The Ultimate Guide To Cousins Beach: Uncovering The Real-Life Filming Locations Of The Summer I Turned Pretty

Every fan of The Summer I Turned Pretty dreams of visiting Cousins Beach, the idyllic, sun-drenched coastal town that serves as the heart of Belly's coming-of-age story with Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. As of the latest updates in December 2025, the biggest secret about this beloved setting remains: Cousins Beach is entirely fictional, a creation of author Jenny Han's imagination, though it is heavily inspired by the classic New England beach towns of Cape Cod.

However, the magic of the show is brought to life in a very real, very charming location. The actual backdrop for the emotional summers, the beach parties, and the iconic Fisher family beach house is not in Massachusetts, but rather in the picturesque coastal region of Wilmington, North Carolina, and its surrounding barrier islands. This deep dive will reveal the specific, real-world spots where the cast—Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno—filmed the most memorable scenes from Seasons 1, 2, and the highly anticipated Season 3.

The Fictional Charm: Where Cousins Beach Is *Supposed* to Be

To understand the atmosphere of Cousins Beach, it helps to know its fictional roots. In Jenny Han's book trilogy, the town is heavily implied to be a classic New England beach destination, likely somewhere on Cape Cod or the Hamptons on Long Island.

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• The Vibe: The town is depicted as an affluent, exclusive summer destination, a place where families return year after year, building a history steeped in tradition and summer memories.
• The Inspiration: Han has mentioned drawing inspiration from her own beach experiences, blending the nostalgia of a perfect summer with the specific aesthetics of East Coast coastal towns.
• The Reality Check: Despite the New England feel, you won't find a "Cousins Beach" on any map. This fictional setting allowed the production team to cherry-pick the most beautiful elements of various coastal towns to create the ultimate summer paradise.

This blending of fictional New England charm with real-life Southern coastal beauty is what gives the series its unique, aspirational aesthetic. The show successfully captures the essence of a perfect summer vacation spot, regardless of its actual geographic location.

Wilmington, North Carolina: The Real Cousins Beach

The vast majority of filming for The Summer I Turned Pretty takes place in and around Wilmington, North Carolina. This coastal city and its nearby beaches provide the stunning, sun-drenched backdrop that defines the series. Wilmington is a major hub for film and television production, often referred to as "Hollywood East."

The Real Beaches Used for Filming

The sandy shores where Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah spend their days are a composite of several beautiful North Carolina beaches. Each location contributes a specific look and feel to the fictional Cousins Beach.

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• Wrightsville Beach: Known for its pristine waters and vibrant surf culture, Wrightsville Beach is a major stand-in for the general Cousins Beach coastline. Many of the wide, open beach scenes and surfing shots were captured here.
• Carolina Beach: This beach is famous for its vintage boardwalk and amusement park, providing the perfect atmosphere for the fun, carnival-like scenes and the youthful energy of the town.
• Kure Beach: Offering a slightly more rugged and natural feel, Kure Beach and the nearby Fort Fisher State Recreation Area were used for various outdoor and scenic shots.

Iconic Cousins Beach Landmarks and Their Real-Life Counterparts

Beyond the beaches, several specific locations in Wilmington were transformed into the memorable spots of Cousins Beach, allowing fans to walk in the characters' footsteps.

• The Fisher Family Beach House: The sprawling, beautiful house that is central to the entire story is a private residence located in a gated golf course community in Wilmington. While the exact address is kept private for the owners' security, the classic coastal architecture is a perfect fit for the fictional town.
• The Cousins Beach Yacht Club: The elegant venue for the debutante ball and other formal events is actually the Cape Fear Country Club in Wilmington.
• The Downtown Area: Scenes featuring shops, restaurants, and the general town atmosphere were filmed in Downtown Wilmington, particularly along the Riverwalk, which is a popular spot for emotional walks and establishing shots in the series.
• The Coffee Shop: For Season 3, the coffee shop where Belly and Taylor have a serious conversation is the real-life Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods in downtown Wilmington.

New Destinations: Season 3 Filming Locations and Future Summers

The upcoming third season, which is expected to premiere in 2025, will continue to use Wilmington, NC, as its primary backdrop, but the narrative of the third book, We'll Always Have Summer, expands beyond the beach house, requiring new and exciting locations. This means fans will get to see a broader world for Belly and the Fisher brothers.

Filming Locations Confirmed for Season 3

The production for the final season has introduced two major new settings that will add topical authority and depth to the article:

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• Finch College: In the third book, Belly attends Finch College. For the show, these scenes were filmed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), providing a realistic and beautiful campus setting.
• Paris, France: A significant portion of the third book's storyline involves a trip to Paris. The production confirmed that filming for Season 3 took place in Paris, France, which means viewers can anticipate stunning scenes featuring iconic Parisian landmarks, a stark and romantic contrast to the sunny beaches of Cousins.

This expansion to a European location is a major update and a key differentiator for the final season, moving the story from a purely coastal setting to an international stage. This shift highlights the characters' growth and the changing dynamics of their relationships as they move into young adulthood.

Planning Your Cousins Beach-Inspired Trip

Since the real Cousins Beach doesn't exist, the next best thing is to plan a trip to the actual filming locations in North Carolina. This is an excellent way to connect with the show's atmosphere and experience the beautiful coastal environment that inspired the series.

Key Destinations for Fans:

1. Wilmington Riverwalk: Take a stroll along the Cape Fear River, the location for many of Belly and Conrad's contemplative moments.
2. Wrightsville Beach: Spend a day here to experience the beach that most closely resembles the Cousins Beach coastline in the series. Look for the famous jetty.
3. Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Visit the boardwalk for a taste of the fun, classic summer environment seen in the show's carnival and date scenes.
4. Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods: Grab a coffee at the actual location used for the Season 3 coffee shop scene.

By visiting Wilmington, NC, fans are not just seeing a filming location; they are experiencing the vibrant, historic, and beautiful coastal town that truly became the heart of The Summer I Turned Pretty. It's a perfect blend of Southern charm and classic summer beach town energy, creating an unforgettable backdrop for one of the most popular young adult series.