Where Does The Summer I Turned Pretty Take Place?

Okay, so if you’re a fan of the books or the Amazon show, you’ve probably wondered at some point: where does The Summer I Turned Pretty take place? It seems like a simple question, but honestly, it opens up this whole world of fictional beaches, real-life filming spots, and all the vibes that make the story feel so alive. The story revolves around this perfect summer spot where everything changes for Belly and the crew, but pinning it down isn’t straightforward. There’s the made-up town in the books, the inspirations behind it, and then the actual places they used for the TV series. Let’s break it down step by step, because the setting is basically the heartbeat of the whole thing.

The Fictional Setting: Cousins Beach and Its Mystique

In the books and the show, everything happens in this dreamy beach town called Cousins Beach. That’s the core answer to where The Summer I Turned Pretty takes place—right there in Cousins Beach. It’s where Belly heads every summer with her mom and brother, linking up with the Fisher family at their big beach house. Think endless days on the sand, late-night bonfires, pool parties, and all those awkward, heart-fluttering moments that come with growing up.

Jenny Han, the author, keeps it fictional on purpose. She doesn’t tie it to one exact spot, which makes it feel like it could be anyone’s favorite summer escape. From what she’s shared in interviews and stuff, Cousins Beach pulls from a bunch of real East Coast spots she loves—like Cape Cod with its cute shingled houses, the fancy Hamptons vibe, the chill Outer Banks, or even Virginia Beach. It’s like a mash-up of all those places where summers feel magical and a little bittersweet. So when you picture where the summer turns pretty for Belly, it’s this universal beach town that’s sunny, salty, and full of memories.

The town itself has all these little details that make it come alive: the path from the house to the water, the country club with its debutante balls, volleyball games on the beach, and those quiet mornings where the ocean’s just whispering. Cousins Beach isn’t just a location—it’s where Belly stops being a kid and starts figuring out love, friendship, and all the messy stuff in between.

Clues in the Text: Where Does Cousins Beach Sit on the Map?

The books don’t slap a state label on Cousins Beach, but there are hints that scream New England to a lot of us. You’ve got the classic coastal architecture—those cedar-shingled homes with hydrangeas everywhere, wooden boardwalks, and that cozy, preppy feel. There are mentions of debutante events, warm (but not sweltering) nights, and an overall East Coast energy that feels like Massachusetts or maybe Rhode Island.

A bunch of fans (and even some wikis) guess it’s in Massachusetts, probably because of the Cape Cod parallels. The style is spot-on: think gray-shingled cottages, lobster rolls in spirit if not in name, and that nostalgic summer-house charm. But Jenny Han has said it’s inspired by a mix of places, so it’s flexible. It lets you overlay your own beach memories onto it. That’s part of the magic—where The Summer I Turned Pretty takes place feels personal, like it could be your cousin’s beach house or that one vacation spot from childhood.

Real-Life Filming Location: Where Was It Filmed?

Now, if you’re asking where The Summer I Turned Pretty takes place in the real world—like, where they actually shot the show—that’s a different story. The TV adaptation went down to Wilmington, North Carolina, and the beaches around there. Yeah, not up north, but in the South. Most of the beach town scenes, the house exteriors, the boardwalks, and all that ocean magic? Filmed in and near Wilmington.

Specific spots include Carolina Beach with its fun boardwalk vibes, Kure Beach for those wide sandy stretches, and Wrightsville Beach for the piers and sunsets. The iconic Fisher family beach house? That’s a real place in Porters Neck Plantation, just outside Wilmington. They picked it because it had that New England look—shingles, big porch, pool, dock— even though it’s in North Carolina. If you’ve binged the show and thought, “I need to go there,” Wilmington is your spot.

Why Wilmington (and Not Cape Cod) Was Chosen for Filming

You might wonder why they didn’t just film in Cape Cod or the Hamptons if that’s the inspiration. Practical reasons, mostly. Wilmington has a huge film industry—think One Tree Hill and tons of other shows—so the crew, equipment, and permits are all set up. Plus, the beaches there have that soft sand, warm water, and laid-back summer town feel without the crazy crowds or cold snaps you might get further north.

The location scouts wanted a house that screamed “East Coast summer” but in a place where they could film comfortably for months. Wilmington delivered: great light, accessible spots, and it all looks stunning on screen. It captures the essence of Cousins Beach without being literal, and honestly, once you’re watching, you forget it’s not actually in Massachusetts.

The Importance of Setting to the Story

The setting isn’t just pretty scenery in The Summer I Turned Pretty—it’s everything. Cousins Beach is where Belly’s world expands. Each summer there is a milestone: the innocent kid years, the crush awakenings, the heartbreaks, the family dramas. The beach house holds it all—the laughs around the pool, the tense dinners, the midnight swims that lead to confessions.

