Where Is Cousins Beach? Discover the Real Filming Locations
Every summer, millions of viewers escape to the dreamy coastal town featured in Prime Video’s hit series “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” The show’s stunning beaches and charming small-town vibe have sparked a burning question among fans: where is Cousins Beach in real life? The truth will surprise you—the beloved coastal paradise exists only in fiction, but its filming locations are very real and waiting to be explored.
What Is Cousins Beach?
Cousins Beach serves as the enchanting summer getaway in Jenny Han’s bestselling book trilogy and its popular television adaptation. This picturesque seaside town is where protagonist Isabel “Belly” Conklin spends her summers with the Fisher family, creating memories filled with romance, friendship, and coming-of-age moments. The series portrays Cousins Beach as the quintessential New England summer destination—complete with weathered shingle-style homes, hydrangea-filled gardens, and nostalgic boardwalk charm . The cousins beach setting is central to the story, acting as more than just a backdrop—it’s practically a character itself, holding decades of family history and emotional significance.
Is Cousins Beach a Real Place?
The answer to where is Cousins Beach might disappoint some dreamers: this beach town does not exist on any map. Author Jenny Han has confirmed that Cousins Beach is entirely fictional, though it draws inspiration from multiple East Coast destinations . Han created Cousins Beach by blending elements from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, the Hamptons, and North Carolina’s Outer Banks . She intentionally kept the location ambiguous to allow readers and viewers to project their own cherished beach memories onto the story. “Everybody has like a beach they’ve been to as a kid, so people like in Sweden or in Vietnam can imagine their own,” Han explained . The fictional cousins beach setting allows audiences worldwide to connect with Belly’s summer experiences.
Where Was The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed?
While the fictional town remains elusive, the television series had to film somewhere. If you’re wondering where is Cousins Beach on screen, the answer lies in North Carolina. The production team chose Wilmington, North Carolina, as the primary filming location, transforming this coastal city into the Cape Cod-style summer paradise . Several specific locations around Wilmington brought Cousins Beach to life:
Carolina Beach: This charming beach town served as many of the iconic Cousins Beach shoreline scenes, with its classic boardwalk and family-friendly atmosphere providing the perfect backdrop .
Kure Beach: Known for its peaceful vibes and historic fishing pier, Kure Beach doubled as various seaside locations throughout the series .
Wrightsville Beach: This popular destination contributed additional beach and water scenes, showcasing North Carolina’s beautiful coastline .
Southport: The famous “Entering Cousins Beach” sign appears in this historic port town, creating the perfect photo opportunity for fans .
The production team paid meticulous attention to detail, installing authentic Cape Cod-style cedar shingle siding and planting Susannah’s favorite hydrangeas throughout the sets .
Iconic Filming Locations to Visit
Fans searching for where is Cousins Beach can visit these real filming spots and experience the magic firsthand.
Wilmington’s Historic District
Downtown Wilmington appears throughout the series, transformed into the fictional Cousins Beach town center. Visitors can explore the charming streets that host Belly’s favorite shops and cafes. The historic architecture and southern hospitality create a welcoming atmosphere that perfectly captured the small-town beach feel the show required .
Padgett Station
This Wilmington landmark appears in several pivotal scenes. The building’s classic architecture and central location made it a natural choice for portraying various town establishments. Its authentic character adds to the nostalgic feel that defines Cousins Beach .
Cape Fear Country Club
Fans will recognize this location as the Cousins Beach Country Club, where Belly celebrates her debutante ball and other significant events. The club’s grand architecture and manicured grounds provided the perfect backdrop for the show’s more formal scenes .
The New England Connection
Though filming occurred in North Carolina, where is Cousins Beach supposed to be in the story? The narrative places Cousins Beach near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Fisher family’s year-round home in Boston establishes this geographic connection, and several story clues reinforce the New England setting . The show’s creators brilliantly used filmmaking magic to make North Carolina look like Cape Cod, adding regional details like clam shacks, lighthouse imagery, and coastal New England architecture. This blend of southern filming locations with northern fictional setting creates the unique visual identity that makes Cousins Beach so memorable .
Book vs. Series: Location Differences
Understanding where is Cousins Beach requires distinguishing between the books and the TV series. In Jenny Han’s novels, Cousins Beach remains even more ambiguously located, allowing readers’ imaginations to fill in the geographic blanks. The books mention the Fisher family living in Boston during the school year but never explicitly state which state Cousins Beach occupies . The television adaptation added more specific clues, including the “Good Morning Massachusetts” broadcast mention, which led many viewers to assume the setting was Massachusetts . This creative difference demonstrates how visual media often requires more concrete location details than written fiction.
