There are countless places to watch the sun set over the coastal waters near Anchorage. The overlook at the Port of Anchorage Boat Launch might be one of the least welcoming. The small parking area is at the end of a bumpy, unpaved road that’s nearly hidden within industrial Anchorage. It has an urban flavor you won't find on Turnagain Arm or Point Woronzof. On clear summer night, the area at the mouth of Ship Creek is alive with activity. On Tuesday, August 22, 2012, tugboats escorted massive barges to and from Cook Inlet. A group of young people perched on the rock retaining walls to bask in warm glow of the late sun. Trains came and went from the Alaska Railroad Depot and the yards nearby. Just a few late-season fishermen waited patiently along the muddy banks of the river. It’s not a beautiful Alaskan landscape in the way you might imagine, but it is unique. When it’s viewed in the just the right light, just before sundown, it’s easy to see why it’s a destination for many.

(Sometimes it's the traditionally beautiful and popular destinations that we value the most, but often it's the quiet, hidden places that we cherish for personal reasons. What's your special corner of the city and why? Focal Point is interested in your suggestions on where to visit for features on our area's Remarkable Places. -Marc Lester, mlester@adn.com)