Birch Grove's Guide To Homer, AK
Homer Farmers Market
Want a "taste" of the local Homer community, this is the place to go. Open Wednesdays from 2-5 and Saturdays 10-3. Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and arts and crafts.
27 locals recommend
Homer Farmers Market
1155 Ocean DrWant a "taste" of the local Homer community, this is the place to go. Open Wednesdays from 2-5 and Saturdays 10-3. Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and arts and crafts.
Galleries
Homer is unique in that it has many galleries that feature Alaskan artists. They are truly amazing and worth your time. All the art in our Home, is from local Homer galleries
15 locals recommend
Fireweed Gallery
475 E Pioneer AveHomer is unique in that it has many galleries that feature Alaskan artists. They are truly amazing and worth your time. All the art in our Home, is from local Homer galleries
Art Shop Gallery
202 W Pioneer AveOne of our favorites, don't miss it.
Ptarmigan Arts
471 E Pioneer AveBeautiful art, all from local AK artists.
Bunnell Street Arts Center
106 W Bunnell AveA great assortment from local Alaskan artists.
So many local artist featured. Check this gallery out while visiting the Spit.
Sea Lion Art and Lodging
4241 Homer Spit RdSo many local artist featured. Check this gallery out while visiting the Spit.
Sightseeing
A favorite in Homer, beautiful gardens, a nice loop hike for children, and Alaskan history and gallery in the museum.
71 locals recommend
Pratt Museum
3779 Bartlett StA favorite in Homer, beautiful gardens, a nice loop hike for children, and Alaskan history and gallery in the museum.
A great time, all Captains are great and tours are small. A great experience for all. Beautiful views, from all vantage points on the Bay.
14 locals recommend
Coldwater Alaska
4241 Homer Spit RdA great time, all Captains are great and tours are small. A great experience for all. Beautiful views, from all vantage points on the Bay.
There are amazing opportunities for kayaking in Homer. This group has great guides.
24 locals recommend
True North Kayak Adventures
4308 Homer Spit RoadThere are amazing opportunities for kayaking in Homer. This group has great guides.
A great stop, to help you get started on your sight seeing.
50 locals recommend
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Islands & Ocean)
95 Sterling HwyA great stop, to help you get started on your sight seeing.
A good place to start you off, great information on touring information.
18 locals recommend
Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
201 Sterling HwyA good place to start you off, great information on touring information.
See the beauty of Homer and surrounding areas from a bird's eye view. Tours are amazing.
Beluga Air LLC
3409 Lampert LoopSee the beauty of Homer and surrounding areas from a bird's eye view. Tours are amazing.
I personally love this beach, never crowded and you can walk for miles. A great place to collect driftwood, rocks and sea glass. Let your kids run wild and free here.
60 locals recommend
Bishop's Beach Park
I personally love this beach, never crowded and you can walk for miles. A great place to collect driftwood, rocks and sea glass. Let your kids run wild and free here.
Homer is "The Halibut Fishing Capital of the World". Captain Dan comes highly recommended.
Daniel's Personalized Guide Service
41971 Lookout DrHomer is "The Halibut Fishing Capital of the World". Captain Dan comes highly recommended.
Don't miss a visit to the famous Homer Spit. This is where the Marina is for fishing expeditions. Restaurants, galleries, and shopping. And my personal favorite, what I call the "boat graveyard", plus the famous "Salty Dog" bar.
Photo credit: Annie Garay
48 locals recommend
Homer Spit
Don't miss a visit to the famous Homer Spit. This is where the Marina is for fishing expeditions. Restaurants, galleries, and shopping. And my personal favorite, what I call the "boat graveyard", plus the famous "Salty Dog" bar.
Photo credit: Annie Garay
We just enjoyed this adventure in June 2023 and it was amazing. It's a full day and 2.5 mile hike in and out to the Grewingk Glacier and hours of kayaking on a the Glacier lake. Small groups of 6.
Three Moose Kayaking and Cabins
We just enjoyed this adventure in June 2023 and it was amazing. It's a full day and 2.5 mile hike in and out to the Grewingk Glacier and hours of kayaking on a the Glacier lake. Small groups of 6.
Mako's Water Taxi
4308 Homer Spit RdGreat for transportation across the bay to assorted trail heads
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
708 Smoky Bay WayJust 15 miles up the highway, this park gives you yet another breathtaking view of the Mountains, glaciers and the open ocean.
Anchor River State Recreation Area
74272 Anchor Point RdJust 15 miles up the highway, this park gives you yet another breathtaking view of the Mountains, glaciers and the open ocean.
Kachemak Air Service, LLC
A great way to view the Glacier and Bear sightings.
Local Favorite Eateries
We love all of these favorite Homer Eateries.
A favorite for locals and a short drive from Birch Grove.
a relaxing vibe, they serve award winning traditional meads by the bottle, glass and growler. They have a tasting, which is makes it a fun casual destination.
Odin
A favorite for locals and a short drive from Birch Grove.
a relaxing vibe, they serve award winning traditional meads by the bottle, glass and growler. They have a tasting, which is makes it a fun casual destination.
A favorite for locals. Homemade bagels every morning. Absolutely the best.
47 locals recommend
The Bagel Shop
3745 East End RdA favorite for locals. Homemade bagels every morning. Absolutely the best.
Just around the corner on Bear Creek Drive, a lovely location for hanging out with friends and wine tasting.
25 locals recommend
Bear Creek Winery
60203 Bear Creek DrJust around the corner on Bear Creek Drive, a lovely location for hanging out with friends and wine tasting.
Vida's Thai Food
397 E Pioneer AveBest Thai Food in Homer, a local favorite.
A great spot for fresh catch, located on the Homer Spit. Make reservations, always busy.
