Where Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Set

So, you’ve been binge-watching The Summer I Turned Pretty, and now you’re hit with the real hard-hitting question of our time: Where the heck is this place, and why does it look like a fever dream of perfect beaches, giant sundresses, and emotionally unavailable boys? You’re not alone. Half the internet is currently Googling “Cousins Beach real life” while ignoring their actual work emails. Let’s settle this, and I promise you’ll get more concrete answers than Belly ever gets from Conrad.

The Short Answer: It’s a Movie Magic Sandwich

Here’s the truth bomb: Cousins Beach doesn’t exist. I know, I know—gasp, clutch your pearls. It’s a fictional town invented by author Jenny Han, so you can’t book a plane ticket there. But the show’s producers said, “Challenge accepted,” and Frankenstein-ed together a gorgeous fake beach town from bits of North Carolina and Rhode Island. It’s like they built a dream vacation spot out of spare parts, and honestly, I’m not mad about it.

The majority of the outdoor shots—the sand, the waves, the brooding gazebo scenes—were filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. Yes, that’s the same place where Dawson’s Creek made us all cry in the 90s. So, basically, North Carolina is the official state for teenage angst by the ocean. You’re welcome.

The Famous Beach House: Your Future Airbnb Fantasy

Now, let’s talk about the real star of the show: the beach house. That sprawling, sun-drenched, impossibly clean mansion where everyone casually walks in and out like they own it? That is the real heartthrob. The exterior—with its white shingles and dreamy porch—is a private home in Wilmington’s Landfall community. It’s so fancy that the people who actually live there probably have a garage for their garage.

Fun fact: the interior of the house is a completely different building. The cozy living room, the endless kitchen counter for dramatic conversations—that was filmed on a soundstage in Wilmington. They literally built a fake version of the dream house. It’s like when your favorite influencer uses three filters on one photo, but for architecture. Totally relatable.

But Wait—Where’s the Pool and the Boardwalk?

Ah, you caught me. The show also uses locations in Rhode Island, specifically to film Cousins’ charming downtown and the infamous boardwalk scenes. The town of Watch Hill—a swanky little spot on the coast—doubles as the Cousins shopping district where Belly buys her impractical summer dresses. If you visit, you’ll recognize the iconic Ocean House hotel. Yes, it’s as expensive as it looks.

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Filming Locations and Set Design

And that adorable little candy shop, The Flying Horse Carousel? That’s a real-life historic carousel in Watch Hill that’s been spinning since 1876. It’s older than your grandmother’s advice about not dating brothers. Surprising fact: the carousel’s horses are actually suspended from the ceiling, which is terrifying if you think about it too long, but it makes for cute TV moments.

The “Belly Flop” of Geographic Logic

Here’s where it gets funny. The show claims Cousins is in New England—there are mentions of driving “a few hours” from Boston. But then they show palm trees and lush greenery that scream North Carolina humidity. New England doesn’t have palm trees, my friends. They have pine trees and brusque waitstaff. The show’s geography is so flexible, it makes a GPS weep. But you know what? We don’t care. We’re here for the love triangle, not a map test.

In a 2022 interview, Jenny Han admitted she based Cousins on her own childhood summers in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. She wanted a vibe of “nostalgic, slightly messy perfection.” So, if you squint, the setting is a mélange of her memories, a soundstage, and a dash of Southern coastal charm. It’s the avocado toast of TV settings—a little bit of everything, pretending to be from one place.

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Filming Locations and Set Design

So, Can You Visit?

Yes, but with caveats. You can’t knock on the Landfall house door (please don’t), but you can drive by and sob. You can also visit Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina, which is used for the actual beach scenes. It’s public, it’s gorgeous, and it smells like sunscreen and broken hearts. Wilmington also offers studio tours where you can see the fake house set. It’s like a museum of yearning.

If you want the Rhode Island experience, head to Watch Hill. Just know you’ll be surrounded by rich people who are very confused by your “Team Jeremiah” t-shirt. Pro tip: bring snacks. Everything in Watch Hill costs approximately one kidney.

The Final Verdict

At the end of the day, The Summer I Turned Pretty is set in a mythical land I like to call Anytown, USA: Emotional Damage Edition. It’s a place where the sun always golden-hour glows, boys play volleyball in perfect lighting, and the biggest problem is which brother to choose. The real answer? It’s set wherever your heart wants to escape to. Probably a place with good Wi-Fi and no real responsibilities. You know, like a dream. Or a really effective ad for North Carolina tourism.