Homer, Coastal city in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, US
Homer is a coastal city on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. A narrow strip of land extends far into Kachemak Bay and forms a natural harbor for fishing boats and other vessels.
Miners came to the area in the 1890s for coal deposits and built the first settlements. The economy later shifted to fishing when living quarters for fishing crews were established.
The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival brings together bird enthusiasts each spring to observe the migration of sandhill cranes and numerous waterfowl species.
The town sits at the end of the Sterling Highway, about 218 miles (350 km) southwest of Anchorage. The road is open year-round and passes through forests and alongside lakes.
Many bald eagles nest along the coastline in spring and are often seen perched on trees or posts. Humpback whales pass through the waters offshore in summer, sometimes coming close enough to be watched from shore.
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