Virgin River is one of those shows that’ll make you want to plan a trip to a rustic small town—immediately. It doesn’t matter if it’s fictional!
Sure, we absolutely adore the characters (who at this point feel like our best friends!) and the sometimes suspenseful (but mostly sweet) plot, but it’s the beautiful scenery that really makes us want to go and pay a visit to the made-believe town of Virgin River.
By the way, if you needed any confirmation that Virgin River isn’t real, just ask Robyn Carr, the author of the Virgin River book series that the show is based on! “People always write and say, ‘Where is it? I want to go there,’ and I have to remind them that it only exists in our hearts and minds,” Carr told Entertainment Weekly.
That’s right… the idyllic place where all of Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack’s (Martin Henderson) drama unfolds is totally made up.
But all hope is not lost, because the location where the Netflix series is filmed is real—and you can visit. Though the fictional town is set in northern California, the episodes were actually shot in Vancouver, British Columbia and its surrounding mountainous areas.
Most of those sweeping panoramic views that show off the exterior of Virgin River were filmed in Snug Cove on Bowen Island, Burnaby, and Port Coquitlam. For planning purposes, Snug Cove is probably your best bet if trying to visit the majority of Virgin River locations, as its main streets, local libraries, and Artisan Lane were used for many of the establishing shots seen throughout the series. The other town landmarks—like Jack’s bar, Doc’s clinic, and Mel’s cabin—can be found throughout the Vancouver area.
Want to experience the magic of Jack’s restaurant? Make a reservation at the Watershed Grill in Brackendale. (You’ll recognize the exterior from Ricky’s party during the first episode of season 3!) Take a stroll by a historic mansion located at 122 First Street in the historic Queen’s Park of New Westminster to check out Doc’s place. The house that acts as Mel’s cabin is actually located in Murdo Frazer Park, but it serves as the park caretaker’s home—so best not to go knocking!
If you’ve watched later seasons of the show, then you were also introduced to an abundance of new jaw-dropping scenery. You’d be delighted to know that most of these are also visitable! For example, that cute fishing date that Mel and Jack went on? The scene was filmed over at Shannon Falls Provincial Park in British Columbia.
Oh, and if you think back to the first episode of season 4, you might remember the walk that Mel and Jack went on—the one where they entered what seemed to be an outdoor, autumn paradise. That took place at the VanDusen Botanical Garden! And before we forget, the iconic Renaissance Faire was shot at Princess Park, a well-known hiking trail.
Virgin River fans can also visit Paige’s Bakeaway Truck, where Paige and Lizzy worked after Paige was forced to leave town. It’s located at Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park and Deer Lake Park. While you won’t find the truck still parked on scene, you can enjoy plenty of scenic walking trails. This location was also used as the filming spot for the Virgin River Community Picnic in Season 2 Episode 4.
Additionally, Fitches Bed and Breakfast is located at the Klahanie Campground in Squamish. The ca
mpground is a family-owned and operated site located off the Sea to Sky Highway, just a 45-minute car ride away from Vancouver.
So, you can consider this article a source of vacation-planning inspiration! And if you’re fixing for some scripted drama after you’re done binging the latest season, go ahead and check out these TV shows like Virgin River!
