What Beach Is 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Filmed At?

I'm a huge fan of Jenny Han's works and have followed 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' since its book release. The story is primarily set in the fictional beach town of Cousins Beach, which is based on coastal areas like the Outer Banks or Cape Cod. The vivid descriptions of the beach house, boardwalks, and lazy summer days make the setting feel like a character itself. From the bonfires on the beach to the quaint local shops, Han creates a nostalgic summer atmosphere that reminds me of my own childhood vacations. The contrast between the main character's hometown and this magical summer location plays a crucial role in the coming-of-age story.

I just finished 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' and immediately jumped into 'It's Not Summer Without You' because I needed more of that summer romance vibe. Yes, it's absolutely a sequel, and it picks up right where the first book left off, diving deeper into Belly's emotional rollercoaster. The second book feels darker, more intense, with Belly dealing with the fallout of Conrad's distance and Jeremiah stepping into the spotlight. The beach house setting is still there, but the tone shifts—less carefree sunshine, more stormy emotions. Jenny Han has this way of making you feel every heartache and hope, and the sequel amplifies that. The love triangle gets messier, friendships strain, and the Fisher brothers' dynamics become even more complicated. It's a perfect follow-up because it doesn't just rehash the first book; it grows with the characters, making you ache for resolutions while clinging to every page. What I love most is how the sequel explores grief and change. The loss of Susannah hangs over everything, and you see how each character copes differently. Conrad's brooding becomes almost unbearable, Jeremiah's cheer feels forced, and Belly's caught between them, trying to hold onto the summer magic while everything falls apart. The writing still has that nostalgic, lyrical quality, but it's sharper now, like the edge of a seashell. If the first book was about first loves and sunsets, this one's about growing up when the summer ends.

Honestly, that's a really interesting question because it does feel so specific in its vibe. 'This Summer I Turned Pretty' captures that hazy, transformative feeling a lot of us associate with those endless teenage summers, even if the exact events are fiction. I mean, a love triangle between two brothers at a gorgeous beach house? That's pretty heightened drama. But the core emotions—feeling like you're finally being seen as more than a kid, the intensity of first loves, the weird nostalgia for a place you only visit seasonally—that stuff feels real. It's not based on Jenny Han's literal biography, I don't think, but it's absolutely built from the emotional truth of summer as a time capsule. The book nails that sensation of returning to a summer place and finding everything the same, but you're completely different. It’s less about ‘did this happen’ and more about ‘does this feel like it could have happened.’ For me, it totally did. The messy pool parties, the shared history with the Fisher boys, even the complicated grief Belly navigates—it all rings true to the emotional chaos of growing up.

If you're into coming-of-age stories with a heavy dose of summer romance and family drama, 'This Summer I Turned Pretty' is like a warm hug mixed with a pinch of heartache. The story follows Belly, a girl who's spent every summer at the beach house owned by her mom's best friend, Susannah. The catch? Susannah's two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah, have been Belly's childhood friends—but this summer, everything feels different. She's no longer the awkward kid; she's caught between first loves, sibling tensions, and the bittersweet reality of growing up. The book (and its TV adaptation) nails that nostalgic feeling of summers that change you forever. It's not just about romance—it dives into grief, friendship, and the messy, beautiful process of figuring out who you are. The Fisher brothers are polar opposites: Conrad's the brooding, mysterious one, while Jeremiah's the golden retriever energy we all adore. Belly's journey between them feels so authentic, like flipping through an old photo album where every snapshot stings a little. And the setting? Coastal vibes, bonfires, and that magical 'summer only' atmosphere make it impossible not to crave a beach trip afterward.

The seaside shots in 'Love at the Shore' lean heavily on classic Southern California vibes, and you can instantly tell why the filmmakers picked these spots. The big, recognizable locations are Santa Monica Beach — especially around the pier — where they shot the carnival-date montage and the boardwalk conversations. The pier’s lights and the Ferris wheel give the movie its postcard-romance moments. Beyond the pier, Venice Beach provided that quirky, character-filled backdrop: street performers, murals, and the skatepark scenes. For the more cinematic, dramatic coastline they used El Matador State Beach in Malibu, with its sea stacks and sunset cliffs for the proposal and quiet reflection shots. Laguna Beach showed up for the cozy, tidepool, shell-hunting sequences, and Zuma Beach was used for the wide, wind-swept running-on-the-sand scenes. Each place brings a different mood: Santa Monica for fun and openness, Venice for eccentric energy, El Matador for intimacy, Laguna for tenderness, and Zuma for freedom. I love how the locations almost become characters themselves — that’s what hooked me most.

