The events of the pilot episode cover the entire first book in the Pretty Little Liars series.
While shooting this episode in Vancouver, Ashley Benson (Hannah Marin) suggested the song "Secret" by the Pierces as the show's theme song. It was later approved due to the fact that most of the cast loved it.
Filmed in Vancouver in the winter even though the episode was set in the summer. Even though they were wearing bikinis, they had to wear boots as the camera shot from the belly button up.
Ian Thomas was originally played by Carlo Marks in the pilot and then replaced by Ryan Merriman.