The Real-Life Twilight Saga: 10 Iconic Filming Locations You Can Still Visit Today

For millions of fans worldwide, the fictional town of Forks, Washington, is the misty, rain-drenched heart of the *Twilight Saga* universe. However, the cinematic reality is far more spread out and intriguing than a single town on the Olympic Peninsula. As of December 2025, the actual filming locations for the five movies—*Twilight*, *New Moon*, *Eclipse*, *Breaking Dawn* Part 1, and *Breaking Dawn* Part 2—span across two US states, a Canadian province, and even South America, creating an epic road trip for any dedicated Twi-hard. The vast majority of the first film was shot in the Pacific Northwest, specifically utilizing the moody, overcast landscapes of Oregon and a few spots in Southwest Washington, chosen for their perfect resemblance to the atmosphere described in Stephenie Meyer's novels. While Forks is a real town that has embraced its fame, most of the iconic scenes you remember were filmed hundreds of miles away, transforming ordinary homes and high schools into the backdrop of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen’s epic romance.

The Pacific Northwest: Where the Original Twilight Movie Was Truly Filmed

The original 2008 film, *Twilight*, established the visual tone for the entire series, relying heavily on the dark, lush forests and perpetually gray skies of the region. The production team opted for locations that were more logistically accessible than remote Forks, Washington.

1. Bella Swan's House (The Twilight Swan House)

The humble, two-story house where Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) moves in with her father, Charlie Swan, is not in Forks at all. The actual building is located in St. Helens, Oregon, a small, historic town north of Portland.

• Location: 184 South 6th Street, St. Helens, Oregon.
• Current Status: The home is privately owned but famously available to rent on Airbnb, making it a major pilgrimage site for fans where you can sleep in "Bella's bedroom."
• Scene Significance: This location was used for all exterior and interior shots of the Swan residence in the first movie.

2. The Cullen Family House (The Hoke House)

The Cullens' glass-walled, modern mansion, a masterpiece of Northwest contemporary architecture, is one of the most recognizable locations in the entire saga. Known to architects as the Hoke House, this residence is a private home in an upscale neighborhood.

• Location: 3333 NW Quimby Street, Portland, Oregon.
• Scene Significance: Featured prominently in the first film, this is where Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) introduces Bella to his "vegetarian" vampire family, including Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett.
• Important Note: Because it is a private residence in the Willamette Heights neighborhood, fans are strongly encouraged to view it only from the street to respect the owners' privacy.

3. Forks High School

The scenes of Bella’s first day at Forks High School were split between two different locations, neither of which was the real Forks High School.

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• Exterior Shots: The exterior of the school, including the parking lot where the iconic "car scene" takes place, was filmed at Kalama High School in Kalama, Washington.
• Interior Shots: All of the interior classroom and cafeteria scenes were filmed at Madison High School (now Leodis V. McDaniel High School) in Portland, Oregon.

4. The Prom Scene Location

The romantic, gazebo-set prom scene at the end of *Twilight* was filmed at the historic View Point Inn in Corbett, Oregon. This location offers stunning, panoramic views overlooking the Columbia River Gorge.

• Location: Corbett, Oregon.
• Current Status: The Inn suffered a devastating fire in 2011 and has been undergoing a lengthy restoration, but the viewpoint overlooking the Gorge remains a beautiful and recognizable spot for fans.

Key Locations That Brought Forks and La Push to Life

While the main production was centered around Portland, a few other crucial locations in Oregon and Washington were used to capture the unique atmosphere of the Olympic Peninsula.

5. La Push Beach

The moody, rocky beach where Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) first tells Bella the Quileute legends about the "cold ones" (vampires) is meant to be La Push, Washington. However, the scene was actually filmed at Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, near Cannon Beach, Oregon.

6. The Diner and Truck Stop

The scene where Bella and Charlie eat at the local diner was filmed at the Carver Cafe in Clackamas, Oregon. This location is still in operation and is a popular stop for fans.

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The iconic scene where Bella’s truck is nearly crushed by a sliding van was filmed in the small town of Vernonia, Oregon, which served as a stand-in for many of the general town shots of Forks.

7. The Vampire-Human Baseball Scene

The exhilarating, rain-soaked baseball game between the Cullen family and the nomadic vampires was filmed deep within Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, known for its extensive trails and lush, old-growth forest.

Beyond the First Film: The Global Twilight Saga Filming Locations

As the *Twilight Saga* grew in budget and scope, the production moved north, utilizing the extensive film industry resources of Canada, and even traveled abroad for the most romantic scenes.

8. New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn (Vancouver, Canada)

The majority of the remaining four films—*New Moon*, *Eclipse*, and *Breaking Dawn* Parts 1 & 2—were primarily filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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• Why the Move? The move was largely for financial and logistical reasons, as Vancouver offers significant tax incentives and diverse filming locations that can easily double for the Pacific Northwest.
• Key Canadian Locations: Specific locations include the University of British Columbia (UBC) for school scenes, and various parks and forests on Vancouver Island and in Squamish, such as Stawamus Chief Provincial Park for the rock-climbing scenes in *Breaking Dawn - Part 2*.
• The Volturi: The scenes set in Volterra, Italy, for *New Moon* were actually filmed in Montepulciano, Italy, but the interior Volturi chamber scenes were shot on a soundstage in Vancouver.

9. Breaking Dawn: Honeymoon and Wedding (Brazil and Louisiana)

The final two films, which cover the wedding and honeymoon, required more exotic locales.

• Isle Esme Honeymoon: The romantic, secluded island where Bella and Edward spend their honeymoon was filmed in Paraty, Brazil, near Rio de Janeiro. The house itself is a real-life, luxurious private residence on a remote beach.
• Wedding Preparations: The final films also had significant production time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where soundstages were used for many interior scenes, including the wedding preparations and Bella’s traumatic transformation.

10. Forks, Washington: The Town That Inspired It All

Although the movies were not primarily filmed there, the real Forks, Washington, remains the spiritual and cultural home of the *Twilight Saga*. The town has fully embraced its fame, offering a unique fan experience on the Olympic Peninsula.

• Must-Visit Spots: You can visit the real-life Forks High School (which has a sign welcoming fans), the Forks Community Hospital (with a reserved parking spot for "Dr. Cullen"), and the Forever Twilight in Forks Collection at the Rainforest Arts Center, which displays actual costumes and props from the films.
• Tourism: The town’s atmosphere and proximity to the stunning Olympic National Park and the real La Push beach (First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach) offer a genuine connection to the misty, isolated world that Stephenie Meyer first created.