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A Tour of 'Once Upon a Time's' Filming Locations

Filming outside Grannys Diner
Filming outside Granny's Diner | © Disney ABC Television Group / Flickr

ABC’s hit television show Once Upon a Time primarily films in the Greater Vancouver area in British Columbia, Canada. The seaside village of Steveston transforms into Storybrooke every season, but filming also occurs at different locations all over Vancouver. Here’s a tour of Once Upon a Time’s key filming locations.

Steveston

Steveston is a historic village in Richmond, which is south of downtown Vancouver and part of the Greater Vancouver area. Along its main street (Moncton Street), there are many buildings used for interior and exterior shots, such as Granny’s Diner and the library. Steveston’s waterfront is also visible in many scenes. Here’s a tour of “Storybrooke, Maine.”
Steveston, Richmond, BC, Canada

Storybrooke remains in Steveston, even when filming is wrapped

Granny’s Diner

A location used in a lot of scenes, Granny’s Diner is actually filmed in the Cannery Cafe. Apparently, the café makes an excellent breakfast when it isn’t standing in for Granny’s Diner.
Steveston Cannery Cafe, 3611 Moncton Street, Richmond, BC, Canada, +1 604 272 1222

Filming outside the Cannery Cafe

The Clock Tower and Library

Primarily used as the local library, this building is viewed quite a lot during Once Upon a Time. However, the production team has also displayed a CGI clock on the building’s front, turning it into a clock tower for some important scenes. The building used to be owned by Nikka Industries and was a fishing and marine supply shop, but the business is now closed.
Nikka Industries, 3551 Moncton Street, Richmond, BC, Canada

Once Upon a Time’s library building

Fisherman’s Wharf

Steveston’s waterfront wharf area and, in particular, Third Avenue Pier are used in many scenes, especially ones featuring Hook and his beloved ship, the Jolly Roger. A lot of contemplative moments happen along the water as well.
Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf, Bayview Street, Richmond, BC, Canada

Picturesque Fisherman’s Wharf

Mr. Gold’s Pawn Shop

Another key business on Moncton Street, Mr. Gold’s Pawn Shop is the only building ABC owns. It’s used exclusively for Once Upon a Time, and the windows are boarded up in between seasons.
3480 Moncton Street, Richmond, BC, Canada

Hook and Emma running through Storybrooke

Spur 4 Bridge

Located within North Vancouver’s remote mountain ranges, Spur 4 Bridge, and its surrounding riverside, features in various Once Upon a Time scenes, including a romantic picnic between David and Mary Margaret in the first season.
Spur 4 Bridge, North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Spur 4 Bridge

Fort Langley Community Hall

Located southeast of Vancouver, in Langley, this community hall is Storybrooke’s Town Hall, and its exterior shows up in many Once Upon a Time episodes.
Fort Langley Community Hall, 9167 Glover Road, Langley, BC, Canada, +1 604 897 5155

Fort Langley Community Hall

Central Park

No, not that Central Park. Located in Burnaby, which is next door to Vancouver, this Central Park is a filming location for many Vancouver-based TV shows. It’s been used on Once Upon a Time throughout the series, including more recent episodes with Frankenstein and the Doctor.
Central Park, Burnaby, BC, Canada, +1 604 294 7450

Burnaby’s Central Park

About the author

I'm an Australian freelance writer and travel blogger. I was born in Perth, grew up in Townsville and currently live in Melbourne. I write about my worldwide solo travel adventures and my former expat life in Canada on my blog, Hayley on Holiday (hayleyonholiday.com).

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