http://www.kpoalaska.org/

Pier One Theatre
Address: PO Box 894, Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-7333
Website: http://www.pieronetheatre.org/

Pratt Museum
Address: 3779 Bartlett St., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8635
Website: http://www.prattmuseum.org/

Salty Dawg Saloon
Address: 4380 Homer Spit Rd., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-6718
Website: http://www.saltydawgsaloon.com/

INTERNET ACCESS

Homer Public Library
Address: 141 Pioneer Ave.
Phone: (907) 235-3180
Note: 30 minutes of free internet access per day.

Eagle Eye Photo & Communications
Address: 601 Pioneer Ave, Ste. 123
Phone: (907) 235-8525
Note: They offer hourly computer rentals and Internet access.

Tech Connect
Address: 432 E. Pioneer Ave.
Phone: (907) 235-5248
Note: They have sixteen terminals with DSL Internet access for $5/hr. Can also connect with your laptop for the same price.

Tideline Cafe
Phone: (907) 235-1406
Address: 161 Ohlson Ln. (by Bishops Beach).
Note: They offer 30 minutes of free Internet access, then charge $1 for every additional 10 minutes. They also serve up some tasty food.

FISH AND GAME

Fish & Game Department
Address: 3298 Douglas Pl., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8191
Website: http://www.adfg.state.ak.us

TRANSPORTATION

Pioneer Car Rentals, Inc. (Hertz)
Address: 3720 FAA Rd., #123, Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-0734
Website: http://www.rentalcarhomeralaska.com/
Email: hertzgo@alaska.net

CHUX Cab
Phone: (907) 235-CHUX (2489)

Homer Saw & Cycle Rentals
Address: 1532 Ocean Dr., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8406
Website: http://www.homersaw.com/

Ferry:

The Alaska Marine Highway
Address: Located at the end of the spit.
Phone: (907) 235-8449 or (800) 642-0066
Website: www.alaska.gov/ferry Email: ask_amhs@dot.state.ak.us
Notes: It offers service to Seldovia, Kodiak, Cordova, Seward, and Valdez; also service three times a year to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands.

Airport:

Homer Area Airport
Address: 2336 Kachemak Dr., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8872

HOSPITALS

South Peninsula Hospital
Address: 4300 Bartlett St., Homer, AK
Phone: (907) 235-8101 / (866) 235-0369
Website: http://www.sphosp.com/

For the fisherman, Homer offers salmon, rockfish and cod in many of the freshwater streams as well as in the bay. For those who'd rather just eat the fish than catch it, a must-have on any Homer menu is the halibut, perhaps with a hard shell clam starter at the right time of year.

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