The Summer I Turned Pretty is set in the fictional Cousins Beach, but its unmistakable coastal backdrop is captured in real places along the California coast. Most of the series filming took place in and around Santa Barbara, California, with beach scenes and boardwalk action shot at locations such as Santa Barbara Beach, Arroyo Burro State Park, and other coastal sites. This guide breaks down exactly where key scenes were filmed, why these spots were chosen, and what they look like today so you can trace the show frame by frame.
The primary filming city: Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara serves as the main production hub for The Summer I Turned Pretty. Its mix of wide beaches, historic wharves, and mild year round weather makes it practical for long shooting schedules and doubles for many coastal towns. Below is a concise overview of confirmed locations, production names, and what each contributed to the series.
Table 1: Filming locations for The Summer I Turned Pretty
| Location (Production name) | On screen role | Type of shot | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arroyo Burro State Park (Hendry’s Beach) | Beach outings, waterline scenes | Wide and medium shots | Production records & on-set photos |
| Santa Barbara Beach (leadboard area) | Boardwalk and shoreline sequences | Establishing and walk-and-talk | Location permits & behind the scenes |
| Stearns Wharf & Santa Barbara Harbor | Marina and pier action | Overhead and atmospheric inserts | Production records |
| Downtown Santa Barbara streets | Main street errands and interiors nearby | Establishing shots and cutaways | Location scouting notes |
Why Santa Barbara was chosen
Producers selected Santa Barbara for several operational and visual advantages. The city offers diverse coastline in a compact area, reducing travel time between beaches, piers, and interior sets. Permitting processes for film and television are well established, and local vendors, crews, and accommodations are accustomed to production needs. From a storytelling perspective, Santa Barbara’s blend of relaxed beach culture and picturesque harbor aligns closely with the tone of the source material, allowing the show to feel both sun drenched and intimate.
Key beach and pier spots in detail
While exact compound entry points shift across episodes, recurring sites include the broad sands near Arroyo Burro State Park and the bustling walkways around Stearns Wharf. These areas provide safe, accessible space for larger crews and controlled lighting setups. Below is a quick comparison of the two primary beach zones used in the show.
Quick comparison of main beach locations
- Arroyo Burro State Park: natural dune lines and softer light; favored for relaxed family scenes.
- Santa Barbara Beach boardwalk: structured walkways and urban backdrop; used for bustling day and evening sequences.
- Stearns Wharf: recognizable pier infrastructure; ideal for overhead shots and character entrances.
The look and lens choices for coastal scenes
Cinematography plays a major role in selling the feeling of the coast. Wide lenses capture the expanse of shoreline while tighter frames isolate characters against the surf. The team balances natural daylight with controlled fill to maintain a bright yet grounded look. This approach allows scenes shot in Santa Barbara to feel spontaneous even when schedules demand tightly framed coverage over multiple days.
Nearby doubling options
Depending on episode needs, crews may also draw on nearby coastal access points and adjacent neighborhoods for roadways, parking lots, or residential shots. These supplementary sites sit within short distance to primary beaches, helping retain continuity of light, tide, and weather across consecutive shooting days.
What has changed between seasons
As the series progresses, certain beach set pieces evolve with character arcs and production design. Layouts on the pier may be adjusted for specific episode needs, and secondary beaches can be introduced to refresh visual storytelling. These tweaks preserve continuity while giving the show room to grow without breaking the viewer’s sense of place.
Visiting the locations today
Fans can still recognize many spots from The Summer I Turned Pretty in and around Santa Barbara. Public beaches and the boardwalk remain active community spaces, and Stearns Wharf continues to draw visitors. When you walk the shoreline or look toward the harbor, you are seeing the same backdrop that frames many pivotal summer moments on screen.
Why these locations matter to the story
The coastal setting is not just a scenic choice; it reinforces the themes of arrival, change, and connection that run through the series. Wide beach shots emphasize freedom, while tighter harbor and pier scenes highlight relationship dynamics and turning points. By anchoring the show in recognizable places, the production strengthens emotional continuity and viewer investment.
Quick recap of where to look
If you are tracing specific moments, focus first on Santa Barbara’s main beach corridor, the area near Stearns Wharf, and the stretch of coastline around Arroyo Burro State Park. These three zones underpin most of the show’s outdoor action and make it easy to map what you see on screen to where it was captured.