Real Beaches That Inspired Cousins Beach
Now that you know where is Cousins Beach filmed, explore the actual destinations that inspired its creation .
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
This classic New England destination heavily influenced Cousins Beach’s architecture and atmosphere. The weathered shingle homes, pristine beaches, and quaint villages of Cape Cod provided the aesthetic template for the fictional town . Visitors to Cape Cod can experience the lobster rolls, scenic lighthouses, and coastal charm that Jenny Han envisioned when creating Cousins Beach.
Martha’s Vineyard
Another Massachusetts treasure, Martha’s Vineyard’s elegant summer colonies and beautiful coastlines contributed to Cousins Beach’s upscale yet relaxed vibe. The island’s blend of natural beauty and refined coastal living perfectly captures the Fisher family’s summer lifestyle .
The Hamptons, New York
Long Island’s famous summer destination brought elements of glamour and tradition to Cousins Beach. The Hamptons’ wealthy summer residents, beautiful estates, and beach club culture influenced the fictional town’s social dynamics and settings .
The Outer Banks, North Carolina
North Carolina’s own barrier islands provided some of the natural beauty seen in the series. The stunning coastlines and wild beaches of the Outer Banks helped shape the visual identity of Cousins Beach .
Why the Mystery of Cousins Beach Matters
The question where is Cousins Beach resonates with fans because the location represents something deeper than geography. Cousins Beach symbolizes summer, first love, nostalgia, and the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood. Jenny Han intentionally created a beach that exists in the heart of everyone who has experienced a special summer place . The ambiguity allows readers and viewers from around the world—from Sweden to Vietnam—to imagine their own beloved summer spots when engaging with the story . Cousins Beach becomes personal, representing the universal experience of summer love and growing up.
Planning Your Cousins Beach Inspired Trip
While you cannot visit the fictional cousins beach, you can create your own summer memories at its real-life inspirations and filming locations.
Visit Wilmington, North Carolina: Tour the filming locations and walk the same streets as Belly and the Fisher family. Several local businesses offer filming location tours that showcase the most recognizable spots from the series .
Explore Cape Cod: Experience the New England charm that inspired Jenny Han. Visit picturesque villages, enjoy fresh seafood, and relax on beaches that capture the Cousins Beach spirit .
Discover the Outer Banks: Immerse yourself in North Carolina’s stunning barrier islands. The wild beauty and coastal culture here directly influenced the series .
Check Martha’s Vineyard: Enjoy the sophisticated summer atmosphere that defines this Massachusetts island. The elegant homes and beautiful harbors reflect Cousins Beach’s refined coastal lifestyle .
Frequently Asked Questions About Cousins Beach
Q: Is Cousins Beach a real place?
No, Cousins Beach is a fictional town created by author Jenny Han for her “The Summer I Turned Pretty” book trilogy and the subsequent television adaptation. The author combined elements from several real East Coast destinations to create this beloved summer paradise .
Q: Where is Cousins Beach located in the show?
While the show suggests Cousins Beach is near Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the series was actually filmed in and around Wilmington, North Carolina. Specific filming locations include Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Southport .
Q: Where is Cousins Beach in the books?
In Jenny Han’s books, the exact location of Cousins Beach remains intentionally ambiguous. The Fisher family lives in Boston during the year, suggesting a New England location, but the author never specifies which state contains the fictional beach town .
Q: Where is Cousins Beach filmed?
The television series primarily filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, and surrounding beach communities. The production team transformed this southern coastal city into a Cape Cod-style New England summer destination .
Q: Where is Cousins Beach in real life?
The real-life locations that inspired Cousins Beach include Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, the Hamptons in New York, and the Outer Banks in North Carolina. These destinations provided the architectural, cultural, and natural elements that define the fictional town .
Q: Where is Cousins Beach summer house?
The Fisher family’s beach house, central to the story, is a fictional property. In the series, the beach house scenes were filmed at various locations around Wilmington, North Carolina, with interiors created on studio sets and exteriors shot at local properties that fit the Cape Cod aesthetic .
Experience the Magic of Cousins Beach
Now that you know where is Cousins Beach in both fiction and reality, the adventure can begin. Whether you’re binge-watching the series, planning a visit to North Carolina’s filming locations, or exploring the East Coast destinations that inspired Jenny Han, the spirit of Cousins Beach lives on. Create your own summer memories, discover new coastal treasures, and perhaps find that the real magic of Cousins Beach lies not in its location but in the feelings it evokes. The fictional town reminds us that summer, love, and cherished memories exist wherever we choose to create them. Start planning your East Coast coastal adventure today and experience the magic that has captivated millions of viewers worldwide.
