Are you fond of watching classic Hollywood films of the 50s and 60s? Well, if you are, I’m sure you’ve watched the movie A Summer Place (1959). The classic romantic drama film follows a wealthy businessman who revives romance with a former lover, but things take a different turn when their two teenage children fall in love. In this article, I’ll discuss the movie and tell you where was A Summer Place filmed.
A Summer Place features some of the most renowned actors of the 50s and 60s, including Richard Egan, Dorothy McGuire, Troy Donahue, and Sandra Dee. Richard Egan played one of the main roles in the movie. He began his acting career in 1949 and starred in the war drama film The Glory Brigade, for which he won a Golden Globe Award. The Academy Award-nominated Dorothy McGuire, who also played a lead character in the film, was one of the sensational actresses of that period.
Now, to tell you where was A Summer Place filmed, the classic romantic drama movie was filmed in California, United States of America.
Directed and written by Delmer Daves, A Summer Place was released in the United States on 18 November 1959. The romantic drama film is a Warner Bros production distributed internationally and in the US by Warner Bros Pictures. The movie was released digitally on 1 January 2009. However, without further delay, let’s check out the movie’s filming locations.
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Where Was A Summer Place Filmed? A Summer Place Filming Location!

Delmer Daves’ A Summer Place was a hit back in the day, but the critics were not quite satisfied with the movie and had problems with certain aspects. The American audience loved the film, especially for its racy storyline. Deves was an American filmmaker and producer widely famous for directing westerns, war dramas, and romantic films.
A Summer Place received a score of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and a rating of 6.9 on IMDb. However, let’s move ahead and find out where was A Summer Place filmed.
California, United States Of America

The romantic drama film A Summer Place was shot in different locations across California. Even though the movie’s story is set in Maine, a major portion of the movie was filmed in California’s Pacific Grove and Monterey Peninsula. The coastal city of Pacific Grove was ideal for shooting the movie.
Pacific Grove falls under Monterey County and is between Point Pinos and Monterey. It has a population of 15,090. The city is home to several Victorian-era houses, which have been transformed into lodges and bed-and-breakfast inns. Pacific Grove’s most popular landmarks are the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, the Asilomar Conference Center, and the Point Pinos Lighthouse, built in 1855.
Several interior and exterior sequences involving Sylvia and Ken’s beach home were shot at Mrs. Clinton Walker’s House, also known as the Cabin On The Rock. The house was designed and built by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1952. It is situated at Carmel Point in Monterey County, California. Several other scenes were shot in Monterey County at the Honeymoon Cottage at Mission Ranch in Carmel.
Plot Of A Summer Place (1959) | A Complicated Story Of Love!

The story of A Summer Place revolves around Ken Jorgenson, played by Richard Egan. Ken, who was once just a lifeguard, has become a businessman, is extremely rich, and earns millions. He plans to visit Pine Island and stay at one of his old so-called friends’ hotels. After reaching there, he asks his wife, Helen, and teenage daughter, Molly, to come over and join him for the summer.
Soon, Ken comes across Sylvia, played by Dorothy McGuire, his former lover. Then he finds out she is married to his so-called friend Bart and has a teenage son, Troy. Ken was not expecting to see Sylvia at all and was quite surprised. After talking for a few days, Ken and Sylvia have a romantic relationship. Eventually, they discover that their two children, Molly and Troy, are also involved in a romantic relationship with each other.
Final Words
California’s Pacific Grove is the perfect place for a vacation with friends and family. You can sip margaritas and drink chilled beer while enjoying the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. If you’ve never been to this part of California before, well, now you know, so hurry up and make a plan. A Summer Place is highly recommended for those who love to watch classic Hollywood films. However, if you feel like reading more filming location articles, watch the Viebly website.
Are There Any Other Films That Were Shot In Pacific Grove?
Yes, Tom Hanks’ buddy cop movie, Turner And Hooch, was shot in Pacific Grove.
Who Wrote The Screenplay Of A Summer Place?
Delmer Daves wrote the screenplay of A Summer Place.
Is A Summer Place Based On A Novel?
Yes, A Summer Place is based on the 1958 novel of the same name by Sloan Wilson.
Is A Summer Place Available To Watch On Any Digital Platform?
Yes, A Summer Place is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video and Vudu.
Who Is The Cinematographer Of The Movie A Summer Place?
Harry Stradling is the cinematographer of the movie A Summer Place.