Asking where the summer takes place is like asking where the magic happens. The bonfires light up revelations, the ocean washes away (or stirs up) emotions, and the short summer season mirrors how fast life changes. It’s a place of rituals: grabbing muffins in the morning, dressing up for the country club, walking the beach at dusk. Without that setting, the story loses its soul.

Fan-Travels: Visiting the Setting in Real Life

Fans are obsessed with visiting these spots, and I get it. Head to Wilmington, and you can stroll the same boardwalks, snap pics at the beaches, and even spot that “Entering Cousins Beach” sign they put up near Southport (it’s about a 30-minute drive). Carolina Beach has that carnival-like energy from the show, Wrightsville has the pier for those romantic walks, and Kure Beach feels peaceful and endless.

It’s not exactly Cousins Beach, but it brings the show to life. Walk the sand at golden hour, and you’ll feel like you’re in Belly’s shoes. There are even fan tours popping up—people sharing maps of filming spots, best photo ops, and nearby cafes that vibe with the story.

Beyond Geography: How Setting Shifts with the Characters

As the series goes on, where the summer takes place starts to evolve. It begins locked in that one beach house and town, but later seasons branch out—college visits, other cities, winters that contrast the summers. The “summer” becomes less about the physical place and more about the phase of life. Cousins Beach is the anchor, but the emotions travel with the characters.

Even in the core summers, spots within the town change meaning: the pool where fights happen one year is where reconciliations spark the next. The setting grows with them, which keeps the question of where it all takes place feeling dynamic.

Misconceptions Around the Setting

People get mixed up sometimes. Some think Cousins Beach is a real town in Mass—you won’t find it on a map. Others assume the whole show was filmed up north because of the inspo, but nope, it’s all Carolina. And yeah, not every scene is at the beach; later parts expand, so the “where” shifts a bit depending on the episode or book.

Clearing that up makes the whole thing richer. It’s fictional flexibility meets real-world beauty.

How Location Influences the Supporting Cast of Characters

The setting shapes everyone, not just Belly. For Conrad and Jeremiah, the beach house is home base—full of mom Susannah’s warmth, family traditions, and later, grief. Laurel (Belly’s mom) finds escape there. The country club brings out rivalries and social stuff, the bonfires loosen tongues. It’s a casual, sun-soaked world that lets raw moments happen: arguments in bathing suits, make-ups under stars.

That beach town vibe makes the relationships feel authentic—summers amplify everything because there’s nowhere to hide.

Visual and Architectural Style of the Setting

The look is iconic: big wraparound porches, blue hydrangeas blooming everywhere, cedar shingles weathered just right, paths lined with seashells leading to the water. It’s that classic coastal cottage aesthetic, even in the North Carolina filming spots. The show nails the pastels, the golden light filtering through, the salty breeze you can almost feel.

It all screams summer escape—timeless, a little luxurious, but lived-in. That’s why the setting sticks with you.

Why the Setting Resonates with Viewers

We keep asking where it takes place because it hits that nostalgia button hard. It’s the idea of a perfect summer where you change forever—first kisses, best friends, figuring yourself out. Cousins Beach feels attainable yet dreamy, and visiting the real spots makes it tangible.

It’s universal: your own “Cousins” might be a lake house or a family cabin, but the emotions are the same.

Final Reflections on “Where Does The Summer I Turned Pretty Take Place”

Bottom line: it takes place in the fictional Cousins Beach, a New England-inspired haven of sand and secrets. On screen, that’s Wilmington, North Carolina, bringing it to sunny life. But really, the setting lives in the transformations—the way summer marks you.

It’s particular (that one house, those waves) and universal (anywhere life shifts). Watch or read, and Cousins Beach becomes your place too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does The Summer I Turned Pretty take place in the books? In the novels, it’s all at the fictional Cousins Beach. Not real, but inspired by East Coast gems to feel familiar and dreamy.

Which state is Cousins Beach supposed to be in? No official state, but Jenny Han draws from Cape Cod, the Hamptons, Outer Banks, and more. Fans often say Massachusetts vibes.

Where does The Summer I Turned Pretty take place in the TV series (filming location)? Mostly Wilmington, North Carolina, plus Carolina, Kure, and Wrightsville Beaches. They stand in perfectly for the fictional town.

Is there a real house that appears in the show where the summer takes place? Yep, the Fisher beach house exteriors are a private home in Porters Neck Plantation, Wilmington. Looks just like the New England dream.

If I want to visit where the summer took place, where should I go? Hit up Wilmington and those nearby beaches. For the fictional feel, any East Coast spot in summer works, but North Carolina is the real deal for show vibes.

Does where does the summer i turned pretty take place change across seasons? Absolutely. Core is the beach house, but it expands to colleges and beyond as characters grow. “Summer” becomes a state of mind.

Why does the setting matter so much in The Summer I Turned Pretty? It’s where growth, love, and loss unfold. The beach town is the catalyst for all the big feels—rituals, memories, changes.