Many people find the fresh retelling of this supernatural tale captivating. Some of them also wish to explore the places where Bella once roamed. So it’s natural for the fans of the series to wonder where was twilight filmed. To help you, here’s a compilation of the most sought-after “Twilight” movie locations that you can still visit in the Pacific Northwest.

Where Was Twilight Filmed?

Stephenie Meyer’s highly successful series is set in the Olympic Peninsula. But none of the filmings for the movie adaptations took place in that region. Surprisingly, only two significant locations in Washington state were utilized. And not a single scene was shot in the actual town of Forks.

Nevertheless, if you were to visit Forks today, you would notice a prominently displayed old, red truck in front of the local chamber of commerce. The film incorporated various elements of Washingtonian culture. These include things such as mentioning “Vitamin R” and Red Vines. But the crew filmed the on-screen depictions of Forks and La Push in Oregon and British Columbia.

Edward’s Backyard

Another remarkable “Twilight” scene filmed within Washington State showcases Cape Horn, WA. In this scene, Edward takes Bella on a thrilling tree-climbing and flying escapade through the treetops. It was filmed in Skamania County. If you visit the Cape Horn Overlook, you’ll be able to appreciate the breathtaking view of the Columbia River from a lower vantage point.

Spanning over 9,000 acres, this expansive forested paradise boasts a plethora of natural wonders. These include waterfalls, caves, and an abundance of wildlife (cue the werewolf jokes). Moreover, the area showcases the most stunning and vibrant plant and animal life you can imagine. In essence, it provides the ideal backdrop for Edward to whisk Bella away to the heights of a towering tree.

Forks High School

The exterior of the Spartans’ residence, along with the iconic school parking lot scene where Edward rescues Bella, was filmed at Kalama High School in Kalama, Washington. However, starting from the second film, the production relocated to the Vancouver, B.C. region. David Thompson Secondary School stood in for Forks High School in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”

Forks Prom

You might remember the climactic scene in “Twilight,” featuring a dreamy, Monte Carlo-themed dance in a twinkling gazebo. The crew shot the scene at the View Point Inn in Corbett, Oregon. Sadly, a fire in 2011 resulted in the loss of the inn’s second floor. 

Note that the inn holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places. So there is optimism within the Portland community that restoration efforts can bring it back to its former glory.

Carver Cafe (Damascus, OR)

One of the most heartfelt scenes set in Forks takes place at the Carver Cafe, a charming little diner. There is good news for devoted Twihards seeking to satisfy their hunger (pun intended). The good news is that this cafe exists in the delightful town of Damascus, Oregon.

Surrounded by majestic evergreen trees, the cafe offers an opportunity to sit in the same spot where Bella and her father Charlie once enjoyed a meal. You can even indulge in Bella’s preferred garden burger. Additionally, you can savor the official dessert of the Pacific Northwest, the delectable berry cobbler.

 La Push Beach (Cannon Beach, OR)

The “La Push” beach in the film is actually Indian Beach, situated within Ecola State Park between Seaside and Cannon Beach. This entire area is incredibly stunning. This makes it challenging to fully convey the dramatic atmosphere experienced while standing on the beach under the ever-shifting sky.

However, watching Twilight serves as a close substitute for being there. This allows you to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of the surroundings.

The Cullen House (Portland, OR) and the Swan House (St. Helens, OR)

Bella Swan’s (portrayed by Kristen Stewart) house in the movie is a charming white clapboard residence. It’s located in the picturesque town of St. Helens, Oregon. On the other hand, the modern mansion of Edward Edward and his vampire family is 30 miles away in Portland. This proximity implies that Edward, being an incredibly swift vampire, could reach Bella’s window within minutes.

We acknowledge that Twilight is a work of fiction, and vampires and eternal love may not be real. Nevertheless, these intricate details contribute to the story’s realism and captivate our hearts. We have to give credit must to the location scouts as well. The architectural designs of these homes speak volumes about their occupants without needing any dialogue.

Let’s consider the Cullen residence as an example: its striking angular structure, filled with pale light, perfectly embodies Edward’s persona, combining a captivating allure with an air of cold beauty. In a way, the house itself becomes a tangible representation of Edward, akin to a brick-and-mortar manifestation of his character.

Vampire Baseball

During the Cullen family’s thunder baseball game, a magnificent waterfall appears in the background. Although Washington boasts its fair share of breathtaking waterfalls, the actual cascade seen on screen is Oregon’s iconic Multnomah Falls, located in the scenic Columbia River Gorge.

Dress Shopping

The town of St. Helens, Oregon, served as a substitute for Port Angeles and its charming shops in the movie. If you observe closely through the shop window during the iconic prom dress scene, you’ll catch a glimpse of the St. Helens city hall, which interestingly also appeared in Disney’s “Halloweentown.”

Thunderbird & Whale (St. Helens, OR)

The scene where Bella purchases a book on Quileute Legends is a delightful homage to book enthusiasts and bookstore lovers. It unfolds as Bella, determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding the “cold ones,” skips over Amazon and instead stumbles upon the charming independent bookstore called Thunderbird & Whale in Port Angeles, Washington.

This moment resonates with bookstore nerds, as Bella’s decision to explore this small indie shop adds a touch of authenticity and warmth to the story. Unfortunately, the reality is that the Thunderbird & Whale store exists solely within Stephenie Meyer’s creative imagination, and the physical location depicted in the scene is, surprisingly, a lawyer’s office in St. Helens, Oregon.

Conclusion: Where Was Twilight Filmed

Contrary to Bella’s depiction of Forks as a perpetually cloudy and rainy place, the filming of Twilight did not take place in the actual town of Forks. Instead, the chosen locations were situated near Forks, predominantly in Washington and Oregon.