Where Is Cousins Beach Supposed To Be? Unpacking The Summer I Turned Pretty's Iconic Setting

Have you ever found yourself watching "The Summer I Turned Pretty" and wishing you could pack a bag and visit Cousins Beach yourself? You're certainly not alone in that feeling. This charming, sun-drenched coastal town, with its inviting beaches, cozy summer house, and the drama of first loves, feels incredibly real, yet there's a certain magic to it that makes you wonder if it truly exists. Fans, you know, often talk about the feeling of wanting to step right into the show's world, to feel the ocean breeze, or to spend a long afternoon at the Cousins Beach Country Club. It’s a setting that, quite frankly, pulls you in.

This desire to pinpoint the location of Cousins Beach is a very common curiosity for many viewers. It makes perfect sense, too, considering how much of the series' heart and soul seems tied to this one place. The show, which is based on a beloved young adult book series by Jenny Han, truly captures the essence of summer, and a big part of that feeling comes from the vivid portrayal of its main setting. So, we're going to explore just where this memorable spot is thought to be, and also where the show actually came to life for the screen.

Today, on June 11, 2024, the fascination with Cousins Beach remains strong, especially as new viewers discover the series or long-time fans revisit their favorite moments. We'll look at the author's own inspirations and the places that helped shape this fictional world, giving us a clearer picture of this beloved summer escape. You know, it's almost like piecing together a puzzle, trying to figure out the exact coordinates of a place that feels so familiar, yet is just beyond our reach.

Table of Contents

• The Fictional Heart of Cousins Beach
• Inspirations Behind the Dream
• Cousins Beach On-Screen: Where It Was Filmed
• The Cousins Beach Country Club: A Central Spot
• The Significance of Cousins Beach to the Characters
• Frequently Asked Questions About Cousins Beach
• The Magic of an Imagined Place

The Fictional Heart of Cousins Beach

For anyone hoping to book a trip to Cousins Beach this summer, there's a little bit of news you should probably know. The truth is, Cousins Beach, as depicted in "The Summer I Turned Pretty," isn't a real place you can find on a map. It's a creation, a wonderfully imagined setting that exists within the pages of Jenny Han's books and on your screens. This might be a bit disappointing for some, but in a way, it also adds to its allure, allowing it to be the perfect summer spot without the limitations of a real-world location. It's, you know, a place built just for the story.

While the location of Cousins Beach isn't explicitly stated as a real town, many people believe it's meant to be somewhere in the state of Massachusetts. Specifically, there's a strong feeling that it could be on the beautiful peninsula of Cape Cod. This belief comes from the overall vibe and atmosphere of the story, which really captures that classic New England summer feel. It's a place where, perhaps, you might find quaint towns and sandy shores, which are very much part of the Cousins Beach charm.

Yet, here's a twist that can be a little confusing: the Amazon Prime series itself, which is based on Jenny Han's young adult trilogy, is actually set in Cousins Beach, North Carolina. This detail is stated within the show's narrative, creating a bit of a difference from the general fan belief about a Massachusetts location. It's interesting how a fictional place can have these different interpretations, isn't it? You know, it just shows how much thought goes into building these worlds.

Inspirations Behind the Dream

Jenny Han, the talented author behind the series, has openly shared that Cousins Beach is a fictional creation. She didn't just pull it out of thin air, though; it's inspired by a very thoughtful mix of places that evoke that perfect summer feeling. According to Han, the imagined town draws elements from Cape Cod, which is known for its charming seaside villages and historic lighthouses. This influence likely contributes to the perceived New England feel that many fans pick up on. It's, like, a really clever way to build a setting.

Beyond Cape Cod, Han also took inspiration from the Hamptons. These well-known areas in New York are famous for their beautiful beaches, grand homes, and a certain kind of relaxed, yet sophisticated, summer lifestyle. The inclusion of this influence helps to give Cousins Beach that touch of elegance and the feeling of a well-established summer community, where families return year after year. It's, in some respects, a blend of different coastal experiences.

Adding to this unique blend, the Outer Banks also played a part in shaping Cousins Beach. This chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina offers a more rugged, natural beauty with vast stretches of beach and a laid-back atmosphere. By combining these three distinct coastal areas – Cape Cod, the Hamptons, and the Outer Banks – Han was able to craft a place that feels both familiar and entirely unique. It makes sense that it’s not a real place, because there’s just something about it that feels, you know, perfectly tailored for the story.

Cousins Beach On-Screen: Where It Was Filmed

While Cousins Beach itself is a fictional coastal town, the magic of bringing it to life for the screen required some very real locations. The Amazon Prime series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty," was almost entirely filmed in North Carolina. This makes perfect sense, given that the show's narrative places Cousins Beach within that state. So, when you're watching Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah on their summer adventures, you're actually seeing the beautiful landscapes of North Carolina as their backdrop. It's, you know, a pretty cool transformation.

