Season 5 of Virgin River is officially here, and it’s packed with everything fans love: small-town romance, Hallmark-level drama, and a backdrop so picturesque it feels like its own character. Between Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson)’s chemistry and the sweeping mountain views, many viewers can’t help but wonder—can you actually visit Virgin River?
Is Virgin River a Real Place?
The answer, sadly, is no. The town is the invention of Virgin River book series author Robyn Carr, who describes it as an idealized community where neighbors lean on each other in times of need. “It’s utopian, it’s the perfect small town,” Carr told Entertainment Weekly in 2018. “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.”
In the novels and Netflix series, Virgin River is set in Northern California with a fictional population of about 600 people. But when it comes to filming, the production team went north—way north.
The Real Filming Locations
Instead of California, the show films across British Columbia, Canada, using a mix of small towns, natural landscapes, and studio sets around Vancouver.
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Jack’s Bar
The cozy heart of Virgin River is filmed at the Watershed Grill in Brackendale, a rustic restaurant perched on the Squamish River, about an hour north of Vancouver. While the exterior is real, all interior shots are filmed on a soundstage. -
Doc Mullins’ Clinic
Doc’s clinic is actually a private residence in Queen’s Park, New Westminster, a historic neighborhood full of Victorian homes. The house even hit the market for $2.3 million, drawing fans curious about owning a piece of TV history. -
Mel’s Cabin
Nestled in the woods on the show, Mel’s cabin is filmed in a Vancouver-area location that captures the essence of wilderness living, even though it’s just outside the city. -
Paige’s Bakeway
Scenes at Paige’s bakery were filmed in Port Coquitlam, one of the many small towns near Vancouver that stand in for Virgin River’s community hotspots. -
Other Filming Spots
The production also uses Bowen Island, Burnaby, and Squamish for establishing shots and outdoor sequences. Together, they create the illusion of one charming, tight-knit town.
A Fun Fact for Geography Buffs
While Virgin River the town is fictional, the Virgin River itself does exist—it’s a tributary of the Colorado River that flows through Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Unfortunately, you won’t find Jack’s bar or Doc’s clinic along its banks.
Visiting Virgin River in Real Life
So, while you can’t book a trip to Virgin River, you can walk in the same places where Mel, Jack, and Doc live out their drama. A weekend in Vancouver or a day trip to Bowen Island can bring you surprisingly close to the heart of Netflix’s cozy hit.