47 locals recommend
Captain Pattie's Fish House
4241 Homer Spit RdA great spot for fresh catch, located on the Homer Spit. Make reservations, always busy.
Best Italian food in Homer, great Pizza. Be aware the Pizzas are huge!
80 locals recommend
Fat Olive's Restaurant
276 Ohlson LnBest Italian food in Homer, great Pizza. Be aware the Pizzas are huge!
Yum! Amazing bakery items, and wonderful soups. Get there early, the do sell out. Check listing for days of operation.
79 locals recommend
Two Sisters Bakery
233 E Bunnell AveYum! Amazing bakery items, and wonderful soups. Get there early, the do sell out. Check listing for days of operation.
Infamous spot on the Spit. Great spot to stop for a beer or cocktail.
53 locals recommend
Salty Dawg Saloon
4380 Homer Spit RdInfamous spot on the Spit. Great spot to stop for a beer or cocktail.
A favorite for locals. Often features live music. My favorite spot for Halibut fish and chips.
65 locals recommend
Alice's Champagne Palace
195 E Pioneer AveA favorite for locals. Often features live music. My favorite spot for Halibut fish and chips.
One of our favorite spots. Friendly service and great food. Call ahead for large groups. Great patio dining.
The Twisted Goat
One of our favorite spots. Friendly service and great food. Call ahead for large groups. Great patio dining.
Pho And Thai Restaurant
345 Sterling HwyOur favorite spot for Pho.
The Kannery
A local favorite for seafood and oysters.
Great food, but more of an upscale, "fine dining" experience. Great for special occasions.
12 locals recommend
The Chart Room Restaurant
4786 Homer Spit RdGreat food, but more of an upscale, "fine dining" experience. Great for special occasions.
A favorite of locals, they serve yummy sandwiches and soups.
And wonderful hot chocolate.
17 locals recommend
Latitude 59
3858 Lake StA favorite of locals, they serve yummy sandwiches and soups.
And wonderful hot chocolate.
Mike's
158 W Pioneer AveA favorite of locals for sandwiches and yummy ice cream.
Newly reopened and reimagined, off the beaten path, a great spot for fine dining.
12 locals recommend
The Homestead Restaurant
East End RoadNewly reopened and reimagined, off the beaten path, a great spot for fine dining.
Shopping for Gear
There are not many places to shop for gear in Homer, but Ulmer's is known as "The everything store" for locals.
26 locals recommend
Ulmer's Drug And Hardware
3858 Lake StThere are not many places to shop for gear in Homer, but Ulmer's is known as "The everything store" for locals.
What did you forget to bring? You might find it at Gear Shed. Just minutes away, east on East End Rd.
18 locals recommend
Kachemak Gear Shed
3625 East End RdWhat did you forget to bring? You might find it at Gear Shed. Just minutes away, east on East End Rd.
One person's trash is another's treasure. You might find a great deal on gear. It is amazing how many Carhart items I have found here. Definitely hit or miss, but fun, if you are a "thrifter".
Homer Thrift
One person's trash is another's treasure. You might find a great deal on gear. It is amazing how many Carhart items I have found here. Definitely hit or miss, but fun, if you are a "thrifter".
City advice
Customs and culture
There are lots of critters in Alaska
Be VERY mindful of critters out and about they are wild animals and they will hurt you. Bears, Moose, wolves, fox, Bald Eagles just to name a few. Moose are very dangerous, and they can run fast and jump fences. They will cross roads no matter where you are, in town, on a hike, keep your eyes on the road. There are many mamas with calves out and about, if you are on a trail or in a clearing and spot one, get behind a tree, and stay there until they pass. They will attack, and they can gravely hurt you.
Bears, if you are hiking, keep looking all around you, not just in front of you.
Getting around
You will be in Alaska, pack all things casual.
Alaska weather can be unpredictable, pack a variety of layers. Summer temperatures are usually mid 60s and low 70s during the day, 50s at night. Bring a jacket that is water resistant, if going fishing, waterproof.
Do not bring your fancy shoes, water resistant hiking boots are your best bet for footwear. Bring an extra pair of shoes, that you don't mind if they get very dirty. Bring slippers to wear in the house.
Bring either a sun hat, and a beanie. There are 20 hours of daylight during the summer months. The sun is intense. Bring sunglasses and refillable water bottle.
Don't miss
Hiking online resources
http://wwwalltrails.com.alaska
https://www.alaska.org Homer
cityofhomer-ak.gov
https://www.tripadvisor.com
Getting around
Ravn Alaska airlines
A great way to get from Anchorage to Homer, if you are not doing the scenic drive. Only a 45 minute flight.
Book before you go
Ravn Alaska Airlines
A great way to get from Anchorage to Homer, if you are not driving the scenic drive. Forty five minute flight. Book early they are 40 seater prop planes.
Customs and culture
Staying safe around BEARS
http://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm
Customs and culture
Nature
The beauty of Alaska is you are surrounded by nature, and it is breathtaking . But, just be mindful, if you see berries, and they look yummy, many of them are poisonous, if you aren't sure what they are, DO NOT EAT THEM. Also there is a plant called Pushki, looks similar to Queens Ann's Lace, but larger and heartier. It will give you an awful rash, just enjoy its beauty from afar. There are some books in the Birch Grove Library, that will also give you some insight to native plants. Enjoy the Fireweed , that is my favorite.
Travelling with kids
Keep you Children Safe Outdoors
Although our yard at Birch Grove, is big and beautiful, please supervise your little ones at all times while playing. As previously stated, there are wild critters in Alaska and they do venture into neighborhoods, and yards. We have a 360 deck where you can view the critters safely from afar.