More specifically, the filming took place in and around the areas of Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina. Wilmington, with its historic district and access to coastal areas, provided many of the scenic backdrops. Southport, a charming waterfront town, also contributed significantly to the look and feel of Cousins Beach. These locations offered the perfect blend of sandy beaches, coastal homes, and the kind of community atmosphere that the show needed to create its immersive summer world. It’s actually quite amazing how they captured the essence of a fictional place using real spots.

The choice of these North Carolina towns for filming helped to ground the series in a tangible setting, even though the town's name itself is made up. The production team really did a good job of finding places that could convincingly stand in for the idyllic summer destination. So, while you can't visit "Cousins Beach," you could, perhaps, visit Wilmington or Southport and get a sense of the real-world beauty that inspired the show's visuals. It's, like, a neat way to experience a piece of the story.

The Cousins Beach Country Club: A Central Spot

Throughout "The Summer I Turned Pretty," the Cousins Beach Country Club stands out as a really important place. It's much more than just a fancy building; it's a hub for many of the key events and character interactions. This club has been a main player in both seasons of the show, serving a variety of purposes that shape the characters' summer experiences. It's, you know, pretty central to everything that happens.

In the series, the country club is a significant supplier of summer jobs for the younger characters, including Belly and her friends. This aspect adds a layer of realism to their summer lives, showing them earning money and gaining responsibilities, which is, like, a pretty common part of growing up during those long, warm months. It's where they learn about working and interacting with the adult world in a different way than just being on vacation.

Beyond employment, the country club also served as the elegant venue for Belly’s debutante ball in season 1. This event was a really big moment for her, marking a significant transition and bringing together many of the show's characters in a formal setting. It showcased a different side of Cousins Beach life, one with traditions and community gatherings. Then, in season 2, the club even became an impromptu overnight refuge for the gang, showing its versatility and importance as a safe space during a time of need. It's, you know, a very versatile location.

The Significance of Cousins Beach to the Characters

Cousins Beach is far more than just a backdrop in "The Summer I Turned Pretty" series; it's a character in itself, really. It serves as the main setting and a deeply meaningful location for the entire story. This is the place where Susannah's summer house resides, a place that holds countless memories for the characters and is central to their shared history. It's, you know, the heart of their summer world.

It's at Cousins Beach where Susannah's best friend Laurel, along with her children Belly and Steven, regularly visit her during their summer vacation. This tradition is the foundation of the entire series, as these annual trips are where Belly experiences all her formative moments – her first crushes, her heartbreaks, and her growth from a young girl into a young woman. The beach town is, like, a witness to all their changes.

The town represents a sanctuary, a place of comfort and continuity, where the characters can truly be themselves and where their most important relationships unfold. The rhythm of summer at Cousins Beach, with its traditions and familiar spots, shapes who they become. So, while you can't actually visit Cousins Beach, its emotional resonance is incredibly real for anyone who watches the show. Learn more about the series and its characters on our site, and link to this page for more details about the show's production.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cousins Beach

Many people have questions about Cousins Beach, given how real it feels in the series. Here are some common inquiries that come up, and the answers based on what we know about this special place.

Is Cousins Beach a Real Place?

No, Cousins Beach is not a real place. It is a fictional creation by author Jenny Han for her book series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty." While it draws inspiration from several real coastal areas, you won't find it on any map. It's, you know, a purely imagined location for the story.

Where is The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed?

The Amazon Prime series "The Summer I Turned Pretty" was almost entirely filmed in North Carolina. Specifically, production took place in and around the towns of Wilmington and Southport. These real-world locations helped bring the fictional Cousins Beach to life on screen. It's, like, pretty cool how they found such fitting spots.

What State is Cousins Beach Supposed to Be In?

This is a bit interesting! While many fans believe Cousins Beach is meant to be in Massachusetts, possibly on Cape Cod, the Amazon Prime series itself states that Cousins Beach is set in North Carolina. So, depending on whether you're thinking about the author's general inspiration or the show's stated setting, you get a slightly different answer. It's, you know, a little bit of both, in a way.

The Magic of an Imagined Place

Even though Cousins Beach isn't a spot you can physically visit, its impact on viewers is very real. The way Jenny Han crafted this setting, blending elements from different beloved coastal areas, truly makes it feel like the ultimate summer escape. It’s a place that, you know, lives vividly in the minds of fans, representing those carefree days, first loves, and the deep bonds of family and friendship.

The fact that it's fictional allows it to be, in a way, perfect. It can embody all the best parts of a summer vacation spot without any of the drawbacks. The show's filming in North Carolina then gives that imagined place a beautiful, tangible look, making it even more convincing. So, while you might not be able to book a rental house there, the spirit of Cousins Beach is something you can always revisit through the series. You know, it's pretty much a perfect summer dream. To learn more about the author who brought this world to life, you could, for instance, check out Jenny Han's official website.