Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The story is set in the fictional Cousins Beach, a town inspired by Cape Cod, Massachusetts and other Northeast coastal spots. The production, however, filmed primarily in Wilmington, North Carolina and its surrounding beaches and sites. This means the on-screen Cousins Beach is really a patchwork of southeastern North Carolina locations, from Wrightsville Beach to the Wilmington Historic District, plus one detour to Chapel Hill for the college scenes.
The Studio Side
Not everything was shot on location. The interiors of the Fisher house were filmed on sound stages at what is now Cinespace Wilmington, formerly EUE/Screen Gems Studios. The facility is a working production complex and is not open to the public, so fans should focus on the exterior and beach locations listed above. The studio has hosted numerous film and television productions over the years.
Tours That Visit These Locations
For a guided experience in Wilmington, a film-focused walking tour is available that includes Historic District and Riverwalk locations connected to the area's movie and television history. It is a general film tour rather than a dedicated Summer I Turned Pretty outing, but it pairs well with a self-guided visit to the beaches and other public filming sites.
Historic District Film Walk
Wilmywood Movie and TV Location Walk Tour
A downtown walking tour covering Wilmington's Historic District and Riverwalk film locations, ideal for pairing with a self-drive trip out to the beaches where Cousins Beach scenes were shot.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cousins Beach in real life?
Cousins Beach is fictional. The show is inspired by Cape Cod and other Northeast coastal towns, but filming took place in and around Wilmington, North Carolina, including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach.
Can you visit the Fisher family beach house?
The exterior was filmed at Porters Neck Plantation, a private gated community in Wilmington with no public access. The interiors were built on sound stages. Visitors can instead enjoy the public beach scenes filmed at nearby Wrightsville Beach.
Was the show actually filmed on Cape Cod?
No. Although the fictional setting draws on Cape Cod, all principal photography took place in the Wilmington, North Carolina area, with college scenes shot at UNC Chapel Hill.
Where was the 'Entering Cousins Beach' sign located?
The sign was placed in Southport, North Carolina for filming. Southport sits near the Wilmington area beaches used throughout the series.
Where was the peach scene in Season 3 filmed?
The peach scene in Season 3 was filmed at Trask Family Farms in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, a short drive from Wilmington.
Is there a guided tour of the filming locations?
A film-focused walking tour of Wilmington's Historic District and Riverwalk is available and includes stops tied to the area's screen history. It is a general film tour, so pair it with self-guided visits to the public beaches and bookstore.
Wilmington and its beaches make a surprisingly complete pilgrimage for fans. Most of the key sites, including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Papercut Books, and the UNC Chapel Hill campus, are open to visitors, and only the Fisher house exterior and country club remain off limits. A morning at Crystal Pier, an afternoon on the boardwalk, and a film walk downtown cover nearly everything the cameras captured across three seasons.
