The new season of Virgin River has finally been released on Netflix and, with the return of Ricky, Lizzie and Denny's baby and, of course, Jack and Mel's wedding, season 6 is truly a treat!

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However, as this is Virgin River, there's a healthy dose of drama to ensure the residents of the town are kept on their toes. Last season saw the town rally together as wildfires ripped through the remote California town, including Lilly's farm, which is set to get a brand new location in season 6.

But is Virgin River a real place or one of fiction? Here's everything you need to know about where the hit Netflix romantic drama is filmed.

Where is Virgin River filmed?

Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea holding a horse as she looks up at it.
Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea in Virgin River. Netflix

Despite the fact the series is set in California, the bulk of filming for the series actually takes place in Vancouver, Canada, where the lush scenery and stunning rivers are perfect for setting the romantic scene for the Netflix series.

Other locations used also include Burnaby, Port Coquitlam and Squamish.

Here's a brief overview of some of the real-life locations used to film Virgin River (source: Glamour):

  • Fraser River
  • Port Coquitlam
  • Murrin Provincial Park
  • Squamish
  • Pitt Meadows

Virgin River's Main Street is actually filmed in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, whose historic downtown area has the perfect small-town feel.

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 Wicker Man and 2009'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 Fraser Park in North Vancouver, while Doc's home is a five-bedroom Victorian house in New Westminster.

Is Virgin River a real place?

Tim Matheson and Annette O'Toole as Doc and Hope, snuggling each other.
Tim Matheson and Annette O'Toole as Doc and Hope. 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".

However, Carr does believe the feel of Virgin River can be just about anywhere.

"But to further that thought, we can have that sense of community in our own neighbourhood or school or church group or community centre or library association," she added. "All we have to do is try to create it."

Virgin River season 6 will be available to stream on Thursday 19th December on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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To find out what else is on, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our dedicated Drama hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Patrick Cremona, RadioTimes.com's senior film writer looking at the camera and smiling
Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.

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