Though Homer is still new to me, I hope I can give you some ideas how to spend your vacation time here if this is the first time you visit
Homer. First, you need to get a copy of Homer visitor's guide from Homer Chamber of Commerce. You'll have a better idea of this beautiful
town. Secondly, try my "Top ten things to do"  and see which activity fits the best for you.  If you stay in Homer for only half a day, you can do
the first activity and enjoy the scenic drives. If you stay for three days, you may want to try halibut fishing or sea kayaking. I spent quite a lot
of time studying this little town and hope you can enjoy your vacation in your own way.

Here is my top ten things to do.
1. Scenic drives in Skyline Dr. & East End Rd.
           Enjoy the stunning Kachemak Bay glaciers and the mountains. What is unique about Homer  and why it's world famous is
     the Spit and Kenai mountains along the Kachemak Bay. This is why you drive another 1.5 hours from Soldotna to this tiny town.
    The view is as great as any in the National Park. There is no crowdedness, only peace and tranquility.

2. Spit walk  
           There are a couple of art galleries demonstrating the arts done by local artists on the Spit. It's a nice short walk. You can see
    people fishing on the fishing hole, camping on the beach, shopping for gifts and souvenirs from one store to another. There are also
    a couple of restaurants on the Spit. Here is also probably the easiest place you can find bald eagles.   Look around the skies
    and especially on the electric poles.  Don't forget to walk around the beach at the end of the Spit.

3. Drinking gourmet coffee, relaxing on the couch, enjoying the panoramic view
  in my living room.
           This is not an ad. ,but it is the real reason I bought this house. I hope you can enjoy it in the same way.

4. Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center and Pratt Museum.
            At Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, you can enjoy an overhead flock of Sandhill Cranes in stained glass to 7,000 hand
    sculpted seashore objects scattered in the lobby floor and the work of Alaskan artists and learn about Alaska's islands and ocean in
    entertaining new ways. There are a couple of programs going on annually, so check their web site and plan ahead.
            The Pratt Museum's exhibits focus on Kachemak Bay: An Exploration of People & Place. You will learn where you are, who lives
    here, and how we have survived. Stories of and by local residents, human or not, inform the images and objects. Outside the Museum is
    the Harrington Cabin. It tells many stories about the hard-working people who homesteaded the Kachemak Bay area.   From hand tools
    and daily diaries to crochet work and kitchen supplies, the history of a self-reliant era encircles you with the clarity of a fossilized shell.
    The lady at the Harrington Cabin is a good story-teller. You'll be fascinated by this exhibit.

5. Hiking, biking at East End Rd, the Spit or East or West Hill Rd..
            The best way to get to know Homer's plants, animals, weather and views is on foot or on a bike.

       1. East End Road Trail: At East Hill Road. Three miles, paved road; follows East End Road.
    2. Homer Spit Trail: From the base of the Homer Spit to the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. Four miles, paved road, with bird-viewing stations;
    follows the Homer Spit Road.
       3. West Hill Rd.: Starting from west Hill Rd., go up to the hill and turn to the scenic Skyline Dr.. You can come down to East End Rd
    from East Hill Rd. It's a long way so get prepared but you will be fascinated by the view.

6. Halibut fishing (almost 100% guaranteed catch) and enjoying the view of volcano mountain.
           If you didn't go halibut fishing, you'd never been to Homer just because it is "Halibut Capital of the World". I know you would worry
    about the sea sickness. If you come in summer, the sea is very quiet. If you still worry about it, I was told to take the motion sickness pills
    the night before I went fishing. I did and I didn't feel any sickness next day. You also can reduce the symptom by doing some exercise
    while you are at sea. I fished halibut near the Mount Augustine Volcano. The view was great and I caught one 33 pound.

7. Fishing Salmon on the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon.
           Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon or " Fishing Hole" is a terminal fishery, the returning salmon have no place to spawn. King salmon run
    starts from mid May and peaks in mid June through in July. The pink salmon run is primarily a July and early August show. The silver
    salmon run shows up in force in mid-August to the early of September.

8. Hiking in Kachemak Bay State Park.
           Take a water taxi to the Kachemak Bay State Park. There are over 25 miles of trails.   Hiking and camping along the shoreline and
    in the surrounding forests and mountains are excellent. Above timberline, skiers and hikers will find glaciers and snowfields stretching for
    miles. Special park attractions include Grewingk Glacier, Poot Peak, China Poot Bay, Halibut Cove Lagoon, Humpy Creek, and China Poot
    (Leisure) Lake. Read through the safety suggestions in Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park before you go.
           
9. Sea kayaking.
           Across the bay, the Kachemak Bay provides the best sea kayaking activities. There are a couple of great sea kayaking companies
    near Homer.  They provide the paddling trip from an half day to multiple days.

10. Bear Viewing.
            Bear viewing definitely will bring you excitement though it's not inexpensive. You can fly by floatplane to the pristine, remote Alaska
    where nothing will separate you from the bears.




                     Is this article helpful? Do you have any comment? You are welcome to drop me an e-mail. Thanks
                                                               Robin on 10/02/2008
Email: contact@bayviewvacationhomerental.com Call(408)505-3087, (408)655-7482
Bayview Vacation Home Rental in Homer, AK
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