10 Forbidden Filming Locations Of Twilight: The Secret Oregon & Washington Road Trip Guide For 2024

The global phenomenon of the Twilight Saga, based on the novels by Stephenie Meyer, cemented its place in pop culture with the release of the first film in 2008. While the story is famously set in the perpetually misty town of Forks, Washington, the reality of movie magic tells a different tale. As of late December 2025, fans planning a pilgrimage to the Pacific Northwest must know that the majority of the original movie’s production was actually captured hundreds of miles away in the lush, rain-soaked landscapes of Oregon, with only a few key scenes shot in Washington State. This guide reveals the true, up-to-date locations of the first film, offering a comprehensive roadmap for the ultimate *Twilight* road trip, from iconic vampire mansions to a house you can actually rent.

The director, Catherine Hardwicke, and the production team chose the Portland, Oregon metro area for its logistical ease and similar atmospheric feel to the Olympic Peninsula’s dense forests. This decision means the most iconic spots—including the Cullen family’s modern dwelling and Bella Swan’s humble home—are not where the books place them. Understanding the distinction between the fictional setting of Forks and the real-life Oregon and Washington filming locations is the first step in unlocking the series' cinematic secrets.

The Immortal Homes: Cullen and Swan Residences

The two most sought-after locations for any *Twilight* fan are the homes of the star-crossed lovers. Unlike the dreary, fictional Forks, these residences are found in the more affluent or quaint suburbs of Oregon.

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• The Cullen House (The Hoke House):
• Real Location: 3333 NW Quimby St, Portland, Oregon 97210.
• Current Status: This stunning, sleek modern home, known locally as the Hoke House, is private property and not open to the public. Designed by architect Jeff Kovel of Skylab Architecture, its glass walls and open design perfectly captured the Cullens' sophisticated, immortal lifestyle. Fans are strongly advised to view the exterior respectfully from the street to honor the owners' privacy.
• Scene: The famous scene where Bella first visits the Cullen home and meets Dr. Carlisle Cullen and Esme Cullen, as well as the initial family confrontation about her human scent.
• Bella Swan's House (The Swan House):
• Real Location: 184 S 6th St, St. Helens, Oregon 97051.
• Current Status: In a rare treat for fans, this charming 1930s residence is now a vacation rental available on Airbnb. The owners have meticulously decorated the interior to match the film, allowing fans to sleep in Bella's room, sit at Charlie Swan's dinner table, and even find cutouts of the movie's stars, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, inside. This is one of the most accessible and immersive *Twilight* locations.
• Scene: All interior and exterior shots of Bella and Charlie's home life, including the arrival scene and her first day of school.

The Forks High School and Town of Vernonia

The small town atmosphere of Forks, Washington, was predominantly recreated by a lesser-known town in Oregon, with the high school scenes split between two different locations.

Vernonia, Oregon: The Stand-In for Forks

The town of Vernonia, Oregon, located west of Portland, was used for many of the exterior shots meant to represent the main street of Forks. The production crew utilized the town’s naturally rustic and perpetually overcast look to match the book’s description of the Olympic Peninsula.

• Forks Police Station (Wauna Federal Credit Union): This building in Vernonia stood in for Charlie Swan's workplace.
• "Forks" Sign: The iconic welcome sign for Forks, Washington, was filmed on a road just outside of Vernonia.
• Newton's Olympic Outfitters: The exterior of the outdoor store where Bella works was also filmed in Vernonia.

The Schools: Kalama and Portland

The high school setting, a central hub for the early drama, was an amalgamation of two different campuses.

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• Forks High School Exterior (Kalama High School): The exterior shots of the school, including the parking lot where Edward Cullen famously saves Bella from a sliding van, were filmed at Kalama High School in Kalama, Washington. This location is one of the few scenes filmed in Washington State.
• Forks High School Interior (Madison High School): All interior classroom and hallway scenes were actually filmed at Madison High School (now McDaniel High School) in Portland, Oregon.

