People wait in line for Mochileros Guatemalan street food in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 18, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

The pitch for Anchorage

My first time on the Kenai Peninsula was a solo trip in the late fall of 2020. When I told people I was living in Anchorage, without fail I’d be met with the classic —

“Anchorage isn’t Alaska, but you can see it from there!”

This might divide the room, but I disagree.

The landscape of the peninsula is divine, of course; the bright turquoise hue of the Kenai River and dense wildlife refuge land as far as the eye can see is hard to beat. But Anchorage and its outskirts have their own beauty.

I stayed in the city over the past two weekends for work, which is something none of my co-workers would opt to do, but I always jump at the chance. There’s something comforting about returning to my old town, and going to all my favorite spots now as an outlander.

When I wasn’t working, I got to spend time with friends old and new — waiting way too long for street tacos, summiting new peaks, eating late-night pancakes, skating on a frozen lagoon and driving through the city in the sun.

To me, Anchorage does have a specific allure. There are larger chains and mom-and-pop cafes, and colossal jagged mountains just a short drive from midtown.

It might be hard to see the jewels of the city for folks who have never lived there. But for me, the nostalgic symbolism of Anchorage will always represent the gateway to Alaska adventure.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in Sports

tease
Sunday: Twins sweep Dimond

Post 20’s Harper throws shutout in league game

Post 20's Jayden Stuyvesant flies out to left field against West on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Friday: Twins lose league game, win nonleague game vs. West

The American Legion Post 20 Twins split a doubleheader against West Post… Continue reading

tease
Thursday: Twins split with Service

The American Legion Post 20 Twins split with Service on Thursday at… Continue reading

tease
Brown Bears select 7 in NAHL Entry Draft

The Kenai River Brown Bears selected seven players in the North American… Continue reading

tease
Monday: Twins open season with victory over Bartlett

The American Legion Post 20 Twins opened their season in Anchorage with… Continue reading

tease
Area track and field athletes compete at Brian Young Invitational

The 400-meter relay of William Klein, Brenden Jones, Lokeni Wong and Tyce… Continue reading

Nick Varney
Reeling ‘Em In: Tourism season shifts into overdrive on packed Spit

On weekends, keeping your head on a swivel is a must.

Soldotna's Kristin Davis and Ruby Davis lead Kenai's Rustin Hitchcock at the Tsalteshi Backyard Ultra on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Dickerson outlasts competition at Tsalteshi Backyard Ultra

Anchorage’s Julianne Dickerson won the fourth Tsalteshi Backyard Ultra on Friday and… Continue reading

tease
SoHi 2nd, Kenai 3rd at Division II state softball

The Soldotna and Kenai Central softball teams both had the best finishes… Continue reading

Most Read