If you have teens, chances are you’ve heard them talk about this Amazon Prime Video Series. It’s a heartwarming program that splashed onscreen in June 2022. It’s a story about teen love in the summer. But where was The Summer I Turned Pretty filmed? Let’s get started.

Where was The Summer I Turned Pretty filmed
The Summer I Turned Pretty Backdrop

Where Was The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed?

The Summer I Turned Pretty filming location is in Wilmington, North Carolina but Cousins Beach is a fictional place. Jenny Han, the author, had a lot of beaches in mind while writing the book series. She took inspiration from Virginia Beach, Cape Cod, the Outer Banks, and the Hamptons when writing about the location. Some filming also took place at Cape Fear in Southport.

The house is on the Porters Neck Plantation, a private gated golf course in Wilmington.

The Summer I Turned Pretty – The Story

The story takes place in Florida and is based on the three novels written by Jenny Han. The first book was released in 2009. It’s a coming-of-age romantic drama series. The story is about two families whose mothers are childhood friends. They spent their annual summer vacations together each year on Cousins Beach. One mother has two sons and the other mother has a daughter and a son. Eventually, there’s a summer romance and a complex love triangle involving the two brothers.

Where Was The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed - Riding Beachside

Jenny Han was heavily involved in the book-to-series adaptation. The series was very successful which resulted in the books skyrocketing to the top of the Amazon Best Sellers list. Before the series was released, a second series had already been approved.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2

Just announced! The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2 is available and it is going to be awesome! Here is the official trailer:

Belly used to count down the days until she could return to Cousins Beach, but with Conrad and Jeremiah fighting over her heart and the return of Susannah’s cancer, she’s not sure summer will ever be the same. When an unexpected visitor threatens the future of Susannah’s beloved house, Belly has to rally the gang to come together—and to decide once and for all where her heart lies.

» Watch The Summer I Turned Pretty on Prime Video.

The Cast

The main cast includes:

  • Lola Tung (Isabel “Belly” Conklin)
  • Rachel Blanchard (Susannah Fisher)
  • Christopher Briney (Conrad Fisher)
  • Jackie Chung (Laurel Park)
  • Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah Fisher)
  • Alfredo Narciso (Cleveland Castillo)
  • Sean Kaufman (Steven Conklin)
  • Minnie Mills (Shayla)
  • Tom Everett Scott (Adam Fisher)
  • and Colin Ferguson (John Conklin)

The Director

The first series has three directors. Erica Dunton, Jeff Chan, and Jesse  Peretz. There’s no information yet on who will be directing the second series.

Erica Dunton has also directed episode in Ted Lasso, Good Trouble, The Bold Type, and more. You may remember Jesse Peretz from directing episodes in Divorce, Orange is the New Black, The Mindy Project, The Office, City on Fire, Only Murders in the Building, and more.

What is Wilmington Famous For?

Wilmington, North Carolina is steeped in Civil War history. As part of the south it’s also known for its beauty and southern charm. 

Wilmington, North Carolina is also known for its historic downtown district, which features a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions such as the Cape Fear Museum and the Bellamy Mansion Museum. The city is also known for its beaches, including Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.

Where Was The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed - Wilmington North Carolina

It is a popular filming location for both television and movie productions. It’s known for its scenic rivers, beaches, and lush landscapes. The city has been featured in films such as Iron Man 3, A Walk to Remember, One Tree Hill, Safe Haven, Where the Wild Things Are, and Brain on Fire. Wilmington was also the location for hit television shows such as Dawson’s Creek, and One Tree Hill.

Additionally, it is also known for its southern hospitality and its proximity to other popular tourist destinations in the area, such as the Cape Fear River and the North Carolina Aquarium.

Other Amazon Studios and TV Shows Film Locations

Unique Places in Wilmington

There are a few unique places you can visit in Wilmington. Be sure to check out the:

Museum of the Bizarre: the price to enter this strange world is only $3 and holds a number of oddities. There are letters from serial killers, a 2-headed calf, vintage medical equipment, Harry Houdini’s ouija board, and even a lock of Alexander Hamilton’s hair.

Where Was The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed - The museum of the bizarre

And don’t forget to check out the…

The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden is dedicated to Stanley Rehder who made it his life’s work to study and cultivate flesh-eating plants. He is known as the “Flytrap Man.” It is recommended that you wear closed toed shoes when you visit!

Things to Do in Wilmington, NC

There are plenty of places to visit. Be sure to check out the Cape Fear Museum. It’s the oldest museum in North Carolina. This two-story structure includes Wilmington’s colonization and its role in the Civil War.

The Wilmington National Cemetery was established right after the Civil War and is the final resting place for the Union Soldiers. It holds 557 soldiers. It has a total of 6,000 burial plots that include soldiers from all American wars and conflicts.

The Wilmington River Walk is about a one-mile walk along the river and a number of historical sites including the USS North Carolina Battleship, The Cotton Exchange, and the 1914 Murchison Building.

The Poplar Grove Plantation gives you a hint of what it was like to live in the 1850s. The house was built by Joseph Mumford Foy in the 1850s. Visitors can explore the original outbuildings, antique-filled rooms, and 835 acres of landscaped grounds by taking a guided tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cousins Beach a real place?

Cousins Beach is a fictional place in Wilmington, NC.

Is the Beach house in The Summer I turned Pretty Real?

Yes. The beach house is real but it is a private residence located in a private golf community. 

Even if you have no interest in the TV series, Wilmington is a great place to visit with tons of things to do especially if you have a penchant for Civil War history. You may even run into a celebrity or two. Wilmington is also frequented by Dustin Hoffman, Jennifer Aniston, Michael Jordan, and Robert Downey, Jr.

Have you ever vacationed in Wilmington, North Carolina? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

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