Virgin River has not only entangled its viewers with its romance and drama but also engulfed them with the breathtaking, scenic locations in the show. It’s a fairytale town with a cozy-chic log cabin, a bar (with a very dreamy bartender), a Victorian mansion, and lots of naturescape. And it really feels like the ‘utopian, perfect small town’ that the author Robyn Carr described in the book series from which the Netflix drama was adapted from.
And we’ve listed 8 charming locations where Virgin River was filmed, so you don’t have to! All you need to do is take notes or just bookmark this page to visit again when you’re all ready to make your itinerary.
But first, let’s satisfy the audience’s curiosity and answer the most frequently asked question.
Is Virgin River a Real Place?
Yes, it does exist. Virgin River is a tributary of the popular Colorado River that runs through Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. But the small, tight-knit town in the series, which is supposedly located in Northern California, is purely fictional. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Carr said,
“It’s idealized, it’s utopian, it’s the perfect small town. 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.”
And interestingly, the Virgin River series is not filmed in the Golden State. It’s actually in Hollywood North or also known as Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada!
Quick Guide: 8 Charming ‘Virgin River’ Locations
Let’s take a virtual trip to the charming locations in Vancouver where the Virgin River is shot.
1. The Watershed Grill
Address: 41101 Government Rd, Brackendale, BC V0N 1H0, Canada
According to Conde Nast Traveler, Jack’s Bar is real, or at least its exterior is, which is located at a real restaurant north of Vancouver. It’s called The Watershed Grill in Brackendale, where you can enjoy the best burger on a riverside patio that offers a scenic view of the Squamish River (close enough for a Virgin River experience). The scenes inside Jack’s bar are all shot in a studio.
2. Murdo Frazer Park
Address: Murdo Fraser Park Trail, North Vancouver BC V7R
Mel’s cozy-chic log cabin is real, and it used to be the caretakers’ cabin in Murdo Frazer Park in the stylishly luxurious North Vancouver neighborhood of Edgemont Village. It’s a stone’s throw away from West Vancouver, which has been popularly known as the home to some of the most expensive properties in Canada, including the waterfront mansion in Netflix’s ‘Firefly Lane’ and blocks away from the Trans-Canada Highway.
And an interesting bit about this property is that it actually costs a fortune today! According to Vancouver is Awesome, it was first purchased in 1936 by a businessman. By 1951, the property was developed with a log cabin guest house and a duck pond which Virgins fans have fallen in love with. It has also been featured in various films and series, including MacGyver, Once Upon a Time, and Supernatural, just to name a few.
And now, the little cabin averages 12 productions yearly.
3. Queen’s Park of New Westminster
Address: First Street & Third Avenue, New Westminster, British Columbia V3L 2G5 Canada
Doc Mullins and Hope’s 133-year-old Queen Anne-style mansion is located at 122 First Street in the historic Queen’s Park of New Westminster, located in the lower mainland region of British Columbia. It’s called “Breezehurst” and houses four bedrooms, three bathrooms, five fireplaces, a grand veranda, a high-ceiling foyer, as well as other amenities in 5,363 square-feet of space. According to Daily Hive, the 1889 mansion was listed for $2.1 million last May 2021.
4. Burnaby
Address: Center of Burrard Peninsula, Lower Mainland region of British Columbia
The Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park serves as the background to Paige’s bakery food truck as well as other scenes. Deer Lake Park, which is located near Michael Buble’s multimillion-dollar home, has also been featured as the backdrop of The Virgin River Community Picnic in Season 2, Episode 4.
The city offers world-class waterfront views – from ocean and rivers to even lakes and ponds – perfect for spring picnics and different water activities if you don’t have the time to go all the way to Kits Beach or Boundary Bay.
5. Grouse Mountain
Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7R 4K9 Canada
Just 15 minutes away from downtown Vancouver is Grouse Mountain, where the third season’s Lumberjack Games was held. It’s one of the outdoorsy and adventurous film locations in the series. During the summer, you can enjoy hiking, paragliding, lumberjack shows, and many more. For the winter season, it’s the perfect place to try skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sleigh riding. Aside from activities, you can indulge your stomach in different dining venues – from cafes to casual dining to even fine dining. They also feature a refuge for endangered wildlife.
6. Snug Cove in Bowen Island
Address: East Coast of Bowen Island, British Columbia, opposite Horseshoe Bay
Snug Cove, an idyllic island municipality, was mainly used for the series’ ‘establishing shots,’ which are shown between pivotal scenes at Mel’s cabin or Jack’s bar. The streets, the colorful houses, and the buildings have all been seen in passing throughout the series. It perfectly gives off the small-town vibe of Virgin River.
7. Port Coquitlam
Address: East of Vancouver, north bank of the confluence of the Fraser River and the Pitt River in British Columbia
Port Coquitlam, a quaint city in the suburb just east of Vancouver, is one of the places used for the exterior scenes in the series (specifically including In a Wink Boutique). It’s home to many parks as well as trails where you could wander off. And of course, you can’t miss the delectable dining and drinking spots when you visit it.
8. The Lynn Canyon Cafe
Address: 3690 Park Rd, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7J 3K2 Canada
Just like Port Coquitlam, fans also get a glimpse of The Lynn Canyon Cafe. This is a little surprise on the way to the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge. Their paninis and coffee are really good treats after a tiring trek.
Here are some other locations that appeared on the show:
- East of Vancouver on Pioneer Avenue in Agassiz – ‘Welcome to Virgin River’ sign
- Klahanie Campground in Squamish – Fitches Bed and Breakfast
- Northbrook Court and North Fraser Way close to the Fraser River
- LDS Church at 6280 Kincaid St.
- Shannon Falls Provincial Park