You’ve probably spent hours staring at the screen, watching Belly Conklin navigate the messy transition from childhood to first love, thinking one thing: I need to go there. The scenery in the show is basically its own character. It’s all salt air, white picket fences, and that specific type of coastal lighting that makes everything look like a Polaroid from 1998. But if you try to punch "Cousins Beach" into your GPS, you’re going to end up disappointed.
It doesn't exist. Not really.
The fictional town from Jenny Han’s book series—and the massive Prime Video hit—is a composite. While the story is technically set in a fictionalized version of the Hamptons or perhaps Cape Cod, the actual production takes place much further south. Specifically, the crew sets up shop in and around Wilmington, North Carolina.
The Real Cousins Beach is in North Carolina
Wilmington is no stranger to the camera. It’s often called "Wilmwood" or "Hollywood East" because it’s been the backdrop for Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, and a dozen Nicholas Sparks movies. There is something about the humidity and the moss-draped oaks that just screams "coming-of-age drama."
When fans ask where do they film The Summer I Turned Pretty, the short answer is the Cape Fear region. But the long answer involves a jigsaw puzzle of different coastal towns that create that perfect, idyllic summer vibe.
Most of the beach scenes you see—the bonfires, the surfing, the late-night heart-to-hearts by the water—are filmed at Wrightsville Beach. It’s a stunning stretch of sand, but it's busy. To get those shots of Belly and Conrad alone, the production often has to work around the massive crowds that flock to the area. They also frequent Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, which have a slightly more "old school" boardwalk feel compared to the upscale aesthetic of Wrightsville.
That Iconic Summer House
The Fisher house is the heart of the show. It’s where Susannah and Laurel drink wine on the porch and where the boys grow up. In reality, this isn't a single seaside mansion. The exterior of the house is actually located in a private, gated community called Figure Eight Island.
Figure Eight is incredibly exclusive. You can't just drive onto the island to take a selfie; there’s a bridge with a guard house. This makes it the perfect spot for a high-budget production because it offers privacy, but it also means fans can't really "visit" the porch where Belly had her first real realization about her feelings for Conrad.
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Interestingly, the interiors are often built on soundstages. The EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington houses the massive sets for the rooms inside the house. This allows the lighting crew to control that "golden hour" glow even when it’s pouring rain outside. It's a bit of movie magic that breaks the illusion, but honestly, that’s just how the industry works.
Why Wilmington Beats the Hamptons for Filming
Jenny Han has mentioned in interviews that Cousins Beach was inspired by a mix of places—Martha’s Vineyard, Nags Head, and the Hamptons. So why film in North Carolina?
Money and infrastructure.
North Carolina has a deep pool of local crew members who have been working on teen dramas since the late 90s. Plus, the architecture in Wilmington’s historic district fits the "old money" vibe required for the show's debutante balls and country club scenes.
The Country Club and the Debutante Ball
Remember the scene where Belly finally makes her debut? That wasn't a set. That was the Cape Fear Country Club. It’s one of the oldest clubs in the South, and it perfectly captures that slightly stuffy, high-society atmosphere that Susannah Fisher’s world demands.
They also used the Padgett Station for various transportation scenes and the Wilmington Convention Center for some of the larger event setups. If you walk around downtown Wilmington near the Riverwalk, you’ll recognize the brick paths and the colonial-style buildings that stand in for the "village" area of Cousins.
Season 2 and the Shift to "Real" Locations
In the second season, the show expanded its footprint. We saw more of the town itself as the characters dealt with the grief of losing Susannah and the threat of losing the beach house.
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The production moved into more public spaces, including:
- Hell’s Kitchen: A real bar/restaurant in downtown Wilmington that has a history with Dawson's Creek.
- The Papercut Arcade: This is actually Cape Fear Spirits & Beer, transformed for the show.
- The Boardwalk: Many of the "carnival" vibes come from the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, which has that nostalgic, neon-lit feel that contrasts with the refined world of the country club.
It’s worth noting that the show doesn't just use these places as backdrops; they often keep the local businesses' names or slightly tweak them, which has led to a massive spike in tourism for the region. People aren't just looking for Belly; they’re looking for the feeling the show evokes.
The Difficulty of Shooting on Water
Filming at the beach is a nightmare. Ask any cinematographer. You have to deal with the tide, which moves your "set" every six hours. You have the sun, which changes the color of the water. And you have the wind, which ruins audio.
When you see the cast out on the boat, they are often in the Intracoastal Waterway. The water there is calmer than the open ocean, making it easier to keep the cameras steady. Even so, the cast has talked about the grueling hours spent under the North Carolina sun. It’s not all lounging and romance; it’s a lot of sunscreen and waiting for clouds to pass.
Can You Visit the Filming Locations?
Yes and no.
You can absolutely grab a coffee in downtown Wilmington and walk the same streets as Lola Tung and Christopher Briney. You can tan on Wrightsville Beach. You can even visit Russell's Quikie Mart (it’s a real convenience store in the area).
But you can't go to the house. Since the primary exterior is on a private island, "set jetting" fans often find themselves staring at a guarded bridge. It’s probably for the best—the residents of Figure Eight Island aren't exactly looking for busloads of Team Jeremiah fans blocking their driveways.
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A Quick Reality Check on the "Cousins" Aesthetic
The show uses a specific color grade to make everything look warm and inviting. If you visit Wilmington in July, be prepared: it is hot. It is "my shirt is stuck to my back" kind of hot. The show does a great job of making the characters look effortless, but the reality of filming in North Carolina in the summer involves a lot of portable air conditioners and makeup artists frantically dabbing away sweat between takes.
Hidden Details You Probably Missed
The production team is obsessive about the "Cousins" branding. If you look closely at the background of scenes in the town, you’ll see "Cousins Beach" logos on trash cans, benches, and shop windows. These are all temporary stickers and props.
Local residents often report seeing the "Cousins Beach Police" SUVs driving around during filming. These aren't real cops, obviously, but the detail is so convincing that tourists have been known to try and report actual crimes to the actors in uniform.
Also, the "Fat Pelican" in Carolina Beach—a legendary local dive bar—made an appearance. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best dive bars in the country, and its inclusion gave the show some serious local street cred.
What’s Next for the Production?
As the show moves into Season 3 (and potentially beyond, given the massive viewership), the production is expected to stay rooted in North Carolina. There’s a specific "look" to the light there that they can’t easily replicate elsewhere.
If you're planning a trip to see where do they film The Summer I Turned Pretty, your best bet is to book a stay in the Wilmington Historic District or at Wrightsville Beach.
Actionable Tips for Your "Cousins Beach" Trip
- Check the Permits: If you want to see filming in action, Wilmington lists film permits on their city website. It won’t tell you the plot, but it will tell you which streets are closed.
- Visit the Riverwalk: This is where most of the "town" vibes come from. It’s great for a walk and very recognizable from the show.
- Go to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: For the arcade and carnival aesthetic, this is the spot. It’s much more accessible than Figure Eight Island.
- Respect the Locals: Remember that many of the filming locations are private homes or active businesses. Be the fan that people like, not the one that gets the show banned from a location.
The magic of the show isn't just in the script or the love triangle; it's in the atmosphere. Wilmington provides that in spades, even if it doesn't have the "Cousins" name on the welcome sign.