The trip began in Anchorage, where we spent our first day adjusting to Alaska time, wandering downtown, and eating very well. From there, we headed south along the Kenai Peninsula, stopping for views, wildlife, and coastal towns before reaching Homer. Day 3 delivered one of the highlights of the entire trip: sea kayaking and hiking to a glacier deep in Kachemak Bay State Park.
For an overview on the entire Alaska trip, check out Wildlife, Glaciers, and Adventure: 11 days in Alaska.
Arrival in Anchorage
We landed in Anchorage around 1pm, took an Uber from the airport to our Airbnb, and eased into the trip at a relaxed pace. We spent the afternoon exploring downtown Anchorage, which is very walkable, although a little sketchy in spots, so stay aware while wandering.
We started with coffee at Wild Starr Coffee House, a really cute spot with excellent espresso drinks, creative specialty options, and a small gift shop. With the four-hour time difference, the goal was to power through the day and avoid jet lag. We walked down to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a popular spot where you can rent bikes and ride the trail. I ultimately felt this was skippable. I recommend enjoying the food and saving energy for what was ahead.
Next we stopped in Glacier Brewhouse, where we had an amazing seafood chowder and a beer flight. Everything was delicious and it’s absolutely worth a stop.
For dinner, we headed to Whisky & Ramen. Highly recommend making a reservation or arriving right at opening. Even toward the end of peak season, there was a line forming before they opened. We managed to snag seats by getting there early. The food and drinks were… chef’s kiss.
Finally, we wrapped up the night with Wild Scoops, where the baked Alaska lived up to the hype.
Travel tips
- Round trip flights from Anchorage
- Uber from airport to Airbnb
- Walk around Anchorage
- We used Turo for our rental car and took Uber to the pick up spot.
- You can have it arranged for drop off.
- You could pick up on Day 2 since you don’t need it for Day 1
- If you do stay at Snob Hollow and have car, message them early about reserving parking (they only have 3 spots)
Food
- Wild Starr Coffee House
- Glacier Brewhouse
- Whisky & Ramen
- Wild Scoops
Overnight: Snob Hollow Inn, Anchorage
We stayed in the Christensen Room, which has a shared bathroom. This gave us some hesitation at first, but it ended up working perfectly. The bathroom felt more detached than shared and was never an issue. The tradeoff came with a very affordable price, a comfortable bed, and a great location that felt safe, walkable, and convenient. Would absolutely recommend it for anyone looking for a budget-friendly stay in Anchorage.
Anchorage to Homer
We woke up early and hit the road for the drive from Anchorage to Homer. Before leaving town, we made a quick stop at Walmart to pick up bear spray, road snacks, and water. From there, we grabbed coffee at Black Cup Coffee for our morning fuel (the pour over here was excellent).
The drive from Anchorage to Homer is stunning, with plenty of pull-offs and viewpoints along the way. Bird Point has a nice walkway and great views over the Turnagain Arm. This area is also known for bore tide sightings, a rare tidal event where a wave travels up the inlet as the tide comes in. You can look up bore tide schedules ahead of time and potentially time your drive to catch one. We did not see it ourselves, but worth checking if your timing lines up.
As we continued, we passed through Cooper Landing and the Russian River Falls area. These spots offer scenic walks and opportunities to see brown bears, especially during salmon runs. Make sure you carry bear spray and know how to use it.
We took a short detour to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge area along Ski Hill Road. While we did not spot any wildlife there, it was a quick and scenic drive that felt worthwhile.
Not long after, we spotted a moose standing in someone’s backyard along the road, which was a good reminder that wildlife in Alaska shows up when and where it wants.
Once we arrived in Homer, we dropped off our bags at our Airbnb before heading out to explore Homer Spit. We wandered around Land’s End and visited the Seafarer’s Memorial, taking in all the stunning views. The Spit is full of small shops, bars, and restaurants, making it a fun area to explore.
For dinner, we went to Fresh Catch Cafe and enjoyed the most mouth-watering Alaskan king crab legs while looking out over the ocean they had just been pulled from – an Alaskan experience not to be missed. Afterward, we stopped by the Salty Dawg Saloon, a must-see even if you don’t plan to have a drink. Just walking in and taking in the chaotic scene of walls covered in dollar bills is an experience in itself.
Travel tips
- Anchorage to Homer is about a 4 hour drive, not including stops
- Enjoy scenic views throughout the drive, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife
- Many of these stops are available again on Days 4 and 7 if you miss anything.
Food
- Fresh Catch Cafe
Overnight: Retreat at Kachemak Bay, Homer
Our Airbnb was attached to the main house but felt private, with its own entrance. The space was comfortable and well-equipped, with a fully stocked kitchen, a cozy couch and TV for winding down, and an incredibly comfortable bed. The location was great and the hosts were very kind and welcoming. It was an excellent home base for our time in Homer.
Kachemak Bay State Park
One of the main reasons we visited Homer was to explore Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska’s first state park, known for its abundant wildlife and incredible mix of marine, forest, and glacial ecosystems. We booked the Land, Sea & Ice tour with Kachemak Bay Adventures, a full-day adventure that pairs sea kayaking with a hike to Grewgink Glacier.
We took a short water taxi ride from Homer past the seabird sanctuary of Gull Island, and the day started out strong with a surprise humpback whale breaching. While I did not catch it on camera, it is a moment that will live in my memory forever.
We were dropped off on a small island to gear up and launch our tandem sea kayak, then paddled along the coast of Kachemak Bay and through Halibut Cove, a small coastal community accessible only by boat. Wildlife sightings were abundant, including sea otters, bald eagles, and seals.
We kayaked to the trailhead and continued on foot for a short hike to Grewgink Glacier Lake, where icebergs floated on the water beneath towering mountain peaks.
After the hike, we returned to Homer and wrapped up the day with a delicious dinner at The Kannery, an upscale eatery known for Alaskan seafood and craft cocktails. We started with oysters Rockefeller and shared fried halibut and chips, which felt especially fitting in the Halibut Capital of the World!
Travel tips
- Homer offers plenty of ways to get out on the water, from kayaking and fishing charters to whale-watching tours. Do a little research and choose the experience that best fits your interests.
Activities
- Kachemak Bay Adventures (Land, Sea & Ice tour)
Food
- The Kannery (dinner)