“Chesapeake Shores” was created by John Tinker and Nancey Silvers and is an exciting family drama series adapted from Sheryl Woods’ eponymous 10-book mystery series. The story takes place in the title town on Maryland Bay and centers around the influential O’Brien family.
The story begins with divorced older sister Abby returning to her hometown from New York to rescue her sister’s inn, which is about to close. Abby has to rethink an open chapter in her romantic life when she reconnects with her former love, Trace Riley. Meanwhile, the story deepens when Abby’s isolated mother returns to town. After its launch in August 2016, Hallmark’s original show spawned five seasons to great fanfare and critical approval. With a great cast and strong chemistry, the show has become a feast for the eyes for the Hallmarkies. If you’re curious about the cast and locations of the show, allow us to keep you updated.
Chesapeake Shores filming locations
‘Chesapeake Shores’ is filmed entirely in Canada, particularly British Columbia. Filming for the fifth season began in April 2021 and lasted until July of that year. Although the story allegedly takes place in Maryland, producers found it inexpensive to shoot the show in Northern Hollywood. Let yourself now be guided to the respective locations of the show!
Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
Most of the series is filmed in Qualicum Beach, a picturesque coastal town on Vancouver Island, part of British Columbia. The scenes in Sally’s Diner were filmed at Leigh House, a historic home in the heart of the city’s business district at 124 West 2nd Avenue in Qualicum.
The show often deceives when it comes to places – like the Crown Mansion Boutique Hotel Room at 292 Crescent Road East, which stood up for the Baltimore law firms.
Some scenes were filmed at Milner Gardens & Woodland – Vancouver Island University on 2179 Island Highway West in Qualicum Beach. The crew built a tree house from scratch to make filming easier. The sequences in Jess’ Bed and Breakfast were also filmed here.
Some scenes from season five were filmed at Qualicum Beach Community Hall, a community center on 644 Memorial Avenue. Some scenes were filmed in the market square.
Some scenes were filmed at Smithford’s Gifts, a gift shop at 164 West 2nd Avenue in the same area. The location was representative of the Chesapeake Shores Flower Shop in the series.
The Chesapeake Shores Town Square Café of history doesn’t really exist. The scenes were actually shot on location at Bailey’s in the Village, a diner on 670 Primrose Street in the same area.
Parksville, British Columbia
The interior sequences are mostly shot in a studio setting. Vancouver Island Film Studios, a film production hub on 925 Fairdowne Road in Parksville, is on loan to film the series.
Some scenes were filmed in Parksville Community Park, a public park on 193 Beachside Drive. The crew also visited St. Edmund’s Anglican Church, a parish church at 407 Wembley Road in Parksville, to film some sequences.
Some scenes were filmed at Rathtrevor Beach and the adjacent Provincial Park, a scenic destination on 1240 Rath Road at the east end of town. Some recordings from the fifth season also show speculative locations in Errington or South Parksville.
Nanaimo, British Columbia
In one memorable sequence, Abby visits the Chesapeake Shores Art Museum. Although the museum does not exist, the scenes were filmed at the Nanaimo Arts Council, a museum and exhibition center at 78 Wharf Street in Nanaimo.
The show also offers apparent glimpses of Austin and Nashville, but the crew did not film in either of those locations. The scenes were shot in a more convenient location on Commercial Street in downtown Nanaimo.
Scenes were also filmed at the Vault Cafe, a coffee shop at 499 Wallace Street in Nanaimo that stood for Austin Street. The scenes in the Palace Bar in Nashville were actually filmed at The Queen’s, a grand hotel on 34 Victoria Crescent in Nanaimo. A couple of exterior scenes were filmed at Gabriel’s Cafe, another cafe on 39 Commercial Street in the same area.
Other locations in British Columbia
The production team also shot a few scenes in Nanoose Bay, a community on the east coast of south Vancouver Island. The Fairwinds Marina in Schooner Cove, a marina on 3521 Dolphin Drive in Nanoose Bay, represented the Chesapeake Shores Marina. The O’Brian House, which is where most of the story unfolds, is located at 1574 Stewart Road in the same area.
Although most of the series is filmed on Vancouver Island, some scenes were filmed on the mainland, particularly the first season pilot. Some scenes were filmed in Victoria, the coastal capital of British Columbia. Scenes were also filmed in Steveston, a neighborhood in the city of Richmond, British Columbia.
Chesapeake Shores cast
Among the main cast, Meghan Ory stars as Abby O’Brien-Winters, a divorced mother of twins returning to the title town of Maryland. Treat Williams acts as Abby’s father, Mick, the family’s patriarch and the city’s founder. Among other prominent cast members, Laci J Mailey stars as Abby’s youngest sister, Jess, Barbara Niven as Abby’s estranged mother, Megan, and Emilie Ullerup as Abby’s younger sister, Bree. Brendan Penny plays alongside Andrew Francis, who wears the robes of their younger son Connor, as Kevin, the older son of the family. Diane Ladd plays the role of the matriarch and Mick’s mother, Nell. In the fifth season, the famous “One Tree Hill” Robert Buckley appears in the lead role of Evan Kincaid, an entrepreneur who brings business to the city.
Read more: Why is Jesse Metcalfe (Trace Riley) leaving the Chesapeake coast?