The beloved series Gilmore Girls introduced viewers to the cozy, fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Though fans often wonder, “Is Stars Hollow a real place?” the town is purely fictional, crafted for the show’s storytelling. However, the series was brought to life with a mix of real locations and meticulously designed sets, giving Stars Hollow its iconic New England charm. Below, we look into where Gilmore Girls was filmed, from small-town inspirations to the sound stages that made Stars Hollow feel like home.
Warner Bros. Studios: The Heart of Stars Hollow
| Character | Actor | Role Description |
| Lorelai Gilmore | Lauren Graham | A free-spirited single mother with a strong personality, managing the Independence Inn and, later, the Dragonfly Inn. |
| Rory Gilmore | Alexis Bledel | Lorelai’s intelligent and ambitious daughter focused on academics and eventually attended Yale. |
| Emily Gilmore | Kelly Bishop | Lorelai’s wealthy, traditional mother has a complicated but loving relationship with her daughter and granddaughter. |
| Richard Gilmore | Edward Herrmann | Lorelai’s father and Rory’s grandfather are successful businessmen with complex relationships with their families. |
| Luke Danes | Scott Patterson | The gruff but caring owner of Luke’s Diner, who becomes Lorelai’s love interest. |
| Sookie St. James | Melissa McCarthy | Lorelai’s best friend and talented chef, known for her warmth and clumsiness. |
| Paris Geller | Liza Weil | Rory’s competitive classmate and eventual friend, known for her intensity and drive to succeed. |
| Lane Kim | Keiko Agena | Rory’s best friend, a music enthusiast, was raised in a strict household by her mother, Mrs. Kim. |
| Dean Forester | Jared Padalecki | Rory’s first boyfriend is kind and supportive, though their relationship faces challenges as they grow. |
| Jess Mariano | Milo Ventimiglia | Luke’s rebellious nephew becomes one of Rory’s love interests, known for his wit and intellect. |
| Logan Huntzberger | Matt Czuchry | Rory’s charming and wealthy boyfriend during her time at Yale, with a complicated family background. |
| Michel Gerard | Yanic Truesdale | The sarcastic French concierge at the Independence Inn and Dragonfly Inn is known for his humor and attitude. |
| Kirk Gleason | Sean Gunn | Eccentric Stars Hollow resident with numerous jobs, providing comic relief with his quirky personality. |
| Christopher Hayden | David Sutcliffe | Rory’s father and Lorelai’s on-and-off love interest, who struggles with his role in their lives. |
| Miss Patty | Liz Torres | Dance instructor in Stars Hollow and a source of town gossip, adding color to the community’s social life. |
| Babette Dell | Sally Struthers | Lorelai and Rory’s quirky, nosy neighbor, often involved in town happenings with her husband, Morey. |
| Taylor Doose | Michael Winters | The town selectman and owner of Doose’s Market is known for his strict and traditional approach to town matters. |
| Gypsy | Rose Abdoo | The local mechanic often provides comic relief with her blunt personality and humorous observations. |
| Jackson Belleville | Jackson Douglas | Sookie’s husband and a produce supplier are known for his sometimes goofy but lovable personality. |
| Madeline Lynn | Shelly Cole | Paris’s friend at Chilton, who is part of Rory’s high school social circle. |
| Louise Grant | Teal Redmann | Another of Paris’s friends at Chilton often appears with Madeline. |
| Logan’s Family | Gregg Henry (Mitchum), Vanessa Marano (April Nardini) | Logan’s wealthy and influential family brings conflicts and challenges to his relationship with Rory. |
| April Nardini | Vanessa Marano | Luke’s daughter, who he discovers late in life, adds new dynamics to his relationship with Lorelai. |
Gilmore Girls primarily filmed on the Warner Bros. Studios backlot in Burbank, California, where Stars Hollow came to life through carefully constructed sets and streetscapes. For anyone familiar with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, it’s likely they’ve seen pieces of this fictional town. In this studio environment, entire streets and buildings were designed to represent Stars Hollow’s famous landmarks, from Luke’s Diner to Doose’s Market and the town gazebo.
Features of the Warner Bros. Set for Stars Hollow
- Luke’s Diner: This fan-favorite spot was set on Midwest Street, where a versatile building was transformed into the beloved coffee shop.
- Town Gazebo and Square: Central to Stars Hollow’s community events, the gazebo was a frequent gathering spot for show characters.
- Doose’s Market: The local grocery store, a key place for comedic moments, also stood on the Warner Bros. lot.
The controlled studio environment allowed the crew to adjust lighting, create weather effects, and construct detailed seasonal decor, making the set appear like an authentic New England town.
