Where the Movie Twilight Was Filmed: A Fan’s Guide

The Twilight saga captured the imaginations of millions, not just for its supernatural romance but for its moody, atmospheric setting. The mist-shrouded forests, dramatic coastlines, and small-town charm of the Pacific Northwest became as much a character as Bella, Edward, or Jacob. But if you’ve ever wondered where the movie Twilight was filmed, you might be surprised to learn that the on-screen Forks, Washington, is a mosaic of several locations, primarily in Oregon and Washington. This guide will take you on a tour of the real-life places that brought the iconic story to life, from Forks High School to the dramatic cliffs of Volterra.

Key Takeaways

• Oregon Was the Star: While Twilight is set in Forks, Washington, the first movie was predominantly filmed in Oregon. Locations around Portland, St. Helens, and the Columbia River Gorge provided the backdrop for many key scenes.
• Forks: Inspiration vs. Reality: The real town of Forks, Washington, served as the book’s inspiration and has since embraced its Twilight fame. However, very little of the actual filming took place there. Fans can still visit and enjoy a town dedicated to the saga.
• Multiple Locations for Single Places: Iconic spots like Forks High School and Bella’s house were created using different locations for their exteriors and interiors, a common filmmaking practice.
• Italy in the Spotlight: The dramatic scenes set in Volterra, Italy, for New Moon were actually filmed in the picturesque Tuscan hill town of Montepulciano.
• Visiting is Possible: Many filming sites are publicly accessible, including state parks, towns, and restaurants. However, some key locations, like the Cullen house and Bella’s house, are private residences and must be respected from a distance.

Unpacking the Pacific Northwest: Why Oregon Stood In for Washington

When director Catherine Hardwicke set out to find the perfect locations, she needed a place that embodied the gloomy, ethereal beauty described in Stephenie Meyer’s novels. While Forks, Washington, provided the inspiration, the practicalities of filmmaking—such as production infrastructure, tax incentives, and accessibility—led the crew primarily to Oregon. This neighboring state offered the same lush greenery, perpetual cloud cover, and dramatic landscapes that were essential to the film’s visual identity.

The Search for the Perfect Atmosphere

The production team scouted extensively to find spots that felt authentic to the story. Oregon’s diverse scenery, from the roaring waterfalls of Silver Falls State Park to the historic downtown of St. Helens, provided a rich palette to create the world of Twilight. The Columbia River Gorge, in particular, offered breathtaking vistas that were used for key moments, including the iconic scene where Edward reveals his sparkling skin to Bella. This decision to film largely in Oregon allowed the crew to control the environment more effectively while staying true to the Pacific Northwest aesthetic that fans expected.

Logistical Advantages of Filming in Oregon

Beyond the visual match, filming near a major city like Portland provided significant logistical benefits. Access to experienced film crews, equipment rental houses, and a variety of urban and natural locations within a short drive made the production process smoother and more efficient. This concentration of resources is a major reason where the movie twilight was filmed ended up being a collection of Oregon towns rather than the more remote Olympic Peninsula. The state’s film-friendly policies also played a role, making it an attractive choice for the production company.

The Real Forks High School: A Tale of Two Schools

One of the most central locations in Bella Swan’s new life is Forks High School, where she first lays eyes on the mysterious Cullen family. Fans looking to walk the same halls might be surprised to learn that two different schools were used to bring this iconic location to life. This split between exterior and interior filming is a common technique used by filmmakers to achieve the perfect look for a scene.

Exterior Shots: Kalama High School, Washington

For the school’s exterior, the production team chose Kalama High School in Kalama, Washington. Its classic brick facade and the prominent “Home of the Chinooks” sign—partially covered for the film—provided the ideal small-town high school look. This is the location you see in the establishing shots and where Bella pulls up in her red truck on her first day.

• Location: Kalama High School, Kalama, WA
• Key Scenes: Bella’s arrival, parking lot encounters with the Cullens.
• Visiting Tip: Since this is an active school, visitors should only take photos from the public street and avoid visiting during school hours to respect the students and staff. The recognizable sign is a popular photo spot for fans.

Interior Scenes: Madison High School, Oregon

The interior scenes—the bustling hallways, the biology classroom where Bella and Edward first meet, and the cafeteria where she observes the Cullens—were filmed at Madison High School in Portland, Oregon. This school’s layout and interiors better suited the needs of the crew for filming complex dialogue and action scenes. This is a prime example of how movie magic pieces together different places to create a single, seamless location in the viewer’s mind. Exploring where the movie twilight was filmed often reveals these clever combinations.

Iconic Town Scenes: St. Helens and Vernonia, Oregon

While the story is set in Forks, the charming town seen on screen is actually a composite of several locations in Oregon. The historic towns of St. Helens and Vernonia provided the backdrop for Bella’s life outside of school, including her shopping trips and dining experiences.

St. Helens as “Port Angeles”

Remember the tense sequence where Bella goes to Port Angeles to shop for prom dresses and is cornered in a dark alley before Edward’s dramatic rescue? Those scenes were filmed in the historic riverfront town of St. Helens, Oregon. The town’s classic architecture and alleyways provided the perfect setting.

