Where was Sand Dollar Cove filmed? The Real Connecticut Town Filming Location
Posted by Ra Moon
The new Hallmark movie starring Chad Michael Murray, Aly Michalka, and Clare Bowen is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Nancy Naigle.
Sand Dollar Cove was filmed in several gorgeous locations in Connecticut, the same state where the movie is set. However, in the book, this fictional seaside town is located in North Carolina.
Sand Dollar Cove was filmed in several gorgeous locations in Connecticut, the same state where the movie is set. However, in the book, this fictional seaside town is located in North Carolina.
Founded in 1674, Sand Dollar Cove is a town like no other. That's why real estate developer Elli (Michalka) is looking to build a resort hotel on the beach of this lovely village.
But as is often the case in many Hallmarkies (like in the new As Luck Would Have It), Elli starts to fall in love with the location, its people, and in particular with Brody, the charming owner of a beautiful sailing boat.
Here is our guide to the filming locations of the movie. Stay tuned for updates on this page as more juicy details are unearthed!
Welcome to Sand Dollar Cove, Connecticut
Sand Dollar Cove, CT, is actually an amalgam of several locations.
The movie was primarily filmed in Noank, a quiet and scenic town in the Groton village, and Stonington, located in the southeastern corner of Connecticut, bordering Rhode Island.
The pier was CGI'd to look damaged because in the movie, a section of it collapsed after a storm, and there was not enough money to fix it.
The town's beloved pier is located at Walnut Beach in Milford, with the picturesque Charles Island in the background.
From this dazzling beach, you can walk to the island, which is part of Silver Sands State Park.
(You can open all the locations on Google Maps by clicking on the links below in the captions ↴)
Image courtesy of Hallmark Channel and J J - Map
Image courtesy of Hallmark Channel and J J - Map
Opened in 1907, Carson's Store in Noank doubled as the cute Sand Dollar Café.
New Haven's local television station WTNH reported that the owner of the store wanted to keep the sign featured in the movie after the wrap, as a little memento of the shoot.
Image courtesy of Google Maps
The meeting with the mayor at the Town Hall takes place at Stonington Town Clerk.
Stonington is a very nice village, rich in history and period architecture, with plenty of old-world charm.
Image courtesy of Hallmark Channel - Map
The house is located at 8 Willow Street in Mystic. Built in 1899, this splendid Queen Anne Victorian mansion overlooking the Mystic River has five bedrooms and three full bathrooms in 3,332 square feet.
Image courtesy of Hallmark - Map
According to Realtor.com, the property is one of Mystic's finest homes and is off-market but has an estimated value of $2,844,600.
The spot where Elli and Brody meet to go for her first fishing lesson is actually a seafood restaurant called Ford's Lobsters.
This outdoor waterfront dining, with patio–only seating and water views, is located at 15 Riverview Avenue in Noank.
Image courtesy of Hallmark Channel - Map
According to Hartford's CBS-affiliated television station WFSB, the filmmakers also recorded scenes at the historic Morgan Point Lighthouse located in Noank, on the west side of the mouth of the Mystic River.
The current edifice was built in 1868, but it ended active service in 1921. The old lighthouse was remodeled in the 1990s to become a house.
Today, the original structure is well-kept as a five-bedroom and three-bathroom private residence. The estate and the surrounding grounds are closed to the public.
Image courtesy of Dikjenkins - Map
The carpenter's workshop near the oyster factory is the Red Shed at Noank's dock, one of the legacy buildings that is used as a venue for the Noank Historical Society social programs.
Image courtesy of Hallmark Channel - Map
The scenes with Brody sailing a 51-foot Hinckley boat were filmed using a local resident that looked like Murray. This footage was recorded around Stonington Harbor Marina.
Image courtesy of Hallmark Channel - Map
The sandcastle scene was filmed at the local Esker Point Beach, overlooking a beautiful small bay.
This is a public beach offering picnic areas and volleyball courts, located at 900 Groton Long Point Road.
Image courtesy of Hallmark - Map
The aerial establishing shots are from Noank and Groton Long Point (pictured).
Image courtesy of Hallmark - Map
The Summer Jamboree Fundraiser scene was filmed in Noank's town dock, at the Latham Chester Store Museum area.
The Day newspaper reported that a 40-foot ferris wheel was assembled for the movie. The production used many local extras for the fair scene with the band, filmed on April 30, 2021.
Image courtesy of Hallmark - Map
Meet the cast
Californian actress and musician, Aly Michalka, is best known for her starring roles in The CW series Hellcats and iZombie. She is also part of the music group Aly & AJ with her sister AJ Michalka.
Chad Michael Murray starred in The CW show One Tree Hill and had recurring roles in the hit series Dawson’s Creek, Gilmore Girls, Agent Carter, and Riverdale.
Clare Bowen (Pam in the movie) is an Australian actress and singer who played Scarlett O'Connor in the musical-drama television series Nashville.
Did you know that sand dollars are species of flat sea urchins?
Did you know that sand dollars are species of flat sea urchins?
Can you help to improve this article about the filming locations of Sand Dollar Cove? To complete and correct this report, any feedback, info, or images that you may have are more than welcome, thank you!
