Centrally located community on the Kenai Peninsula
Located on the scenic Kenai Peninsula, Kalifornsky offers a rural lifestyle with easy access to the nearby cities. “Kalifornsky is a popular area because it’s between Soldotna and Kenai. It’s centrally located,” says Annette Pankoski, a Realtor with Alaska 1st Realty, who has sold homes here. “That area offers people usually about an acre of land with each house. In the cities, you’re getting .19, .22 acres at most.” Kalifornsky is just off Sterling Highway on the coast of the peninsula, with many properties featuring views of the Cook Inlet to the west. Soldotna and Kenai are each a short drive away, offering a wide variety of restaurants, big-box stores, healthcare and schools. While proximity to the cities is a main draw, Kalifornsky also has easy access to outdoor recreation like rivers, trails and wildlife refuges.
Kalifornsky homes sit on the bluff overlooking wildlife on the Kenai River.
Kalifornsky is a destination for wild game jerky found at Echo Lake's Superior Meats.
Head to Kenai in Kalifornsky for restaurant options that include delicious Thai food.
Meek's Crossing at Kenai Beach in Kalifornsky offers views of the Cook Inlet.
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Countryside and suburban homes in Kalifornsky
Homes in Kalifornsky include everything from 1970s ranch-style houses and cabins to 21st-century suburban homes. Most of the community is rural, with tall, dense trees adding seclusion, but there are some neighborhoods where homes are closer together. Private wells and septic systems are common. Pankoski also notes that living in the countryside comes with more freedom. “You’re not under city zoning rules, permitting and those kinds of things. If you want to remodel your house and you’re not in the city, you can do whatever you want,” she says. The median home price is around $345,000, down 4% over the past year. That price is slightly higher than in Kenai but lower than in Soldotna.
Kalifornsky offers 21st-century suburban homes along quiet wooded roads.
Find parcels of land in Kalifornsky with 1970s ranch-style houses and cabins to call your home.
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Exploring Alaska's rivers and natural areas
Kalifornsky’s location on the coast offers plenty of outdoor recreation at sites like Kalisof River Special Use Area. Located at the mouth of the river, which empties into the Cook Inlet, this spot is popular for fishing, boating and viewing wildlife. A boat ramp on the community’s north side offers access to the Kenai River. Both rivers are home to multiple fish species, including salmon and rainbow trout. Kalifornsky Beach is good for fishing and lounging on the beach in warmer months.The Tsalteshi Ski Trails are open year-round for cross-country skiing, hiking, running and mountain biking. Just across Sterling Highway is the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. This refuge totals nearly 2 million acres and is home to several wildlife species like moose, eagles, bears and wolves. The refuge offers fishing and hunting opportunities and multiple hiking trails.
Kalifornsky residents head to the Kalisof River Special Use Area for dipnet-fishing and views of Lake Clark National Park mountains.
Kalifornsky boaters access the Kenai River for salmon fishing.
The Tsalteshi Ski Trails in Kalifornsky are a great place to hike and bike in the Summer.
Kalifornsky is home to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge where you can find endless opportunities for wildlife viewing.
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Local and big-box businesses in the Central Peninsula
Kalifornsky Beach Road has some shopping and dining, but the nearby cities provide many more options. “We generally go into Soldotna or Kenai, but there is a nice restaurant on Kalifornsky Beach Road that has wonderful views of the flats. You can see caribou coming by,” says Pankoski. The Flats Bistro is an upscale restaurant with a large patio overlooking the Kenai River. Groceries are available at Save-U-More, while other local businesses are along Kalifornsky Beach Road. These include construction supply companies and auto shops that provide jobs in the area. The Orca Theater shows first-run movies.
After taking a drive down Kalifornsky Beach Road, stop in at the Flats Bistro for an upscale meal.
Big-box businesses in Kalifornsky include the Home Depot for everything you may need for your home.
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Grade school and college options in Kalifornsky
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District gets a B from Niche and serves approximately 8,500 students. It has several specialized programs, including Indigenous Education, career and technical education courses and dual enrollment. Nearby, Kenai Peninsula College is a local community college serving about 1,600 students. Programs offered include Alaska Native studies, anthropology, fisheries technology and welding.
The Kenai Kards offer great athletic facilities for high-school students in Kalifornsky.
Further your education in Kalifornsky at Kenai Peninsula College.
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Driving around the peninsula's coast
Kalifornsky Beach Road is the main route through the community. Soldotna is about 4.5 miles away, while Kenai is 7 miles away. Kenai Municipal Airport has routine jet service to Anchorage from Grant Aviation and Kenai Aviation. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is working on developing a bus system with stops in Kalifornsky, Kenai and Soldotna. Alaska Bus Company offers daily service from Anchorage to Homer during the summer, with a stop in Soldotna. Central Peninsula Hospital is about 5 miles away in Soldotna.
Environmental hazards on the Kenai Peninsula
Kalifornsky has cool summers and relatively mild winters, thanks to currents from the Cook Inlet. “There’s always a little bit of cold bite to our area. I’ve lived up here for 40 years, and I’d have to say the average summertime temperature is in the 50s or 60s,” says Pankoski. The area can receive significant snowfall, with around 15 inches on average in December. According to the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan, the region faces significant risks of flooding, wildfires and earthquakes. The plan has several steps and strategies to prevent and respond to these risks. The Alaska State Troopers provide law enforcement for Kalifornsky. Crime data for the community is not readily available.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Luke George
Video By
Victoria York
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