March is made for getaways. Whether it's a long weekend or an Easter vacation, Alaskans need to chop up winter into two or more pieces. Sometimes the need for a break sneaks up. Sometimes, something "in the neighborhood" is the best option. A getaway in Homer is a quick and easy solution.
Sure, Anchorage is a coastal city. But Homer has an honest-to-goodness beach. And you can't beat the view across Kachemak Bay.
If you're in a hurry to get away, hop aboard Era Alaska from Anchorage to Homer. Choosing Era over a drive around Turnagain Arm will add seven to nine more hours to your getaway. Don't stress about the airport visit, since there's no federal scope-n-grope on Era flights. Leave your shoes on. Bring your coffee.
It's one thing to look out over the ocean from a distance. It's something else to be close enough to hear the waves lap the shore. That's just one advantage to a getaway at Land's End Resort, right on the beach at the end of the Homer Spit. You can see Land's End from the final approach to Homer Airport.
Calm before the tourism storm
Almost every business on the Homer Spit is closed in March. Almost. The Salty Dog Saloon is open, as is the ferry terminal, offering trips to Seldovia and Kodiak. But most other spit operators are summertime only. And that means more room to move for you and your travel mates.
I stayed in room 227, which opens directly on to Kachemak Bay. You can watch the fishing boats go to and from the harbor. Bring your binoculars for a better look at the stunning diversity of seabirds outside. In midst of the cormorants, ducks and seagulls I saw several eagles and ravens. Playing in the water nearby were a few sea otters and a seal.
Don't miss the opportunity to grab a meal at the Chart Room Restaurant, which looks over the water. I stopped in for a hamburger -- but there's a monthly event called "Uncorked" on the first Friday of each month during the winter. The staff at the restaurant puts on a great food-and-wine presentation. The next one is on Fri., Apr. 5. The theme is "Everything old is new again" and includes a smart collection of wines from Spain, Chile and Argentina. Courses include a white gazpacho with Manchego crostini and lamb Albondigas with preserved figs and fried olives! The five-course feast is $80 and includes the wines and a gratuity. Van Hale from Marx Brothers Cafe in Anchorage will present his famous Caesar Salad, made table side. Delicious. The $80 price includes special wine pairings with each course as well as gratuity.
Homer in March offers a breather. A post-Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race respite for frenzied city-slickers in Anchorage. Walk the beach. Watch the waves roll in. Take in panoramic views of the Kenai Mountains, just across the bay and visible from just about everywhere in Homer. Enjoy the last vestiges of Alaska's long winter; there's still snow all the way down to the water.
Land's End offers extra help for relaxation: visit the full-service spa, on premise, offering facials, massages, aromatherapy, the works. Enjoy the sauna and hot tub; swim against the artificial current in an "endless wave pool."
The Homer Spit is glorious but there's more to explore. Check out Bishop's Beach near the Alaska Islands and Oceans Visitor Center, a kid-friendly destination with a boardwalk that leads across Beluga Slough to the beach. Stop at Two Sisters Bakery. Aside from delicious espresso drinks, Two Sisters has croissants, cupcakes, cheesecake and a seemingly endless variety of delicious goodie perfect for a post-beachcomb afternoon snack.
For those seeking adventure and exercise, Homer offers some prime cross-country skiing opportunities. Trails up on Diamond Ridge overlook the bay and offer stunning views of the bay and surrounding mountains. The Kachemak Nordic Ski Club maintains a network of trails for novices and experts, too. I skied the oh-so-easy Homestead Trail.
Dinner brings a bevy of delicious options. One of Homer's most popular eateries, Fat Olive's Restaurant, offers something for every palate. The pizzas are great, but there's lots of great pizza in Alaska. Bravely venture toward the Beef Tenders Salad, which delivers perfectly seared meat atop a delightful salad with heavy cheese sauce. The folks at Fat Olive's also make it a point to offer delicious wines by the glass, including a red Spanish Rioja wine by Beronia.
And now go sleep off your indulgence.
Check out the special "Getaway package" at Land's End: from $139 per couple. It includes overnight accommodations and dinner for two. Make it a "Flyaway package" in conjunction with Era Alaska from Anchorage. And don't be afraid to burn some Alaska Airlines miles to hop aboard your Era Alaska flight.
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com or follow him on Twitter for breaking travel news.