Homer is our “Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea” as
well as the “Halibut Capital of the World!”
Whether you choose
to…
go fishing (for halibut or salmon or…), hiking, sea kayaking,
bird watching, flight seeing, brown bear viewing…you
might bike or jog on the Homer Spit bike path, browse Homer’s
unique art galleries, taste our delicious oysters, take in a
performance at Pier One Theater, or explore the Pratt Museum or Alaska’s
Islands and Oceans Visitor Center, oh – there is SO much here…
 …we
KNOW that you can enjoy Homer! We have some wonderful bakeries and
restaurants and lots of local color! Okay, the water is cold and the
surf is usually best during winter storms, but if the surf is up, you
might want to even try to hang ten!
It might also be tempting to simply RELAX at the Surf
Shack, order in or cook something up yourself, and enjoy the
panoramic view! You’ll
be right there on Kachemak Bay!
We think you’ll agree that the
Surf Shack is a gem!
We have some wonderful recommendations and links for you to consider
below. Additionally, we have compiled a binder of local brochures
and menus for Surf Shack guests and we are members of the Homer Chamber
of Commerce which hosts a good website to help you explore Homer
from afar -
www.HomerAlaska.org . Happy trip
planning!
Donna Rae and Don’s Recommended
Local Links
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- Don’t
forget to check out our Alaska
Islands and Oceans Visitor Center while you are here! (free admission) You
may want to see what special events that they have scheduled
during your stay! www.islandsandocean.org
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Enjoy the arts: One of our favorite things about Homer is our outstanding
art community. There are lots of shops and performances to enjoy here. If
you are here for the "First Friday" of the month, don't miss the gallery
openings throughout Homer and check in with the Homer Council
on the Arts (www.HomerArt.org ). And
do visit our art galleries including the very
special Bunnell Street Gallery - www.BunnellStreetGallery.org
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If you like to hike or birdwatch: we highly
recommend taking Mako's Water
Taxi across the bay to see the nesting birds of Gull Island and enjoy a
scenic day hike in Kachemak Bay State Park. We especially recommend the
Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail or for those who want to get up high, Grace
Ridge or Alpine Ridge trails are especially nice! - www.makoswatertaxi.com / www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/kbaytrs.htm
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- For An
Extraordinary Brown Bear Viewing and Floatplane Experience
(it’s a splurge, but well worth it – and
you’ll want to BOOK EARLY!): Chris and
Ken Day at Emerald Air Service, Inc.- www.emeraldairservice.com
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- For Halibut
and Salmon Fishing Charters for a personalized
fishing experience on an uncrowded boat with a great
captain: Daniel’s
Personal Guide Service - www.homerfishing.com
Daniel’s
Guesthouse also accommodates six or more people if
you have a large group coming to Homer to stay.
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- If you
have handicapped considerations, or need lodging
for a larger group: Michael LeMay’s Good
Karma Inn - www.goodkarmainn.com
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- If you enjoy museums: Our Pratt Museum
is a wonderful stop. Indoor
exhibits focus on art, natural history, native cultures,
homesteading,
fishing, marine ecology and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They have Alaskan
wildlife dioramas, salt-water aquaria and a Museum store. Outdoor exhibits
include the historic Harrington homestead cabin with period furnishings, a
botanical garden, and a forest nature trail, enlivened by summer and
permanent art installations. Their website will connect you to the live Wild Remote Cams, including the Bear Cam to see the Grizzlies at McNeil River and our birds at Gull Island in Kachemak Bay! - www.PrattMuseum.org
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- Our web designer is also a fantastic photographer (you
can buy in stock photo prints, or invite him to come along
and photograph you on a local adventure!): Scott Dickerson
- www.scottdickerson.com
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- If you want a great cup
of coffee: Ty and Christie at Captain’s
Coffee on Pioneer Avenue (try their Surfer’s
Blend!) - www.captainscoffee.com.
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- Many of our guests spend some time in
Anchorage. We
encourage everyone to learn more about Alaska Native
Cultures and to visit to the Alaska
Native Heritage Center (www.alaskanative.net).
It is a beautiful gathering place that celebrates,
perpetuates and shares our Alaska Native cultures.
Since opening in 1999, the Center has become Alaska's
premier interactive cultural destination. It
is a fantastic spot with wonderful interpreters and
many educational performances.
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- If you are interested in geology, you might want to
check out the website
of the ARGUS Beach Monitoring Station (installed in February
2003) to study
changes along our shoreline - zuma.nwra.com/homer/
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- If you are a surfer or seeking outdoor adventures
and want to keep an eye on current local weather and
wave heights, check out: www.weather.gov/forecasts
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- If you are a volcano observer, check
out Mt. Augustine on the Alaska Volcano Observatory’s
website - www.avo.alaska.edu
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