Filming Sites for "The Summer I Turned Pretty": A Guide to the Real-life Places from the Show, Listing Those Accessible for Visit
Hey, here's a lowdown on the spellbinding filming locations for "The Summer I Turned Pretty," the captivating romance series that took the world by storm:
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Set in the fictitious beach town of Cousins Beach, inspired by Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this heart-fluttering drama was actually shot in sunny Wilmington, North Carolina. nicknamed "Hollywood East," this glorious city has been a magnet for filmmakers since the '90s, hosting the filming of iconic series like "Dawson's Creek," "Sleepy Hollow," and "Weekend at Bernie's."
With Season 3 of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" just around the corner, it's high time to relive the filming locations of seasons 1 and 2!
Locations Galore for 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'
Wilmington's Golden Beaches
The sandy beaches and dreamy bonfires were captured across Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. Much of the night beach sequences in Season 1 were filmed at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, while the path taken by Belly and Jeremiah from the summer house to the beach was filmed on Wrightsville Beach. These beaches offer a bucketful of thrilling activities, like kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, and canoeing for visitors.
Porters Neck Plantation
Boasting five bedrooms, six bathrooms, an infinity pool, a private dock, a pier, and a 33-foot boat slip, the Fisher family's beach house resides within the private, gated Porters Neck Plantation golf course community. Numerous exterior shots, such as Belly's arrival and the Fourth of July bash in Season 1, took place here. Regrettably, the home is private property and visitors are not allowed.
Cape Fear Country Club
The exclusive country club in Season 1, where Jeremiah and Belly's brother Steven worked and the audition preparations took place, was filmed at the century-old Cape Fear Country Club. This members-only club features an 18-hole golf course and has managed to remain elusive to visitors, though you might catch a brief glimpse as you drive by.
Papercut Books
In the second episode of Season 1, Laurel's book party took place at The Whale of a Tale bookshop. Many exterior shots from this scene were filmed at the cozy, independently-owned Papercut Books in downtown Wilmington, which specializes in both new and vintage books.
Cape Fear Marina
The heart-racing sailing lessons with Conrad in Episode 3 of Season 1 were filmed at Cape Fear Marina near the Hilton Drawbridge in Wilmington. Despite being a residential and recreational marina, it's not easily accessible to visitors.
Capt'n Bill's Backyard Grill and Volleyball Facility
The beach volleyball court scene in Season 1 wasn't actually shot on a beach. Instead, it was filmed at Capt'n Bill's Backyard Grill and Volleyball Facility in Wilmington, a favorite hangout in the city with multiple sand volleyball courts and leagues.
University of North Carolina
Season 2 showcased several scenes at Brown University, but they were actually filmed at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, due to the unyielding challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The team had considered filming at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but alas, circumstances compelled them otherwise.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk
The enticing boardwalk adventure in Season 2, featuring the friendly competition between Belly, Conrad, Jeremiah, and their pals, was captured at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park in various scenes.
Hell's Kitchen
The vibrant Hell's Kitchen bar was used for Season 2 filming. A notorious location for its filming history, it has previously been featured in "Dawson's Creek," "One Tree Hill," "Florida Man," and "Electric Love."
The sun-kissed beaches of Wilmington, where scenes from both seasons of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" were filmed, offer a plethora of activities for thrill-seekers, including kayaking and surfing.
For those intrigued by Belly's book party scene in Season 1, a visit to the charming, independent bookstore, Papercut Books in downtown Wilmington, is worthwhile, as exterior shots from this scene were filmed there.
