Are you a fan of the popular TV series Virgin River and curious about where was Virgin River filmed? You’re not alone. Many viewers are intrigued by the beautiful locations featured in the series and want to know more about them.

Where Was Virgin River Filmed - Featured Image

Where Was Virgin River Filmed

  • Filming Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • First episode date: December 6, 2019 (USA)
  • Based on: Virgin River novels; by Robyn Carr
  • Cinematography: David Pelletier; David J. Frazee; Toby Gorman
  • Genre: Romantic drama
  • Network: Netflix
  • Producers: Ian Hay; Sally Dixon; Jackson Snider
  • Stars: Martin Henderson; Benjamin Hollingsworth; Alexandra Breckenridge

Filming Locations

For the most part, Virgin River was filmed on location in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Other locations include Bowen Island and Snug Cove.

Where Was Virgin River Filmed - Vancouver BC Canada

Mel’s Log Cabin

Address: 3092 Paisley Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 1C

Mel’s cabin is a caretaker’s cabin in Murdo Frazer Park located on the North Shore of Vancouver near the Pitch and Putt public golf course.

The log cabin is based on an actual place in Toronto named Mel’s Log Cabin, owned by Melinda Sordoni.

Jack’s Bar

Address: 41101 Government Rd, Brackendale, BC V0N 1H0 (Watershed Grill)

The exterior filming of Jack’s bar took place at the Watershed Grill in Brackendale, outside of Squamish, B.C., Canada. The restaurant is located along Highway 99, about 30 minutes north of Vancouver.

Doc Mullins’ Medical Practice

Address: 122 1st St, New Westminster, BC V3L 2G2

Doc Mullins (aka Vernon Mullins) medical practice is in a Queen Anne-style home that has more than 6,000 square feet over four floors. The interior was built at the studio in Vancouver.

The interior filming took place in a studio in Vancouver. 

As a film enthusiast with a keen interest in the Virgin River series, I’ve done extensive research to uncover the real-life locations where the series was filmed. I’ve delved into the details of each location, from Mel’s log cabin to Jack’s bar, to bring you a comprehensive guide to the filming locations of Virgin River.

This guide is for all Virgin River fans, film enthusiasts, and travelers interested in visiting the real-life locations featured in the series. Whether you’re planning a Virgin River -themed trip or just curious about the filming locations, this guide is for you.

The Story

Virgin River is a series about a nurse practitioner who moves away from Los Angeles seeking a quieter life and a fresh start after her husband passes away unexpectedly. As a nurse, it is her duty to care for patients but she is also very concerned about the people around her. The love story with Jack is a dance through the first few seasons with many twists and turns.

Annette O'Toole and Alexandra Breckenridge in Virgin River

The series was inspired by a 20-book set written by Robyn Carr. As with most things Hollywood, creative license has allowed the storyline to expand into several different areas of drama with all the helpful neighbors. The series is loosely based on the book series. 

One thing that has been confirmed by one of the lead actors, Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel), is that there will never be a Covid case in Virgin River. It would seem that Covid won’t ever reach the heart of Virgin River!

The Cast

The main characters of the cast include Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel Monroe), Martin Henderson (Jack Sheridan), Tim Matheson (Doc), Ben Hollingsworth (Dan Brady), Annette O’Toole (Hope McCrea), Colin Lawrence (John Middleton), Lauren Hammersley (Charmaine Roberts), and Zibby Allen (Brie Sheridan).

The Director

The series has a number of directors depending on the episode. Directors include Jann Turner, Andy Mikita, Martin Wood, Gail Harvey, Tim Matheson, Monika Mitchell, Nimisha Mukerji, and Siobhan Devine. 

Tim Matheson also plays the character of Doc and prefers to be in front of the camera as opposed to behind it. 

Where is Virgin River set?

The primary location of the popular TV show, “Virgin River,” is in Northern California. The town where the show takes place is very similar to how it appears on the screen. The town of Virgin River is located near Lake Tahoe, about 60 miles north of Reno, Nevada. You’ll also hear references to Eureka, CA which is located a few hours from the fictional Virgin River.

Can I Visit the Virgin River Locations?

If you want to experience a little bit of the Virgin River series, head up to Vancouver. Snug Cove is on Bowen Island, Vancouver, BC, and is accessible by ferry. Bowen Island has tons of areas for tourists to explore. There are plenty of restaurants, hiking trails, kayaking in the many coves, and more. You can even book an Airbnb!

Snug Cove is a fictional town in British Columbia, Canada. It is based on Bowen Island, which is located just north of Victoria, BC. You can reach it via ferry from Horseshoe Bay, about 20 minutes away from downtown Victoria.

To get there, take the Ferry from Horseshoe bay, about 20 minutes away, and follow the signs.

Below is an interactive map of all the filming locations of Virgin River.

Is Virgin River a Real Place?

Technically, there is a Virgin River. That river runs through Utah, Nevada, and Arizona and has no connection to the series. 

Why Do People Love Virgin River?

In my opinion, people love Virgin River because of its multi-faceted characters. The characters all have their flaws and are very relatable. The series weaves through the morally perfect and the morally challenged. Of course, we know there’s no such thing as morally perfect but everyone needs a goal, right? Even in the fictional Virgin River!

While the Mel and Jack story is a prominent feature of the storyline, the other characters add depth to the series that gives everyone a chance to cheer for the redemption of their favorite character.

Virgin River is one of those “feel-good” programs that accomplishes two things. Each episode will leave you with a great cliffhanger that will instantly have you clicking on the next episode. And secondly, it’s a very heartwarming program where everyone looks out for each other. 

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6 Comments

  1. Is Jack’s Bar inspired by a real-life location? The detail in your article made me feel like I could just walk in and order a coffee! Would love to hear more about the inspirations behind these settings, Jay.

  2. I read somewhere that Mel’s log cabin is a set and not an actual cabin. Was surprised it wasn’t mentioned here. The magic of TV, right?

    1. Michelle-K, that’s interesting. It always looked too perfect to be real. I guess that’s what makes Virgin River so appealing to viewers.

  3. The director has done an incredible job capturing the essence of Virgin River. The locations, the atmosphere, everything feels so real and inviting. Truly inspiring for someone in the field.

  4. I’ve always wanted to visit the places where Virgin River was filmed! They look so peaceful. Anyone knows if there’s a tour or something?