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Vancouver
Photo: Kazutoshi Yoshimura 

Visit the Fairytale Town of Virgin River… Also Known As Vancouver

Reminiscent of a juicy Hallmark flick, Netflix’s romance drama Virgin River is capturing the hearts of critics and consumers around the world. The show follows nurse practitioner Melinda Monroe, a recent widow who moves to Virgin River, California to accept a position as a midwife. While she’s there, she must come to terms with her painful past before she can truly call the town home – and yes, a love interest quickly sizzles to the forefront.

Many people have fallen in love with Virgin River, a utopian town that exists more in our desires than in reality – but just because it’s fictional doesn’t mean you can’t visit the scenic surroundings in real life. In fact, the “town” is actually an amalgamation of filming locations in and around Vancouver. Read on for our Virgin River self-guided itinerary.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“No one ever steps into the same river twice, for it is not the same river and they are not the same person.” - Heraclitus⁠ ⁠ New Moon in Aquarius.⁠ ⁠ Recently, I’ve been thinking about genius. It’s a word casually thrown around, particularly within the Aquarian realm, and is usually saved for those few and far between who are seemingly “lucky” enough to possess it.⁠ ⁠ There comes a moment in most Astrological journeys where one realizes with surprise that Aquarius is not ruled by the element of water, but air. (S)he is the water-bearer. In communion with the water but not within it. Detached, but not separate.⁠ ⁠ The water symbolizes the collective consciousness - the cosmic field that documents all, and we are all free to borrow, share, or exchange from this intelligent library. Perhaps the entire image of the lone genius is a myth, as it’s really, and always, a co-creation. Whether channeled, made up with your best friend in the basement, inspired by your muse, provoked by your competitor, or an “aha!” moment after mindless Internet searching, the creative process is a dialogue.⁠ ⁠ The best way to learn is to create. Whether genius shows up within the small step or giant leaps - it’s steady work; full of revisions, edits, mishaps, accidental successes, and synchronistic chances. Inventor James Dyson, known for his Dyson vacuum, created 5,000 prototypes over 5 years to perfect the cyclone-based technology, and said this: “I’m a huge failure because I made 5,126 mistakes.”⁠ ⁠ Perhaps the vast majority of genius’s composition is tenacity and an unwillingness to compromise potential for comfort. Genius is not just inventive for the sake of production, but evolution. Thus Aquarians can be deemed “cold” because they more easily access the realm beyond duality - the true state of observation is to listen without agenda, and realize that truth refuses to take a side. ⁠ ⁠ Today, try this mantra on for size and see where it takes you: “I am not the breath or the feeling, I am that which is behind the mind, body, and senses. I am the witness, and from this view, I understand.”⁠ ⁠ Moon blessings,⁠ ⁠ xx @maya.doytchinova ⁠ ⁠ 📸 : @holoscenephotos⁠ ⁠ #nectaryoga⁠⁠

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Snug Cove, Bowen Island An easy 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver direct to Snug Cove, Bowen Island is a small municipality situated in the middle of Howe Sound. Widely known as an idyllic escape promoting relaxation and wellness, Bowen Island is filled with retreat-inspired experiences, ranging from yoga and massages to sea kayaking, hiking, horseback riding and scuba diving. Snug Cove anchors the show as the fictional town of Virgin River, with establishing shots including the local library, main streets and Artisan Lane.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Where’s your favourite place for a weekend walk in #Squamish? 📷: @smashtacular #ExploreSquamish

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Squamish  The Watershed Grill served as the film site for exterior shots of Virgin River’s central gathering space, owned by Melinda’s love interest, Jack Sheridan. The restaurant boasts sweeping views of Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park and the mountains looming in the distance. Scenes between Melinda and Jack were also filmed in Squamish, near the river; and the show’s waterfall scenes were filmed at Shannon Falls Provincial Park, a 10-minute drive from Squamish along the Sea to Sky Highway, one of the most stunning highway drives in the world.

 

Burnaby  A scene featuring a local food truck was filmed in Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park, a half-hour drive from downtown Vancouver. The riverside park is a scenic place to spend an afternoon, boasting a playground pirate ship, leafy trees perfect for picnicking, and sprawling lawns where you can bring your bocci or croquet sets. Filming also took place at Deer Lake Park, with the Mayor of Virgin River’s house situated along Deer Lake Drive; and in the community picnic areas behind Hart House. The latter is an idyllic place to stop for a cup of tea or West Coast-inspired lunch, situated in a charming heritage house with manicured lawns and gardens that often host warm-weather weddings.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Virgin River Cast.

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Port Coquitlam  Also a half-hour drive from Vancouver, Port Coquitlam is located on the north banks of the Fraser and Pitt rivers. Here, Virgin River crews filmed inside locally loved businesses like Samz Pub, which appears as a pub visited by Melinda and Jack; and In a Wink Beautique, which plays a hairdressing salon.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What are they thinking? #VirginRiver

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North Vancouver  The Virgin River crew also filmed at Murdo Frazer Cabin in North Vancouver, which plays Melinda’s new home in Virgin River; the cabin has formerly appeared in Facebook’s thrilling Sacred Lies, as well as Once Upon a Time, The Flash and Supernatural. After snapping a selfie with the cabin, continue north towards Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, two of Vancouver’s most popular attractions.

Love romance titles? Check out our self-guided itinerary for Netflix’s popular To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, whose second instalment – To All the Boys: PS I Still Love You – was released on February 13.