Forks, Washington: Setting for the Twilight Saga
The Miller Tree Inn bed and breakfast in Forks, Wash., advertises itself as home of the Cullens -- the vampire family in Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” and its sequels, which are set in the town. Forks has embraced its starring role, and tourism has taken off. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Twilight fans Rebekah Hamilton (from right), Sydney Conway and Alexis Miller, all from Redmond, Wash., gather for a photo in front of Forks high School. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The beach at La Push, shown at low tide, is a must-visit spot for Twilight fans: The Indian reservation in La Push is home to Jacob the werewolf. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Forks City Hall houses the police station where heroine Bella’s father works. It’s a stop on the town’s monthly “Twilight” bus tour. “We’ve had people from all over the world,” says one store owner. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Forks Community Hospital, recognizing the hospital’s key role in the books, put up this sign reserving a parking space for Dr. Cullen, father of hero Edward. The sign is now another tourist attraction. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A spider web hangs on a pasture fence across the street from Bella Swan’s home -- actually the home of schoolteacher Kim McIrvin, who gamely put up a “Home of the Swans” sign in her yard. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Forks Police Chief Mike Powell has gotten used to answering to “Charlie” -- Charlie Swan is the Forks police chief in the Twilight books. He signs autographs as Charlie Swan and poses for pictures with his squad car. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Homeowner Kim McIrvin says thousands of people have stopped to take pictures of her house since she put up the “Home of the Swans” sign. The house is not open to the public, although people sometimes try to get in. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Early morning mist rolls across State Route 101 heading into Forks. Meyer had never been to the town when she started writing her books. She chose it because an Internet search showed it as the rainiest city in the Lower 48, often covered with mist -- and vampires don’t like sun. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