• The Bloated Toad Bookstore: The location for the “Thunderbird and Whale” bookstore where Bella shops was a real storefront in St. Helens, temporarily converted for the film. While the original business is gone, the building is still recognizable.
• The Alley Rescue: The alley where Edward saves Bella is located right in the historic downtown area, and fans frequently visit to reenact the iconic moment.
• The Italian Restaurant: The restaurant where Edward reveals he can read minds (except Bella’s) was filmed at a building that housed a business called “The Petite Jolie,” dressed to look like an Italian eatery for the scene.

Vernonia: The Reel-Life Forks

The small logging town of Vernonia, Oregon, stood in for the town of Forks in many of the wide shots that established the setting. The town’s main street and surrounding areas gave the film its authentic, small-town Pacific Northwest feel. When you see Bella driving her truck through “Forks,” you are often looking at the streets of Vernonia. The local atmosphere was so fitting that it became a key piece of the puzzle in determining where the movie twilight was filmed.

Key Character Locations: Bella’s House, The Cullen Residence, and More

Beyond the public spaces, the homes of the characters are central to the story. These locations were carefully chosen private residences in the Portland area, selected for how well they matched the descriptions in the books.

Bella Swan’s House

The modest, charming home where Bella lives with her father, Charlie, is a real house located in St. Helens, Oregon. This location became instantly recognizable to fans for its simple, two-story design and forested surroundings. The interiors, including Bella’s purple-walled bedroom, were also filmed inside this house, which is quite rare for a major film production. The home is now a popular tourist attraction and can even be rented for overnight stays, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the world of Twilight.

The Cullen House: A Modern Masterpiece

In stark contrast to Bella’s cozy home, the Cullen residence is a stunning, modern architectural marvel nestled in the woods. The house used for filming is a private residence located in Portland’s Forest Park, known locally as the “Hoke House.” Its extensive glass walls and seamless integration with nature made it the perfect home for a family of vampires trying to blend in while enjoying the outdoors.

• Respectful Visits: It is crucial to remember that this is a private home. Fans are asked to be respectful, view it only from the public road, and not trespass on the property. The owners have had to deal with significant trespassing issues over the years.
• A Different House for Sequels: It’s worth noting that a different, though similarly modern, house in British Columbia was used as the Cullen residence in the sequels.

The Carver Cafe: Where Bella and Charlie Eat

The small diner where Bella and Charlie frequently eat is a real restaurant called the Carver Cafe, located in Damascus, Oregon. This cozy spot has changed very little since filming and has become a pilgrimage site for fans. You can sit in the same booth where Bella and Charlie had their conversations and order a meal. The cafe proudly displays Twilight memorabilia, embracing its role in cinematic history and making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring where the movie twilight was filmed.

The Natural Wonders: Parks and Landscapes of Twilight

The breathtaking natural landscapes are at the heart of Twilight‘s visual identity. The filmmakers utilized several state parks and natural areas in Oregon and Washington to capture the wild, untamed beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

The lush, dense forests and cascading waterfalls seen in many of the film’s aerial shots and montages were filmed at Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon. This park, famous for its “Trail of Ten Falls,” provided the quintessential misty, green landscape that defines the region. Specific areas within the park were used for scenes where Bella and Edward are deep in the woods, highlighting the natural beauty that surrounds Forks. The park’s dense canopy and moss-covered trees created the perfect moody backdrop.

The Columbia River Gorge

The dramatic Columbia River Gorge, which separates Oregon and Washington, was the setting for several pivotal scenes.

• Baseball Scene: The epic vampire baseball game was filmed in a field within the gorge area known as “The Shire.” Though on private land, its general location offers stunning views that are characteristic of the film’s aesthetic.
• Edward’s Sparkle: The scene where Edward reveals his sparkling vampire skin to Bella in the sunlight was filmed at the Stone Cliff Inn property in Carver, Oregon, which overlooks the Clackamas River, a tributary of the Columbia. The rocky ledge and surrounding forest created a secluded, magical setting for this crucial moment.

La Push and the Quileute Reservation

While many Washington locations were substituted, the scenes set on the Quileute reservation’s beach, La Push, were filmed at a nearby location that captured its essence. The actual La Push is a real place and the spiritual center of the Quileute Tribe. For the movie, scenes of Jacob and Bella on the beach were shot at Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, Oregon. This beach, with its dramatic sea stacks and driftwood-strewn shore, was a near-perfect double for the real La Push, maintaining the wild and rugged coastal feel described in the books.

From Tuscany to Volterra: Filming in Italy

The saga took a dramatic turn in New Moon when Bella rushes to Italy to save Edward from the Volturi. While the story is set in the ancient city of Volterra, the filming actually took place in the nearby Tuscan town of Montepulciano.

