The dreamy seaside town of Cousins Beach has captured the imagination of millions of viewers around the world. From golden sunsets and bonfire nights to the iconic Fisher family beach house, the setting feels so real that fans often find themselves asking: where was The Summer I Turned Pretty filmed?
The truth is, Cousins Beach is a fictional creation, but the show was filmed in real towns, beaches, and universities across North Carolina. These spots gave the series its warm, nostalgic, and cinematic atmosphere. As of September 2025, the series has wrapped season three, with a feature film officially on the way—making the real-life filming locations more popular than ever.
This guide dives into every place that brought the series to life, how they were chosen, and how you can experience them for yourself.
Cousins Beach: A Fictional World Inspired by Real Shores
Jenny Han, the author and showrunner, wanted Cousins Beach to feel like a universal summer escape. It’s not pinned to one state, but instead blends features of Cape Cod, Virginia Beach, and the Hamptons. The town is timeless, filled with traditions, warmth, and the bittersweet nostalgia of growing up.
Still, the production team needed actual locations to capture this vision. After scouting, North Carolina became the show’s home. With its long coastline, mix of lively and quiet beaches, and film-friendly cities, it was the perfect substitute for Cousins Beach.
Wilmington, North Carolina: The Production’s Anchor
When asking where was The Summer I Turned Pretty filmed, Wilmington is the first answer. Known as “Hollywood East,” Wilmington has hosted countless TV shows and films thanks to its production facilities and scenic coastal neighborhoods.
For The Summer I Turned Pretty, Wilmington provided:
- The Fisher family’s beach house exterior – A private home in Porters Neck Plantation served as the beloved Cousins residence. Fans instantly recognize its porch, sprawling lawn, and ocean view.
- Neighborhood drives and bike rides – Many of the picturesque street scenes were filmed in Wilmington’s residential areas.
- Local businesses – Wilmington cafés and shops appeared on screen, giving Cousins its small-town community feel.
Although the interior of the Fisher house was recreated on studio sets, Wilmington remains the backbone of the show’s world-building.
Carolina Beach: Colorful Boardwalk Energy
Carolina Beach brought vibrancy and life to many scenes. Known for its bustling boardwalk filled with arcades, shops, and diners, it was the ideal stand-in for Cousins’ social hub.
Fans may remember:
- Group outings where Belly and her friends walked by neon lights.
- Carnival-style attractions that matched the youthful energy of the story.
- The lively, family-friendly vibe that made Cousins feel like more than just a sleepy beach town.
Kure Beach: Quiet Escapes and Heartfelt Conversations
Just south of Carolina Beach lies Kure Beach, a quieter stretch of sand with a slower pace. Its uncrowded atmosphere made it perfect for more emotional and intimate scenes.
Whether it was Belly reflecting by the ocean or a private talk between characters, Kure Beach gave the series its softer, reflective moments.
Wrightsville Beach: Classic Coastal Charm
One of North Carolina’s most famous beaches, Wrightsville Beach provided sweeping views and stunning sunsets. Its long, sandy stretches were often used for scenes of group bonding, games, and summer romance.
Fans often describe Wrightsville Beach as the place where Cousins Beach “feels most alive.” It carries the charm of a classic American seaside town, which perfectly aligned with Jenny Han’s vision.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area: Dramatic Backdrops
Fort Fisher offered a natural, untouched coastal landscape that contrasted beautifully with the lighter, playful beach scenes. Its rolling dunes, grassy stretches, and open skies made it a favorite for bonfires, parties, and dramatic moments in the story.
This location shows how much thought went into pairing scenery with mood—the writers and directors used Fort Fisher’s raw beauty to heighten emotion.
Southport: The Famous Cousins Beach Sign
Southport, a historic coastal town, provided another iconic moment: the “Entering Cousins Beach” sign. For fans, this marker symbolizes Belly’s return to her second home, where each summer changes her life.
Southport’s quaint streets and waterfront also enhanced the small-town charm that makes Cousins unforgettable.
UNC Chapel Hill as Finch College
By the third season, Belly’s story expands beyond summers at the beach. College becomes a new chapter, and the fictional Finch College was introduced.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stood in for Finch, using its quads, lecture halls, and brick pathways. Jenny Han, a UNC alumna, made the filming deeply personal by bringing the story back to her own campus roots.
Highlights filmed at UNC include:
- Outdoor campus life and dorm settings.
- Classroom interiors and hallways.
- The main quad, where many transitional scenes take place.
This gave Finch College a genuine academic atmosphere while still tying back to the East Coast world of Cousins.
The Fisher Family Beach House: A Character of Its Own
One of the most beloved elements of the show is the Fisher house itself. Fans often say it feels like another character, representing warmth, love, and the bittersweet passage of time.
- Exteriors – Filmed at a private property in Wilmington’s Porters Neck Plantation.
- Interiors – Shot on designed sets that recreated the cozy, timeless atmosphere Jenny Han described in her books.
Even though fans can’t tour the real house, it remains one of the most photographed and recreated features of the show, inspiring home décor trends with its airy, coastal design.
Season Three Finale and Beyond
On September 17, 2025, season three concluded, tying together years of love triangles, growing pains, and family bonds. The same week, Prime Video confirmed that the story will continue with a feature film, written and directed by Jenny Han herself.
The main cast—Lola Tung (Belly), Christopher Briney (Conrad), and Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah)—will all return. While exact filming locations for the movie are still unannounced, North Carolina remains the likely hub. Fans may see familiar Wilmington beaches, Finch College scenes, and possibly even new destinations as the story matures.
Why Fans Travel to These Filming Locations
For fans, visiting filming locations is a way to relive the show’s magic in real life. North Carolina has already seen a tourism boost from the series, with fans taking trips to:
- Wrightsville Beach for its golden-hour beauty.
- Carolina Beach Boardwalk for its colorful energy.
- UNC Chapel Hill to walk Finch College’s “campus.”
- Southport to snap photos at the Cousins Beach sign.
Travel blogs and fan accounts frequently showcase photos of these real spots, often comparing them side by side with scenes from the show.
The Blend of Fiction and Reality
The success of The Summer I Turned Pretty lies in its seamless mix of fictional storytelling with real-world backdrops.
- Cousins Beach may not exist, but places like Wrightsville and Kure Beach bring it alive.
- Finch College is fictional, yet UNC Chapel Hill grounds it in authenticity.
- The Fisher house is partly real and partly imagined, blending fantasy with reality.
This careful combination allows viewers to believe in Cousins as if it were a real place they could return to summer after summer.
Final Thoughts
So, where was The Summer I Turned Pretty filmed? The answer weaves through the coastlines and campuses of North Carolina. Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville, Kure Beach, Fort Fisher, Southport, and UNC Chapel Hill all played a role in creating the world of Cousins Beach.
Now, with the upcoming film confirmed, these iconic locations are set to remain part of the show’s legacy. Whether you’re planning a fan trip or simply curious, knowing the real-world places behind Cousins adds a new layer of love for the series.
Have you visited any of these spots or plan to in the future? Share your experience—it’s always exciting to see how fiction and reality meet on the shores of Cousins Beach.