The Pilot Episode’s Unique Filming Location: Unionville, Ontario
While most of the series was filmed in California, the pilot episode was shot in Unionville, a small town in Ontario, Canada. Its quaint streets and charming historic buildings served as the first visual representation of Stars Hollow, giving it an authentic small-town vibe. The choice of Unionville came from its resemblance to a classic New England town, which set the aesthetic tone for the series.
- Unionville’s Main Street: This street became the stand-in for Stars Hollow, offering a glimpse of what the fictional town would look like.
- Why Only the Pilot: When Gilmore Girls was picked up for a full season, production moved to Warner Bros. Studios in California to accommodate year-round filming needs and set construction flexibility.
Although the show didn’t return to Unionville after the pilot, the town left an impression and set the stage for Stars Hollow’s design.
Stars Hollow’s Inspiration: Washington Depot, Connecticut
For the creators of Gilmore Girls, Stars Hollow was inspired by Washington Depot, Connecticut—a real New England town with a similar charm. During her time in Connecticut, series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino found inspiration in the cozy, community-driven atmosphere of towns like Washington Depot. Although Stars Hollow is fictional, it borrows elements from these small towns, including local diners, town hall meetings, and community events.
Real Connecticut Touches in Stars Hollow:
- Local Diners: Much like Luke’s Diner, small eateries in Washington Depot and other nearby towns became essential meeting spots.
- Town Meetings and Festivals: Annual festivals and town gatherings became a regular part of Stars Hollow, mirroring real-life small-town traditions.
While Washington Depot isn’t Stars Hollow itself, fans of the show often visit Connecticut towns that offer a similarly cozy, community-focused vibe.
Chilton Preparatory School Scenes: Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills
Chilton, the elite preparatory school attended by Rory, is another well-known filming location in Gilmore Girls. For Chilton’s scenes, the production used the historic Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, California. Known for its grand, stately appearance, Greystone provided the perfect backdrop for scenes depicting Rory’s challenging academic life and interactions with classmates like Paris Geller.
Notable Features of Greystone Mansion as Chilton:
- Elegant Architecture: The mansion’s exterior and interior hallways reflected the prestigious image of Chilton.
- Staircases and Study Halls: Rory’s moments on campus were filmed against the mansion’s elaborate interior, giving Chilton an academic feel.
Using Greystone Mansion gave Gilmore Girls a timeless, elite look for Chilton scenes, contrasting with Stars Hollow’s laid-back feel.
Harvard and Yale Scenes: UCLA and Pomona College
Throughout Gilmore Girls, Rory’s academic journey brings her from Stars Hollow to prestigious institutions like Harvard and Yale. Although the show suggests Rory visits and eventually attends these Ivy League schools, the actual filming took place in California. For Harvard scenes, the show used the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, while Yale scenes were primarily shot at Pomona College, located in Claremont, California.
Stand-In Locations for Harvard and Yale:
- UCLA as Harvard: The university’s classic architecture provided an ideal backdrop for scenes of Rory’s first visit to Harvard, adding to the storyline of her ambitions.
- Pomona College as Yale: The ivy-covered buildings and historic feel of Pomona’s campus worked well as a Yale substitute, and filming here gave the “Yale years” of Gilmore Girls an authentic feel.
Both UCLA and Pomona helped make Rory’s Ivy League storyline more realistic, even though these locations are far from the East Coast.
Other Notable Filming Sites in California
Beyond the main sets and college campuses, Gilmore Girls occasionally filmed scenes in other California spots to bring variety to the visuals. These locations supported specific scenes that required a distinct look or backdrop outside of Stars Hollow.
- The Dragonfly Inn: Lorelai’s dream to open an inn became reality at the end of Season 3. The inn’s exteriors were created at the Warner Bros. lot, while interiors were shot in an actual California bed and breakfast to make scenes feel homey and rustic.
- Emily and Richard’s House: The Gilmore mansion was primarily filmed at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills and used different rooms and spaces for their grand home.
These additional locations brought depth to the Gilmore Girls world, showing life outside of Stars Hollow and enriching the narrative with authentic and varied settings.
Set Design and Construction of Stars Hollow
Building Stars Hollow on the Warner Bros. backlot required meticulous attention to detail. Production teams worked hard to give the set an authentic feel that would resonate with viewers as a true New England town. From shops and public buildings to smaller details like street signs, every part of Stars Hollow was designed to feel believable.
- Seasonal Decorations: Since the show often depicted holidays and seasonal changes, the production team used artificial snow, fall leaves, and holiday lights to bring Stars Hollow to life.
- Recognizable Storefronts: Places like Miss Patty’s Dance School, the bookstore, and Taylor’s Ice Cream Shop created a sense of familiarity for viewers.
- Unique Town Features: Details like the town square, gazebo, and historic architecture all helped convey the essence of a small-town community.
This immersive set design enabled Stars Hollow to be both visually appealing and true to the feel of a real New England town, making the town itself a beloved “character” in the show.
