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The Real Cousins Beach: Every Secret Filming Location Of The Summer I Turned Pretty (Updated 2025)

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Forget everything you thought you knew about Cousins Beach. As of December 25, 2025, the dreamy, fictional New England backdrop of The Summer I Turned Pretty (TSITP) is not actually located in Massachusetts or the Cape Cod area, but rather in a stunning, historic coastal region much further south. The show’s production team, led by author and creator Jenny Han, chose the vibrant and picturesque landscapes of Wilmington, North Carolina, and its surrounding beaches to bring the beloved trilogy to life, offering fans a real-life destination to visit that perfectly captures the magic of summer.

This comprehensive guide dives deep into the exact, real-life locations used for Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah’s most pivotal moments, from the iconic Fisher family beach house to the new college and international settings introduced in the latest seasons. The result is a fresh, unique look at the coastal towns that have become synonymous with the hit Prime Video series.

The Cast and Crew Profile: The Architects of Cousins Beach

While the focus of the article is the location, the magic of Cousins Beach is brought to life by a talented cast and the vision of its creator. Here is a brief profile of the key figures behind the series.

  • Creator & Executive Producer: Jenny Han (Author of the original book trilogy and co-showrunner).
  • Isabel "Belly" Conklin: Lola Tung (The central character whose summers change everything).
  • Conrad Fisher: Christopher Briney (The elder, brooding Fisher brother).
  • Jeremiah Fisher: Gavin Casalegno (The younger, charming Fisher brother).
  • Susannah Fisher: Rachel Blanchard (Belly’s “second mother” and the beach house owner).
  • Laurel Park: Jackie Chung (Belly’s mother and Susannah’s best friend).
  • Steven Conklin: Sean Kaufman (Belly’s older brother).

Wilmington, North Carolina: The True Home of Cousins Beach

Despite the books establishing Cousins Beach as a quintessential New England town, the majority of the filming for all seasons of The Summer I Turned Pretty takes place in and around Wilmington, North Carolina. This coastal city, often nicknamed "Hollywood East," is no stranger to television production, having served as the set for other iconic teen dramas like Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill.

Wilmington and the nearby beach towns of New Hanover County—including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach—provide the perfect blend of historic charm, expansive sandy shores, and upscale coastal architecture needed to portray the fictional town.

The Iconic Fisher Family Beach House

The centerpiece of the entire series is the sprawling, shingle-style beach house where Belly and her family spend every summer. This house is a real, private residence, and its location is one of the most sought-after pieces of information for fans.

  • Location: The house is situated within a private, gated golf course community in Wilmington, North Carolina.
  • The Vibe: While the exterior is instantly recognizable, the interiors were extensively decorated by set decorator Beth Robinson to achieve the perfect "coastal grandmother" aesthetic, blending East Coast charm with a breezy, sun-drenched feel.
  • Real-Life Status: Because it is a private residence in a secure community, fans are strongly discouraged from attempting to visit or trespass.

The Beaches, Boardwalks, and Bonfires

The beaches themselves are a blend of three distinct locales, each used to capture different moods and scenes throughout the series:

  • Wrightsville Beach: Known for its pristine waters and beautiful piers, this beach was used for many of the general daytime swimming and sunbathing scenes, capturing the classic Cousins Beach atmosphere.
  • Carolina Beach: This location is famous for the vibrant Carolina Beach Boardwalk, which was used for the dreamy carnival scenes, including Belly and Conrad’s memorable slow dance under the lights. The boardwalk is a real, public attraction you can visit.
  • Kure Beach & Fort Fisher: The more secluded, dramatic night scenes, especially the pivotal bonfire scenes, were primarily filmed at Kure Beach and near the Fort Fisher Monument parking area. This area provides the rugged, wide-open space necessary for large group gatherings on the sand.

Key Real-Life Locations from Seasons 1, 2, and the Latest Season 3

Beyond the beach house, the production utilized numerous recognizable Wilmington businesses and landmarks to create the complete town of Cousins Beach. Season 2 introduced new settings, and Season 3 has expanded the TSITP universe even further with international and college backdrops.

The Country Clubs and Upscale Venues

The Cousins Beach Country Club, the setting for the debutante ball and various social events, is actually two prominent Wilmington locations:

  • Cape Fear Country Club: This historic and exclusive club was used to depict the main Cousins Beach Country Club, hosting scenes like the Deb Ball.
  • Porters Neck Country Club: The prom scene in Season 2, which features a flashback to Belly and Conrad’s relationship, was filmed at this elegant venue in Wilmington.

Town and Shopping Spots

Several local businesses were featured, allowing fans to truly walk in Belly's shoes:

  • The Dress Shop: The exterior of the shop where Belly and Laurel shop for the Deb Ball dress was filmed at Blush Haus of Beauté, located in the Wilmington shopping center, Lumina Station.
  • The Motel (Season 2): The memorable and emotional scene in Season 2 where Belly breaks things off with Jeremiah was filmed at the real-life Azalea Inn Motel in Wilmington.
  • Hell’s Kitchen: The popular diner where the gang often grabs a bite is a real-life Wilmington institution.

Fresh Locations for The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3

The upcoming Season 3, based on the final book, We’ll Always Have Summer, introduces significant new settings as the characters move beyond their high school years:

  • Finch College (UNC-Chapel Hill): When Belly attends Finch College, the production used the stunning campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the stand-in. Many current students were even used as extras, adding to the authenticity.
  • International Setting (Paris, France): A major plot point involves a trip to Paris, and the production team did film scenes in the City of Lights, including a cafe in the 11th arrondissement, giving the show a true international scope for the first time.
  • Bespoke Coffee: A coffee shop scene in Season 3, where Belly tells Taylor about her engagement, was filmed at Bespoke, a coffee shop in downtown Wilmington, confirming that the city remains the primary hub for the series.

Cousins Beach vs. Wilmington: The Real-Life Inspiration

While the actual filming takes place in North Carolina, the fictional town of Cousins Beach is heavily inspired by the New England coastal towns of the book series, particularly the Cape Cod area.

The producers chose Wilmington, NC, due to its favorable filming incentives, its historic architecture that can easily double for New England, and its robust infrastructure for large-scale television production. Ultimately, the show successfully blends the architectural charm of a Cape Cod getaway with the expansive, sun-soaked beaches of the North Carolina coast, creating an idyllic, believable summer haven for fans around the globe.

Whether you're Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, a visit to Wilmington allows you to experience the real-life magic of Cousins Beach, walking the same boardwalks and beaches as Belly and the Fisher brothers.

The Real Cousins Beach: Every Secret Filming Location of The Summer I Turned Pretty (Updated 2025)
where is tsitp filmed
where is tsitp filmed

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