By Patrick Cremona

Published: Wednesday, 20 July 2022 at 12:00 am


The fourth season of Virgin River has arrived on Netflix, with Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson returning to play fan-favourite couple Mel and Jack.

It’s been a while since we last checked in with the tight-knit Californian community and there’s a lot that needs addressing, from the paternity of Mel’s pregnancy and Hope being back in Virgin River to who shot Jack (with all being revealed in the season 4 finale).

While life in Virgin River is messy at times, fans get to watch the drama unfold against the town’s beautiful backdrop – but is Virgin River a real place and if not, where is it filmed?

Here’s everything you need to know about the filming locations for Virgin River season 4.

Is Virgin River a real place?

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Mel and Jack in Virgin River season 4
Netflix

In the series, Virgin River is a remote town located in northern California with small, tight-knit population.

Unfortunately for fans hoping to visit the idyllic-looking town, Virgin River is not a real place – so don’t book your plane ticket just yet. Filming for the series takes place predominantly in Vancouver, Canada.

Where is Virgin River set?

Virgin River might be so well-realised that it feels like a real place to some fans, but it is actually an entirely fictional town.

Unfortunately, no town called Virgin River actually exists in Northern California, so if you’re looking to follow in Mel’s footsteps by starting a new life in a remote town, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Robyn Carr, who wrote the popular novels on which the series is based, previously told Entertainment Weekly she is frequently asked where the town is, saying she has “to remind them that it only exists in our hearts and mind”.

Where is Virgin River filmed?

Despite the fact the series is set in California, the bulk of filming for the series actually takes place in Vancouver, Canada while other locations used include Burnaby, Port Coquitlam and Breckendale.

According to Conde Nast Traveller, “typical small-town scenes in the region” are used for establishing shots of the town, with the Welcome to Virgin River shot on Pioneer Avenue in Agassiz.

Meanwhile, British Columbia’s Snug Cove is another location used – with Virgin River becoming the latest project to be shot at the site following films including Bird On A Wire, the 2006 remake of The Wickerman and last year’s The Uninvited.

Believe it or not, Mel’s cabin is actually a real home – and is currently lived in by the caretaker of Murdo Frazer Park in North Vancouver, while Doc’s home is a five-bedroom Victorian house in New Westminster.

Virgin River series 1-4 are currently streaming on Netflix. You can order Robyn Carr’s books on Amazon. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the best TV series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide