Sightseeing on Alaska's Sterling Highway

There’s more to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula than Seward, although that town is in the running for our favorite we’ve ever visited.

The western part of the peninsula is accessible via the Sterling Highway, which travels alongside the vivid Kenai River through the town of Cooper Landing to Soldotna.

Where we stayed

We stayed in Soldotna at the Centennial Campground for one week where Josh fished, Marie cooked said fish, and we hung out with friends.

The rate was $25/night for no hookups (2015 prices; they may change over time) with an additional charge for dumping. There was a free dump station at the Fred Meyer, which we used upon arriving in town, but within just a few days the whole town was overrun with eager anglers arriving for the salmon run.

Traffic in the town got to (this is no joking matter) Houston, Texas-levels, and the campground literally started to overflow.

So when we couldn’t stand the crowds anymore, we decided to take a day trip to Homer.

Trekking to Homer

On the way, we stopped at Clam Gulch State Recreation Area, where a short hike led to a beach with boulders twice the height of a person. We practically had the place to ourselves, so we took some time to let Gabby explore and take in the view of the Aleutian Mountains across Cook Inlet.

One of the best places in the US to dig for razor clams

Our next stop was the historic Russian town of Ninilchik. Here, we walked the streets and visited the harbor; it became like a compulsion to say, “This place is so cute!”

Historic and abandoned buildings intermingle with inhabited homes and businesses

I had read about a Russian church on the hillside overlooking the town. As it was only accessible via hiking trail, I took off to check it out.

The hike didn’t disappoint, and the views of the town from the top were really great, too.

37 miles later, we reached the city limits of Homer and stopped at an overlook to check out the city’s most famous feature: the Homer Spit, a 5-mile stretch of land that juts out into the Inlet.

The Homer Spit is lined with campgrounds, restaurants, hotels and shops

We met up with Kristin and Jason (The Snowmads) and Jeanette and Eric (JenEric Ramblings) at Homer Brewing Company, then we all went to Alice’s Champagne Palace to grab a pretty incredible lunch: rockfish on a bed of curried vegetables and basmati rice.

Yes, I’m that girl who photographs her food. But can you blame me?

Then it was off towards the Homer Spit we went, passing by private docks on the way.

It’s almost as common to see these docked in the water as boats in Alaska

When the road ended, it was pretty obvious that we had made it to the end of the Spit. If that indication didn’t suffice, though, there was a pretty big sign.