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NOTICE: If you’re using this information on your website, please credit and link to this page as a source.
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9 comments:
1- Anonymous - June 27, 2021 at 8:43 AM
Loved the movie! My wife and I drove down to Mystic and Noank a few weeks ago (the first outing in over a year). It was fun trying to figure out where each scene was filmed.
2- Animal Lover - June 29, 2021 at 2:58 PM
Watching the movie, I was delighted to see Clare Bowen back on tv. I hope Hallmark uses her in more movies, especially when her character is a singer. She is wonderful!
3- Anonymous - July 1, 2021 at 10:11 PM
I loved the movie, but even before I saw that it was supposed to a town in CT. Which might have been or not, I saw the island that I said to myself looks like Charles Island. I am from Milford Ct. and used to go to Silver Sands Beach and Gulf Beach. My heart still longs to be there, but I won't move away from my Grandchildren and sons. Thank you for bringing this area back into my soul with this Hallmark movie.
4- Milfordian - July 5, 2021 at 10:49 PM
Sand Dollar Cove was one of Hallmark's best movies. Maybe because part of it was filmed in a CT hidden treasure of Milford. I have taken so many photos of Charles Island and have on my wall a large one of the island. I spent so many wonderful years on Nr Walnut beach and the Woodmont section of Milford before moving south. I will always treasure the memories of the town and the people.
5- Dawn - July 7, 2021 at 10:01 AM
I found the filming location of Nana’s house, where Ellie stayed. It's located at 8 Willow St, Mystic, CT 06355. It’s an actual 3,332 sq. ft. Queen Anne home, with five bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Here’s a link with pictures:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/8-Wall-St_Stonington_CT_06378_M43406-78820
6- Loving Bears - July 8, 2021 at 3:31 PM
Is Nana's house a real bed and breakfast? I would LOVE to stay there!! So beautiful!!
7- Carol Anne - August 7, 2021 at 17:45 PM
I’ve visited the realtor.com website Dawn mentions in the number five comment above. The word fabulous does it begin to describe the interior and exterior of this home as seen in the 40 photographs. It’s beyond breathtaking.
8- Anonymous - Jan 4, 2023, 9:26 PM
Brody doesn't own a house on the beach, he lives on a boat.
9- Anonymous - Jun 4, 2023, 11:21 AM
My father and his brothers were raised on Walnut Beach. My grandparents owned a fish market in the front of the house. The house was swept away by Hurricane Donna. My cousins lived not far away, and we use to walk out to Charles Island all the time. It had the ruins of an old monastery on it. I love Milford and have many good memories of growing up there.
1- Anonymous - June 27, 2021 at 8:43 AM
Loved the movie! My wife and I drove down to Mystic and Noank a few weeks ago (the first outing in over a year). It was fun trying to figure out where each scene was filmed.
2- Animal Lover - June 29, 2021 at 2:58 PM
Watching the movie, I was delighted to see Clare Bowen back on tv. I hope Hallmark uses her in more movies, especially when her character is a singer. She is wonderful!
3- Anonymous - July 1, 2021 at 10:11 PM
I loved the movie, but even before I saw that it was supposed to a town in CT. Which might have been or not, I saw the island that I said to myself looks like Charles Island. I am from Milford Ct. and used to go to Silver Sands Beach and Gulf Beach. My heart still longs to be there, but I won't move away from my Grandchildren and sons. Thank you for bringing this area back into my soul with this Hallmark movie.
4- Milfordian - July 5, 2021 at 10:49 PM
Sand Dollar Cove was one of Hallmark's best movies. Maybe because part of it was filmed in a CT hidden treasure of Milford. I have taken so many photos of Charles Island and have on my wall a large one of the island. I spent so many wonderful years on Nr Walnut beach and the Woodmont section of Milford before moving south. I will always treasure the memories of the town and the people.
5- Dawn - July 7, 2021 at 10:01 AM
I found the filming location of Nana’s house, where Ellie stayed. It's located at 8 Willow St, Mystic, CT 06355. It’s an actual 3,332 sq. ft. Queen Anne home, with five bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Here’s a link with pictures:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/8-Wall-St_Stonington_CT_06378_M43406-78820
6- Loving Bears - July 8, 2021 at 3:31 PM
Is Nana's house a real bed and breakfast? I would LOVE to stay there!! So beautiful!!
7- Carol Anne - August 7, 2021 at 17:45 PM
I’ve visited the realtor.com website Dawn mentions in the number five comment above. The word fabulous does it begin to describe the interior and exterior of this home as seen in the 40 photographs. It’s beyond breathtaking.
8- Anonymous - Jan 4, 2023, 9:26 PM
Brody doesn't own a house on the beach, he lives on a boat.
9- Anonymous - Jun 4, 2023, 11:21 AM
My father and his brothers were raised on Walnut Beach. My grandparents owned a fish market in the front of the house. The house was swept away by Hurricane Donna. My cousins lived not far away, and we use to walk out to Charles Island all the time. It had the ruins of an old monastery on it. I love Milford and have many good memories of growing up there.
Ra Moon
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