Visitor Information

The Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center, 201 Sterling Hwy. (P.O. Box 541), Homer, AK 99603 (tel. 907/235-7740; www.homeralaska.org), is on the right as you enter town. In summer, staff is on hand Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm. Besides answering questions and handing out brochures on local businesses and public lands, they sell tickets for the halibut derby. Winter hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

The Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, 95 Sterling Hwy., Homer, AK 99603 (tel. 907/235-6961; www.islandsandocean.org), is more than a visitor center. It's one of Homer's best attractions -- a sort of museum of the outdoors for the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, the cosponsoring organizations. Everyone coming to Homer should see the building, an architectural gem that perfectly reflects the rocky shores that the refuge and reserve take in, and to experience exhibits, some added in 2010, that use technology, interactive fun, and a sense of theater to re-create remote places in thought and feel. Films show frequently. The center is also the best place to stop for information if you plan to go outdoors anywhere in the area. An easy nature trail descends to the slough below the center. Admission is free. The center is open summer daily 9am to 6pm; check the website or call for winter hours.

The refuge itself consists of islands off Alaska from the Arctic to near British Columbia that include some of the world's most prolific bird and marine mammal habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages these lands for the benefit of the animals, and people rarely set foot on their shores, but rangers in Homer offer daily programs and walks during peak summer season three times a day, at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Call for times and topics. The ranger's birding walks and guided tide pool treks could be a highlight of your trip. Birders can also call the Kachemak Bay Bird Alert Information Line (tel. 907/235-7337) to find out about recent sightings and upcoming birding events, and to leave news of their own observations, in season.

The Kachemak Bay State Park District Office, mile 168.5 on the Sterling Highway, 4 miles from town (tel. 907/235-7024; www.alaskastateparks.org), staffs rangers that can help answer questions about planning a trip to the trails and beaches across Kachemak Bay from Homer and give advice on renting remote cabins (although you make the reservation through the Anchorage office). Depending on staffing, the office should be open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Special Events

Unless otherwise noted, the Homer Chamber of Commerce (tel. 907/235-7740; www.homeralaska.org) is the best source of information for all these community happenings and for others listed on the events page of its website. Homer's Winter Carnival, in early February, the weekend after the Super Bowl, is a big community event, a small-town celebration with a beer-making contest, a parade, a Mardi Gras celebration, auto racing on the ice of Beluga Lake, and more.

The Winter King Tournament is a 1-day fishing competition on the third Saturday of March, for the largest king salmon caught by a fleet of sportfishing boats trolling for the fish in their winter ocean habitat. The purse exceeds $100,000 in cash and merchandise. The Jackpot Halibut Derby (www.homerhalibutderby.com), which runs from May through September, has a top prize that has reached over $50,000 for the biggest fish of the season, and smaller monthly prizes and tagged fish prizes. Grand prize fish are usually 300 pounds or more. Of course, you must buy your $10 ticket before you fish.

The Kachemak Shorebird Festival, in early May, includes guided bird-watching hikes and boat excursions, natural history workshops, art shows and performances, and other events. It's organized by Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the Homer Chamber of Commerce to mark the return of the annual migration.

Concert on the Lawn, in late July, sponsored by KBBI public radio (tel. 907/235-7721), is a 2-day outdoor music, craft, and food festival that brings together the whole town.

Getting There

By Car: Homer is about 235 miles, roughly 4 1/2 hours, from Anchorage by car, if you don't stop at any of the interesting or beautiful places along the way. It's a scenic drive. If you take a rental car, drive it both ways, as the drop-off fees from Anchorage to Homer are high.

By Bus: If you can't drive or can't afford to fly, the Stage Line (tel. 907/235-2252; www.thestageline.net) is a backpacker van that runs from Homer to Anchorage and Seward and back daily during the summer, less frequently the rest of the year. The Anchorage-to-Homer fare is $78 one-way, $144 round-trip. Tickets are for sale at 1213 Ocean Dr. in Homer. In Anchorage, the ticket office is at 412 W. 53rd Ave. (tel. 907/868-3914).

By Air: Era Alaska (tel. 800/866-8394; www.flyera.com) serves Homer from Anchorage several times a day. Small air-taxi operators use Homer as a hub for outlying villages and the outdoors.

By Ferry: The Alaska Marine Highway System (tel. 800/642-0066; www.ferryalaska.com) connects Homer to Seldovia, Kodiak, and points west along the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Archipelago. The run to Kodiak takes 10 hours and costs $74 for an adult walk-on passenger (children 6-11 half off). It's a long but memorable trip.

Fast Facts

Banks -- Three banks with ATMs, including Wells Fargo (which has a lovely mural inside), are on the Sterling Highway near Heath Street.

Hospital -- South Peninsula Hospital is at the top of Bartlett Street, off Pioneer Avenue (tel. 907/235-8101).

Internet Access -- Tech Connect Computer Sales and Services, 432 E. Pioneer Ave. (tel. 907/235-5248), offers broadband access for $5 an hour on their computers or Wi-Fi on yours. Other Wi-Fi hot spots are not hard to find; the visitor center can give you a list.

Police -- For nonemergencies within the city limits, call the Homer Police Department (tel. 907/235-3150); outside the city, phone the Alaska State Troopers (tel. 907/235-8239). The police station is on Heath Street at Pioneer Avenue, right behind the Fire Department.

Post Office -- Sterling Highway at Heath Street.

Taxes -- Sales tax in Homer is 7.5%. Outside the city, you pay 3%.

Getting Around

The best way to get to and around Homer is by car. If you didn't bring one, you can rent a car at the airport from Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131 or 907/235-0734; www.hertz.com) or one of three local firms. Taxis are available from Kostas Taxi Service (tel. 907/399-8008) or Kachecab Taxi (tel. 907/235-1950).

For strong riders, a bike is a good way around town. You have to dodge traffic in places downtown, but a paved trail parallels the road for the 5 miles of the spit and another runs 5 miles east of town. Some excellent mountain-biking routes are mentioned below. Homer Saw and Cycle, 1532 Ocean Dr. (tel. 907/235-8406), rents mountain bikes, street bikes, kids' bikes, and tag-a-longs. Bike rentals start at $25 a day and come with helmets and locks. The shop keeps track of trail conditions and is a good source of advice. It is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm, Saturday from 11am to 5pm. It's wise to reserve bikes a day or two ahead, especially if an outing depends on one.

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