If you’ve spent any time on BookTok or scrolling through summer reading lists lately, chances are you’ve heard about The Summer I Turned Pretty. The dreamy beach setting, emotional love triangle, and nostalgic summer vibes have made the series a favorite among teen and adult readers alike.
But here’s the fun twist for North Carolina readers: while Cousins Beach may be fictional, much of the hit TV adaptation was actually filmed right here in North Carolina, my home state— especially around Wilmington and the surrounding coastal towns.
For fans of the books, visiting these locations feels a little like stepping directly into Belly’s world.
What Is The Summer I Turned Pretty About?
Written by Jenny Han, the trilogy follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin as she spends summers at Cousins Beach with her family and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah.
The books include:
At its heart, the series is about first love, growing up, heartbreak, friendship, and the bittersweet feeling of summers that change everything.
Readers love the emotional storytelling, but let’s be honest — the beach-town aesthetic is a huge part of the magic too.
Cousins Beach Isn’t Real — But Wilmington, NC Is
Although the books are set in a fictional New England beach town inspired by places like Cape Cod, the TV series was filmed primarily in and around Wilmington.
That means the cozy coastal atmosphere fans fell in love with actually comes from some of North Carolina’s prettiest beach towns.
The series used locations throughout:
- Wilmington
- Wrightsville Beach
- Carolina Beach
- Kure Beach
- Southport
Famous Filming Locations Fans Can Actually Visit
Wrightsville Beach
Many of the iconic beach scenes were filmed at Wrightsville Beach, including romantic walks and oceanfront moments between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah. Fans especially recognize the Crystal Pier area from the show.
The beach has that perfect “endless summer” feel with soft sand, blue water, and charming beach houses that absolutely match the vibe of the books.
Matter of fact my sister is buried just around the corner from there and I often try to see if I can find the locations in the series when I got down and put flowers on her grave.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk
The nostalgic boardwalk scenes were filmed at Carolina Beach Boardwalk.
Think carnival lights, summer snacks, games, and all the classic beach-town fun that makes the series feel so magical.
Fort Fisher
Several emotional and scenic moments were filmed near Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.
This area is especially recognizable for its windswept dunes and peaceful shoreline scenes. Plus if you love to bring your furbabies to the beach with you this is one of the few beaches that allows them throughout the year. Fort Fisher has a great beach access with a bathrooms, changing rooms and sometimes the snack bar is open.
Downtown Wilmington
Beyond the beaches, many scenes were shot throughout historic downtown Wilmington. The charming streets, waterfront views, and local shops give the show its cozy small-town atmosphere.
Why Readers Love the Series So Much
There’s something deeply nostalgic about these books. Even if you’ve never spent a summer at a beach house, Jenny Han captures that feeling of wanting time to slow down before life changes forever.
The series blends:
- Summer romance
- Family traditions
- Friendship drama
- Coming-of-age moments
- Coastal small-town charm
And honestly? The North Carolina filming locations make the TV adaptation feel even more real and relatable.
For NC readers, it’s fun knowing that some of television’s most swoon-worthy beach scenes were filmed right here in our own backyard.
Planning Your Own “Cousins Beach” Trip
If you’re a fan of the books or the show, a Wilmington-area getaway makes the perfect reading retreat.
Bring along your favorite Jenny Han book, grab an iced coffee, and spend the day:
- Walking the beach at Wrightsville
- Watching the sunset at Kure Beach
- Exploring the Carolina Beach Boardwalk
- Browsing bookstores in downtown Wilmington
It’s basically the closest thing to visiting Cousins Beach in real life.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, there’s no denying that The Summer I Turned Pretty has become one of the defining summer reads of this generation.
And thanks to North Carolina’s beautiful coastline, fans can actually experience a little piece of that dreamy summer magic for themselves.
So if you’re looking for your next emotional beach read — or your next North Carolina road trip — this series might just inspire both.
If you don’t have time to read the books you can always watch the series on Amazon prime.
And let me know if you are Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad. I am CONRAD all the way.
