Is Virgin River a real place? (Does Virgin River, California exist?)

A new season of Virgin River is streaming now on Netflix and has once again reminded us just how beautiful the backdrop of the series is.

The picturesque town that serves as the backdrop and inspiration for the show’s name never fails to take one’s breath away what with its beautiful landscapes and peaceful views. The show does a truly stunning job of pulling you in and making you want to book a trip to Virgin River to unplug and take in the beauty that is the quaint Southern California town.

It’s easy to see yourself enjoying a hike through the woods, cozying up with a book by the fireplace of your cabin, or dropping by to see some friendly faces at Jack’s bar.

There’s just something magical about the town, which is why many fans find themselves asking whether it’s a real destination they can visit with their family. So can you book a trip to Virgin River, California, or is it yet another example of a fictional town created for the purpose of a show?

Is Virgin River real?

Sadly, you will not find Virgin River on a map of the US as it’s a fictional town created within the pages of the books by Robin Carr which inspired the series. That’s right, the town of Virgin River, California does not exist and is not a real city or town within California.

It’s not uncommon for authors to create fictional towns to serve as the backdrop of their stories as this is a practice many authors use across all genres.

While you won’t find Virgin River on a map of California, you can technically still visit the picturesque town that serves as the backdrop for Netflix’s hit series! The series is filmed up North in Canada, with Vancouver and British Columbia serving as the backdrop of the series.

Interestingly, there is a Virgin River which is a tributary of the Colorado River that flows through the states of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona and was designated Utah’s first wild and scenic river back in 2009. It’s just not the town you see featured within Netflix’s beloved drama.

Virgin River is streaming now on Netflix.