It Was Always You filming locations in Victoria, BC

Aired in February 2021 as part of the Love Ever After theme for Valentine’s Day, the movie “It Was Always You” broke viewing record on Hallmark Channel. Highly anticipated by Erin Krakow‘s fans, the on-screen chemistry with her co-star, Tyler Hynes, convinced the audience. It is hard to believe that the two actors never met prior to the shooting. A sequel to this story, however ordinary but so adorable, has been expected and requested ever since. Filmed in Victoria on Vancouver Island, the scenery and landscapes are almost a character in the movie. While visiting Victoria this spring, I couldn’t help but make a few detours to the film’s locations. Find a Google map with all the places pinned at the end of this blog post!

Chintz and Company

This huge home decor store is simultaneously used as Elizabeth’s apartment, the bakery where she samples her wedding cake, and the store where she creates her wedding list with David. The customer parking lot and one of the entrances are seen at the beginning when George picks Elizabeth up to go to his parents’ house. Then the other side is on screen when David accompanies Elizabeth into town. The inside of the store has several distinct atmospheres which makes it the perfect place to simulate different locations. But you can still recognize the white tiled floor and the beautiful brick walls.

It’s definitely a must-see in the heart of Victoria’s historic Chinatown district. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the place even though I was a few meters away! A bit frustrating… I continue to search for it once back in Vancouver and I found the address.

---

Centre for wellbeing

Elizabeth and George’s dental office is a real one. It is located on the edge of the city of Victoria, so you will need a car to get there. As for whether the interior scenes were also shot inside, it is a mystery!

---

Ocean Boulevard

The infamous bridge at the entrance of the city of Echo Beach (which is not called Echo Beach at all)! Again, you’ll need a car to drive from Victoria to this beautiful scenic road. As you continue a few feet along the waterfront, you find yourself at the place where David picks up Elizabeth in his truck to drop her off in town.

George was finally so close but yet so far …

---

Flying Otter

For the record, I stumbled upon the establishment while walking on the Victoria harbor and I immediately recognized the sign featured in the movie. That’s when I checked to see if the shooting took place here and started my tour! The bar, located downtown, is used for the outdoor shots but also for all the indoor scenes. Everybody remembers the look on Elizabeth’s face when she first eats an oyster. Well, I was up for a seafood platter by the waterside in the sun, but I was disappointed to see that it wasn’t an oyster bar at all. Don’t look for the key lime pie either, it is not on the menu.

---

David and George’s childhood house

For the record, I found the location of this house almost 2 years after writing this post. While watching “Guiding Emily” I was struck by the fact that it is exactly the same house. Back then, I found it tedious to search for a waterfront house on Victoria Island without many clues. But after a few minutes of Google Satellite viewing, and thanks to an aerial shot in the movie that allows you to see the architecture of the houses in the area and the shape of the roof, I found it! It’s a private property in the fancy neighborhood of Oak Bay.

---

Chocolats Favoris

On this warm day of May, I could go for an ice cream. I wasn’t lucky enough to run into Tyler Hynes in the store and had to wait for half an hour. The popular Quebec chocolate factory franchise is the place where Elizabeth and David first met on screen. And for the occasion, the awning canvas had obviously been cleaned up! No need to make a detour to get there, Chocolats Favoris is located on the main shopping street of Victoria: Governement Street.

---

Old Tyme Candy Shoppe

While we are led to believe that Elizabeth and David are leaving the store and turning down another street to talk about their childhood memories, they are not. The two actors are in fact facing Chocolat Favoris. It’s the magic of film! You can’ t miss the beautiful and colorful facade of the candy store they are passing in front of. Be sure to take the time to admire the Victorian architecture of the buildings on this historic street. But also the iconic hundred-year-old street lamps of Victoria.

---

Saanich

I couldn’t end this article without mentioning David’s tree house. Despite a lot of digging (and being quite aware that it’s on private property) I couldn’t find the exact location. HOWEVER, you might be able to sleep in it! Indeed, the owners offer it as a free accommodation in exchange of some help catching up around their property. The gorgeous tree house is located in a forest in Saanich, but no further details are available. It’s up to you to do the rest now!

☟

If you want to follow in the footsteps of Erin Krakow and Tyler Hynes, here are all the locations previously mentioned on a map of Victoria, British Columbia. Feel free to share your journey with me in the comments.