The Summer I Turned Pretty is a drama grounded in a coastal California setting that feels both specific and familiar. The story follows teenager Susannah Fisher and two brothers during a transformative summer, and much of the show’s tone comes from its seaside atmosphere and sun-drenched visuals. While the series uses a combination of studio work on soundstages and carefully selected outdoor locations, the coastal backdrop is real in spirit and rooted in identifiable places. This guide outlines where the show is based, which cities and beaches appear on screen, and how production logistics shape the storytelling.
The Primary Setting: A Fictional Coastal Town Rooted in Reality
Narratively, The Summer I Turned Pretty is set in a fictional seaside town that reflects many characteristics of affluent California beach communities. The characters navigate high school, family dynamics, and the emotional tides of growing up against a backdrop of oceanfront homes, boardwalks, and bustling summer streets. This setting is not directly named in the series, but it is clearly inspired by real places in California, particularly along the coast near Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The show balances specific studio sequences with location shoots to create a sense of place that feels lived-in and seasonal.
Key Real-World Inspirations for the Town
- Coastal architecture and street layouts resembling those in Santa Barbara and Malibu.
- Beach culture and boardwalk scenes echoing Santa Monica and Venice.
- Affluent residential neighborhoods similar to those in Pacific Palisades and Montecito.
Actual Filming Locations Across Southern California
Though the series presents a cohesive coastal world, filming took place at multiple studios and outdoor sites scattered across Southern California. Production designers and location managers worked to maintain visual consistency so that the town appears unified, even when different streets and storefronts are filmed in separate places. The primary goal was to capture the feeling of a warm, sunlit seaside town, and the logistics of filming required strategic coordination. Below is a breakdown of where specific scenes were captured and how each location contributes to the show’s look and feel.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Production Location | Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, California | Production reports |
| Iconic Beach Scenes | Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Santa Monica, California | Location permits and production notices |
| Boardwalk and Pier Looks | Santa Monica Pier and other public pier locations | On-set photos and show production notes |
| Residential and Exterior House Shots | Scattered neighborhoods in Los Angeles County and Santa Barbara County | Local filming schedules and permits |
| Studio Backlots for Interiors | Multiple soundstages at Warner Bros. Studios | Industry databases and studio records |
How the Coastal Aesthetic Is Built Through Location
The show’s coastal aesthetic relies on a mix of unobtrusive studio interiors and sunlit outdoor shoots that highlight Southern California light. Scenes set on beaches, boardwalks, and in front of ocean-facing homes were captured at several well-known coastal sites. Manhattan Beach, with its broad shoreline, has been used for wide ocean shots, while Santa Monica provides recognizable pier and storefront backdrops. Producers favored real streetscapes over heavy set construction to speed up filming and preserve natural light, which gives the series its inviting, summery glow. This decision also ties the show to identifiable places without locking it to a single town name.
Why a Fictional Town Instead of a Real One?
The choice to use a fictional coastal setting allows the series more narrative freedom. By not naming a specific town, creators can blend elements from multiple communities into one cohesive world. It also avoids tying the story to real events or exact municipalities that might impose restrictions or unwanted attention. At the same time, the show leans on recognizable landmarks and beach towns, which helps viewers project their own local memories onto the series. This approach is common in teen and family dramas that want the feel of a real place without the constraints of a real location.
Production Considerations and Location Logistics
Filming in multiple locations across Southern California creates both creative opportunities and logistical hurdles. Coordinating permits for beaches, streets, and boardwalks requires advance planning, especially during peak tourist season when coastal towns are busiest. Studio time at Warner Bros. is scheduled around these location shoots to keep the production on track. The balance between controlled studio environments and unpredictable outdoor sites shapes pacing, scheduling, and ultimately the look of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Understanding this hybrid approach helps explain why some scenes feel hyper-real while others rely on stage-built sets for consistency.
Common Production Challenges
- Weather variability affecting beach schedules and golden-hour shoots.
- Permit restrictions and crowd control at popular public beaches and piers.
- Maintaining visual continuity across different streets and architectural styles.
The Role of Audience Imagination in Placemaking
Though the series never names its town, viewers often map their own experiences onto the coastline. Some identify hints of Santa Barbara in the architecture, while others see echoes of Southern California beach towns they know personally. The show’s use of general landmarks and unnamed streets invites this interpretation, allowing the setting to feel personal and universal at the same time. Rather than anchoring the story to a single real-world town, the production intentionally leaves room for audience projection, which strengthens emotional engagement across a broad viewer base.
Summing Up Where the Story Takes Place
The Summer I Turned Pretty is set in a fictional coastal town that draws heavily from the look and feel of Southern California beach communities. Filming spans studio sets in Burbank and outdoor locations including Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, and surrounding areas. This combination of real streets, recognizable piers, and controlled studio work creates a cohesive, sunlit world that feels both specific and flexible. Understanding where the show is based—and where it is not—helps clarify its storytelling choices and explains how the series builds its inviting seaside atmosphere.