Key Cinematic Moments: From Diner to Prom Night

The most memorable scenes in the film, which cemented the relationship between Bella and Edward, took place at highly specific, real-life locations across the Columbia River Gorge area.

• Carver Cafe (The Diner):
• Real Location: 16471 SE Highway 224, Damascus, Oregon.
• Current Status: This is a genuine, operational diner that is still open for business. Bella and Charlie's regular spot, where she first sees Edward's mysterious behavior and where she asks Charlie about the Cullens, was filmed here. The diner embraces its *Twilight* fame and is a must-visit spot for fans of the movie and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg’s script.
• The Prom Scene (View Point Inn):
• Real Location: Corbett, Oregon, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge.
• Current Status: The historic View Point Inn, the site of the romantic prom night gazebo scene, suffered a devastating fire in 2011. While the main structure is gone, the property's incredible, sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge remain a breathtaking, albeit melancholic, destination. Updates in 2024 suggest ongoing efforts to restore or rebuild the property, but the original building from the film is unfortunately lost.
• The Ballet Studio (Yale Union Building):
• Real Location: 800 SE 10th Ave, Portland, Oregon.
• Scene: The tense, climactic confrontation between Bella and the nomadic vampire James was filmed in this historic industrial building.
• First Vampire Baseball Scene (Oxbow Regional Park):
• Real Location: Gresham, Oregon.
• Scene: Though the iconic baseball scene was filmed in a variety of locations, a significant portion of the forest and river scenes were captured in this park's vicinity.
• The Forest Fight Scene (Silver Falls State Park):
• Real Location: Sublimity, Oregon.
• Scene: The lush, moss-covered forests of Silver Falls State Park were used for the incredible, high-speed forest sequence where Edward demonstrates his vampiric abilities to Bella. The park is a popular spot for hiking and features numerous waterfalls, providing the perfect Pacific Northwest backdrop.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

For fans and cinematic tourists, the *Twilight* filming locations offer a fascinating look at how the fictional world of Stephenie Meyer was brought to life by director Catherine Hardwicke and the Summit Entertainment production team. The original film, released in 2008, established a unique visual aesthetic that blended the gloom of the Pacific Northwest with the supernatural elements of the story. The choice to film primarily in Oregon, rather than Forks, Washington, was a pragmatic decision based on tax incentives and infrastructure, a common practice in Hollywood filmmaking.

When planning your trip, remember to differentiate between the book's setting (Forks, La Push, Olympic Peninsula) and the movie's production sites (Portland, St. Helens, Vernonia, Kalama, Damascus, Corbett). While Forks, Washington, fully embraces its literary fame with dedicated *Twilight* tourism, the actual movie locations are spread across two states. Whether you’re staying at the Twilight Swan House Airbnb or respectfully viewing the Hoke House from the street, this cinematic road trip is a journey into the heart of the Pacific Northwest's enduring vampire lore, a testament to the cultural impact of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan.

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Relevant Entities and LSI Keywords:

• Stephenie Meyer (Author)
• Catherine Hardwicke (Director)
• Melissa Rosenberg (Screenwriter)
• Summit Entertainment (Production Company)
• Forks, Washington (Fictional Setting)
• Portland, Oregon (Primary Filming Hub)
• St. Helens, Oregon (Bella's House Location)
• Vernonia, Oregon (Forks Town Stand-In)
• Kalama, Washington (High School Exterior)
• Columbia River Gorge (Scenic Backdrop)
• Hoke House (Cullen Residence)
• Carver Cafe (Diner)
• View Point Inn (Prom Scene)
• Silver Falls State Park (Forest Scenes)
• Olympic Peninsula (Book Setting)
• Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan)
• Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen)
• Vampire Baseball
• Pacific Northwest Tourism
• The Hoke House Address
• Twilight Swan House Airbnb Rental
• McDaniel High School (Madison High School)
• Charlie Swan's Police Station
• James the Tracker (Nomadic Vampire)
• Principal Photography Schedule