Where Is Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed

Okay, grab your iced coffee and settle in. We need to talk about the real star of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Not Belly’s love triangle drama, but the actual, literal star: the jaw-dropping setting.

Where is that impossibly dreamy beach house? You know the one. The place where every sunset looks like a screensaver and apparently no one has to worry about student loans.

Let’s spill the tea. The show was filmed in North Carolina, specifically in and around Wilmington. It’s the same area that gave us Dawson’s Creek, which is just a delicious piece of early-2000s trivia, right?

The Cousins Beach House is a Lie (a beautiful one)

That house we all want to live in? It’s not actually on the beach at all. Shocking, I know. The exterior is a real, private home located in Landfall, a fancy-pants neighborhood in Wilmington.

They built the entire interior on a soundstage. The magic of television, folks! But the exterior shots? That gorgeous wraparound porch and those steps down to the lawn? All real. You can’t tour it, though—it’s someone’s actual house.

Don’t even think about crashing the party. The owners are probably very tired of fans trying to recreate Belly’s iconic tumbling-down-the-stairs entrance. Let’s let them be.

The Boardwalk & The Rides

Do you remember the carnival scenes? The Ferris wheel that made us all swoon? That’s not a set. That’s the real deal at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

It’s a short drive from Wilmington and looks exactly like summer in a bottle. If you visit, you can ride the same wheel where Conrad was… well, being Conrad. You know, moody and gorgeous.

Just don’t expect to find Jeremiah throwing a football at your head. That’s a show-exclusive feature, sadly.

The Country Club of Your Dreams

All that tennis and brooding at the club? That’s the Landfall Country Club. Very exclusive. Very wealthy. Very “uh, can I borrow a towel?”

They also filmed at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort on Wrightsville Beach. That’s where the Fourth of July party scenes happen. It’s a real hotel you can actually book.

Imagine waking up and realizing you’re technically sleeping where Belly had a panic attack over two boys. Priorities, people.

The Diner & The Small Town Vibes

That cute diner where Belly and Conrad share a milkshake (and a thousand unresolved feelings)? That’s the Copper Penny in downtown Wilmington. It’s a real, functioning dive bar and grill.

You can sit in the same booth and pretend you’re about to have a life-altering conversation. Order a burger. The awkward silence is on the house.

And the rest of the “town” of Cousins? It’s mostly just Wilmington being its charming, coastal self. They used local streets, parks, and that one pier that looks suspiciously perfect.

Why North Carolina?

Simple: tax incentives. And honestly? North Carolina has it all. Beaches, forests, historic homes, and plenty of sunlight to make everyone’s skin glow like they’re in a sunscreen commercial.

It also has a huge film industry history. One Tree Hill, anyone? Dawson’s Creek? The state basically invented the “brooding teenager by the ocean” genre.

So, Jenny Han (the author and show creator) knew what she was doing. She gave us a setting so perfect it feels like a character itself.

Can You Visit? Yes, but Be Cool

If you’re planning a pilgrimage, do it. Wilmington is a lovely vacation spot. But remember: the beach house is private property. Do not try to crawl through the windows.

The boardwalk, the diner, the hotel? All fair game. You can literally recreate the entire season one montage in a weekend. Just bring a cute beach bag and maybe practice your longing stares.

And if you see a mysterious, dark-haired guy brooding by the water? It’s probably just a local. But hey, a girl can dream, right?

So there you have it. The magic of Cousins is real, affordable, and only a car ride away. Just don’t expect anyone to play a volleyball game with the intensity of a life-or-death match. That’s strictly TV magic.