If you're itching to dive into 'This Summer I Turned Pretty,' you're in luck! The show is a Prime Video exclusive, which means you'll need an Amazon Prime subscription to stream it. I binged it last summer, and the nostalgic vibes hit hard—it's got that perfect mix of teenage drama and sun-soaked romance. Prime Video's interface makes it easy to find, too; just search the title, and you're golden. For those who love physical media or want bonus features, the show might get a DVD release eventually, but for now, streaming is the way to go. I love how Prime Video lets you download episodes for offline viewing—perfect for road trips or lazy beach days. The second season just dropped, so there's even more content to devour!

Sun, salt, and that slow golden-hour vibe — 'Tasting Summer' absolutely leaned into real beaches to sell its warmth. The bulk of the seaside scenes were shot around Sanya on Hainan Island, with Yalong Bay handling most of the wide, postcard-perfect visuals. You can tell by the sweeping, calm water and that soft, white sand; the crew also used Dadonghai Beach for some of the livelier daytime scenes where local vendors and boardwalk life add texture. Beyond the main stretches, several intimate shots — the evening chats on a rocky point and the snorkeling cutaways — were filmed at Wuzhizhou Island just off Sanya. That island’s clearer water and coral-backed coves gave the film a more authentic seaside feel than a studio tank ever could. Production notes I dug up mentioned that many background extras were local vendors and surfers, and that drone footage over Yalong Bay was key to selling the film’s summertime freedom. Personally, knowing they filmed on-location in Sanya makes me itch to book a trip; those beaches look even better in person than on screen.

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' by Jenny Han is one of those books that perfectly captures the bittersweet transition from childhood to adolescence. The protagonist, Belly, is 15 when the story begins, and the series follows her over several summers as she navigates first loves, family dynamics, and self-discovery. The book resonates with readers who are around that age or anyone who remembers the intense emotions of being a teenager. The themes of friendship, love, and growing up make it a relatable read for those in their mid-teens to early twenties. What makes this book stand out is how it balances lighthearted summer vibes with deeper emotional moments. The setting of a beach house and the nostalgic tone add to its charm. While the target audience is primarily young adults, the universal themes ensure it appeals to a broader range of readers who enjoy heartfelt, character-driven stories.

the eternal quest for a good coming-of-age series! 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' is a popular novel adaptation that many fans are eager to watch. It's not available on Netflix, which might come as a surprise to some. Instead, you can catch it on Amazon Prime Video. This series beautifully captures the essence of teenage summers—think sun-kissed beaches, first loves, and all the bittersweet emotions that come with it.\n\nNow, if you're like me and enjoy a good binge-watch, you'll find that Prime Video has done a commendable job bringing this story to life. The characters are relatable, and the setting makes you want to dive right into that summer vibe. I remember reading the book and feeling that same sense of nostalgia and yearning that the series manages to evoke. It's not just about romance; it's about growing up and the fleeting nature of those magical summers.\n\nFor those who enjoy adaptations, this series is a treat. While it may not be on Netflix, it's well worth the watch if you have access to Prime Video. It's one of those series that reminds you of your own youthful days, and honestly, isn’t that what makes a summer show great?

I recently binge-watched 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' and was pleasantly surprised by its heartfelt storytelling and strong emotional core. The show is rated TV-14, which makes sense given its themes of young love, family dynamics, and personal growth. It captures the bittersweet nostalgia of summer romances and the complexities of growing up. The chemistry between Belly and the Fisher brothers feels authentic, and the soundtrack amplifies the mood perfectly. While it’s not overly explicit, it does tackle mature themes like grief and first loves, so the rating feels appropriate. If you’re into coming-of-age stories with a mix of joy and melancholy, this one’s a gem.