If you’ve watched The Summer I Turned Pretty, you’ve probably found yourself wishing Cousins Beach were real.
There’s just something about it; the golden glow of summer sunsets, the boardwalk nostalgia, the sense that every corner holds a story of young love and new beginnings.
Cousins Beach may be fictional, but its magic is rooted in places we know: Cape Cod, the Hamptons, the Outer Banks.
For the series, the dream was brought to life in Wilmington, North Carolina, with its surrounding beaches painting the perfect backdrop for Belly’s unforgettable summers.
And while you can’t type “Cousins Beach” into Google Maps, you can find places that feel just like it; coastal towns where romance lingers in the salt air, where waves crash like a soundtrack, and where the sunsets seem designed for love stories.
If you’re dreaming of a seaside proposal (or even just a getaway that feels like stepping into a novel), these towns are where Cousins Beach comes alive.
A fairytale by the sea, Carmel feels like it was made for love stories. Storybook cottages line its cobbled streets, while white-sand beaches unfurl beneath windswept cypress trees. Imagine strolling hand in hand as the sky blushes pink, then dropping to one knee with the tide humming softly in the background.
For the full effect, stay at L’Auberge Carmel, a romantic inn that feels like it was plucked straight from a European love story, the kind of place where your proposal can naturally roll into champagne by the fire.
Byron Bay is where barefoot meets beautiful. With its surf-kissed beaches, lighthouse views, and an artsy, free-spirited energy, it radiates the same effortless romance as Cousins Beach. Picture a proposal at Wategos Beach, the waves curling nearby, followed by celebratory cocktails back in town.
For a stay that matches the vibe, check into Raes on Wategos, a dreamy boutique hotel right on the beach.
Few places capture romance like Tulum, with its ancient ruins standing watch over turquoise waters. It’s rustic, bohemian, and wildly beautiful all at once.
A proposal here, barefoot on the sand with Mayan stone in the background and the sea stretching endlessly before you, feels both timeless and cinematic. Cap the moment with mezcal cocktails under the stars at Gitano Tulum, a jungle-glam restaurant that radiates romance.
Lagos is the kind of place where the scenery steals your breath. Hidden coves, golden cliffs, and winding pastel streets all add up to a destination that feels both intimate and extraordinary. Proposing at Ponta da Piedade as the sun dips into the sea is a moment straight out of a love story.
Stay nearby at Casa Mãe, a chic boutique hotel that blends Portuguese charm with modern soul.
Biarritz blends ocean romance with a touch of French elegance. Surfboards rest by chic cafés, waves curl beneath the lighthouse, and couples stroll the promenade like characters in their own coastal novel. It’s laid-back yet sophisticated, the perfect mix for a proposal that feels both spontaneous and stylish.
Continue the story by staying at Regina Experimental Biarritz, where the view is just as exquisite as the one in Cousins Beach.
Hoi An glows with warmth, from its lantern-lit streets to the sandy stretches of nearby An Bang Beach.
There’s a charm here that feels disarmingly genuine, a coziness that makes even the simplest moments feel special. It’s the kind of place where a quiet proposal, barefoot with a glass of wine by the shore, lingers in your memory forever. For a beachfront escape, try Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort, a breezy boutique stay steps from An Bang.
Wild and windswept, Sagres feels like the edge of the world. Its rugged cliffs and fiery sunsets are made for couples who crave intimacy away from the crowds. Proposing here isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about the quiet power of standing together with nothing but ocean stretching endlessly before you.
End the night at Memmo Baleeira Hotel, a minimalist retreat that overlooks the Atlantic.
La Concha Bay curves like a golden embrace, its crescent beach cradled by green hills. San Sebastián is as romantic as it gets, with cobblestone old streets and food so good it almost feels sinful. Proposing here, with waves lapping softly nearby, feels as natural as falling in love itself.
Keep the celebration flowing with pintxos at Bar Nestor, famous for its rustic charm and legendary tortilla.
For fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Wilmington is the closest thing to Cousins Beach itself. Its boardwalks, nearby beaches, and even the filming locations (like Southport’s “Entering Cousins Beach” sign) make it a pilgrimage spot for romantics.
A proposal here isn’t just a memory, it’s stepping right into the series. Stay at the Beau Rivage Golf & Resort, a resort hotel with all the charm of a Carolina summer.
San Juan is a sun-drenched surf town where time seems to slow down. With hip cafés, golden waves, and sunsets that set the whole beach aglow, it has the same nostalgic warmth as Cousins Beach.
A proposal here, as the sky melts into pinks and oranges, feels like the kind of moment you’ll tell your grandchildren about. Toast to forever at Clean Beach Coffee, a beachfront café that perfectly captures La Union’s laid-back spirit.
There’s something eternal about seaside places, the rhythm of the waves, the way the air seems sweeter, the way sunsets demand you pause and just be. Cousins Beach may live only on screen, but the emotions it stirs are real.
And the best part? You can step right into that magic in these towns, creating your own seaside chapter.
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