Creating the Seasons of Stars Hollow
Despite filming in sunny California, Gilmore Girls managed to capture New England’s seasonal beauty. From the snow-covered winters to autumn leaves, the production team used various techniques to portray each season.
Seasonal Atmosphere Techniques:
- Artificial Snow and Leaves: Fake snow was used to create winter scenes, and painted leaves helped mimic autumn.
- Holiday Decorations: From Thanksgiving to Christmas, holiday decor added warmth and charm to Stars Hollow.
- Weather Effects: Fog machines, wind blowers, and special lighting helped create the feel of chilly, rainy days and changing seasons.
By carefully crafting the atmosphere, the show effectively transported audiences to a town in New England with each episode, despite its California roots.
Visiting the Filming Locations Today
Many of Gilmore Girls’ filming locations are open to the public, and fans can experience a touch of Stars Hollow themselves. Warner Bros. Studios offers guided tours, where visitors can see parts of the Stars Hollow set, including iconic spots like Luke’s Diner. Unionville, Ontario, where the pilot was filmed, also sees fans visiting its Main Street for its Gilmore Girls connection.
- Warner Bros. Studios Tour: The tour often includes stops at Stars Hollow sites, with some sets recreated to resemble the original layout.
- Unionville, Ontario: Fans can walk the streets that represent Stars Hollow in the pilot, take photos, and visit local shops.
- Pomona College: Yale scenes were filmed on this campus, and while it’s not promoted as a Gilmore Girls site, fans often recognize the familiar architecture.
For fans, visiting these spots adds a layer of nostalgia and brings them closer to the Gilmore Girls world, allowing them to walk in the footsteps of beloved characters.
Behind-the-Scenes Stories from Filming Locations
Behind the scenes, filming Gilmore Girls in different locations presented both challenges and memorable moments for the cast and crew. For instance, creating winter in sunny California required a lot of fake snow and creative filming angles. Actors often shared anecdotes about the filming process, from shooting late-night scenes in chilly conditions to working on the Warner Bros. backlot dressed up as Stars Hollow.
- Artificial Winter in California: Cast members often joked about wearing heavy winter coats in warm California weather while surrounded by artificial snow.
- Long Nights on Set: Filming late into the night was common for scenes in the town square, and the crew had to recreate morning lighting for continuity.
- Cast and Crew Experiences: The Stars Hollow set became a second home for the cast and crew, who grew close while working on the show over the years.
These behind-the-scenes experiences added authenticity to the scenes and are fondly remembered by both cast members and fans.
Similarities Between Stars Hollow and Real New England Towns
While Stars Hollow isn’t a real town, it shares many qualities with real small towns across New England. Towns like Washington Depot, Litchfield, and Kent in Connecticut are known for their classic architecture, cozy diners, and community gatherings. Fans often feel these towns could have inspired Stars Hollow and made the town feel like it truly exists somewhere in the Northeast.
- Community Spirit: Much like Stars Hollow, New England towns have a strong sense of community, with local events and gatherings that bring everyone together.
- Historic Architecture: Brick buildings, white-steepled churches, and town squares are common in New England towns and are reflected in Stars Hollow’s design.
- Seasonal Celebrations: Real towns in New England celebrate festivals and seasonal events, similar to the traditions depicted in Gilmore Girls.
These shared characteristics create an authentic backdrop for the series, making Stars Hollow relatable for viewers familiar with small-town life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Gilmore Girls set?
Gilmore Girls is set in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, a cozy and close-knit community filled with unique characters.
2. Is Stars Hollow a real place?
No, Stars Hollow isn’t a real town. It was inspired by small towns in Connecticut, such as Washington Depot, but created on set at Warner Bros. Studios.
3. When was Gilmore Girls filmed?
The original Gilmore Girls series was filmed from 2000 to 2007, with a revival series, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, filmed in 2016.
4. Where was the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls filmed?
The pilot episode was filmed in Unionville, Ontario, Canada. After the series was picked up, production moved to Warner Bros. Studios in California.
5. What locations were used for Chilton and Yale in Gilmore Girls?
Chilton scenes were filmed at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, while Pomona College in California served as the main location for Yale scenes.
6. Can fans visit the Stars Hollow set?
Fans can visit parts of Stars Hollow on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank, California, where key sets from Gilmore Girls are open to the public.
Conclusion
The filming locations of Gilmore Girls—from Warner Bros. Studios to Unionville and various California sites—helped create the magic of Stars Hollow. By blending New England inspiration with detailed set design, the show crafted a fictional town that felt authentic and beloved by fans. Years after its original airing, Stars Hollow’s cozy atmosphere, seasonal charm, and close-knit community continue to resonate with viewers, making Gilmore Girls a lasting favorite. This carefully crafted setting remains a central reason fans return to the series, finding comfort and nostalgia in the world of Stars Hollow.