Why Montepulciano Stood In for Volterra

The production team chose Montepulciano for logistical and aesthetic reasons. The town’s main square, the Piazza Grande, and its historic clock tower provided a grander and more cinematic setting for the pivotal St. Marcus Day festival scene. The narrow, winding streets and Renaissance-era architecture perfectly embodied the ancient, powerful world of the Volturi. Montepulciano was also more accommodating to a large-scale film production than the real Volterra might have been.

Key Scenes in Montepulciano

• The Yellow Porsche: Bella’s frantic drive through the crowded streets was filmed along the winding roads of Montepulciano.
• The Fountain: The large fountain that Bella runs through in the square was a prop, custom-built for the movie and placed in the center of the Piazza Grande.
• The Volturi’s Lair: The interiors of the Volturi’s headquarters were filmed inside the Palazzo del Comune (the town hall) and other historic buildings in Montepulciano, which were dressed to look like an ancient vampire castle.

Today, Montepulciano offers Twilight-themed tours that guide fans through the filming locations, making it a popular destination for those wanting to follow in Bella’s footsteps.

A Summary of Filming Locations

To help you plan your own Twilight tour, here is a table summarizing the key locations discussed.

Tips for Visiting the Twilight Filming Locations

Embarking on a tour of where the movie twilight was filmed can be a magical experience. To make the most of your trip, here are a few practical tips.

Best Time to Visit

The Pacific Northwest is famous for its rain, which is perfect for setting a Twilight mood. For the most pleasant travel experience, consider visiting during the late spring or summer (June-September) when the weather is milder and drier. However, visiting in the fall or winter will give you that authentic gloomy, misty atmosphere seen in the film.

Respectful Tourism

Many of the filming locations are either private homes or active businesses and schools. It is essential to be a respectful tourist.

• Private Residences: Never trespass on private property. Take photos from the public street and be mindful of the residents.
• Businesses and Schools: When visiting places like the Carver Cafe or Kalama High School, be considerate. Visit outside of peak business or school hours and always follow posted rules.
• Natural Parks: Stay on designated trails to protect the fragile ecosystem. Pack out everything you pack in and leave no trace.

The Economic Impact and Fan Tourism

The success of Twilight has had a significant and lasting economic impact on these small towns. The real town of Forks, Washington, has built an entire tourism industry around the books, hosting an annual “Forever Twilight in Forks” festival. Similarly, towns like St. Helens and Vernonia have seen a steady stream of fans, which helps support local businesses. As noted by some observers, similar to popular series covered by Forbes Planet, fan-driven tourism can revitalize local economies. When you visit and support local shops and restaurants, you are contributing to the communities that helped bring this beloved story to the screen.

Conclusion

The world of Twilight feels so real because it was filmed in real places, infused with the natural beauty and moody atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest. From the high schools of Washington and Oregon to the historic streets of a Tuscan hill town, the filmmakers skillfully pieced together a collection of locations to create the unforgettable settings of Forks and Volterra.

For fans, visiting these sites is more than just a movie tour; it’s a chance to step into the story and experience a piece of its magic firsthand. By understanding where the movie twilight was filmed, you can appreciate the incredible artistry that brought this supernatural saga to life and perhaps even plan your own adventure to walk in the footsteps of Bella and Edward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Was any of Twilight actually filmed in Forks, Washington?
No, despite being the setting of the books, none of the first Twilight movie was filmed in Forks. The production used locations in Oregon and other parts of Washington that were more accessible and better suited their logistical needs. However, the town of Forks has embraced its fame and is a wonderful place for fans to visit.

2. Can you visit the Cullen house?
The “Hoke House” in Portland, Oregon, which served as the Cullen residence, is a private home. You can view it from the public road, but you cannot enter the property. It is crucial to respect the owners’ privacy and not trespass.

3. Is the Italian restaurant from the movie real?
The location used for the Italian restaurant in “Port Angeles” was a building in St. Helens, Oregon, that was dressed up for the film. It is not a real, operating Italian restaurant. The Carver Cafe, however, where Bella and Charlie eat, is a real diner you can visit.

4. Where was the vampire baseball scene filmed?
The iconic baseball scene was filmed in a scenic field near the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. The area is sometimes referred to as “The Shire” and is on private land, so it is not generally accessible to the public, but the surrounding Gorge area offers similar beautiful landscapes.

5. Is Volterra a real place in Italy?
Yes, Volterra is a real and historic city in Tuscany. However, the movie scenes set in Volterra were actually filmed in the nearby town of Montepulciano because its main square and architecture were considered more cinematic for the St. Marcus Day festival scene.

6. What’s the best way to see all the filming locations?
The best way is to plan a road trip through Oregon and southern Washington. Many of the key locations, such as St. Helens, Vernonia, Silver Falls State Park, and the Carver Cafe, are within a few hours’ drive of Portland. You can find maps and guides online created by fans that pinpoint the exact addresses.

7. Why do movies use different locations for interiors and exteriors?
Filmmakers often choose one building for its exterior look and another for its interior because it gives them more control. An exterior might fit the story’s setting perfectly, but the interior might be too small, too modern, or otherwise unsuitable for filming. Using a soundstage or a different interior location allows the crew to manage lighting, sound, and camera movement more effectively.