Seldovia

Name: Alaska.org
Price range: $

Once upon a time, this little town across Kachemak Bay was bigger than Homer, with a fish canneries, businesses and an extensive boardwalk. It was even known as the Boardwalk Town until the 1964 earthquake wiped out the boardwalk and nearly wiped out the town. Even so, Seldovia is still the biggest of the small communities “across the bay” from Homer.

That said, laid-back Seldovia has a decidedly tiny-town feel: There are no traffic signs, no movie theaters and no big stores. There are, however, a lot of things you can do outdoors, such as fishing, bicycling, hiking, berry-picking or clamming. ATVs are popular here, too—so much so that you can rent them to drive them around town.

This is a also a place to keep you binoculars handy: Seldovia has about 50 resident bald eagles, as well as countless birds such as stellar jays, pine siskins, magpies and blue herons. You might also see otters, seals, whales, moose or black bear.

A 140-passenger ferry can take you from Homer to Seldovia; if you stay overnight you can choose from small hotels, B&Bs and RV sites and campgrounds.