Often described as "Baywatch on bikes", Pacific Blue aired on USA Network for five seasons (1996-2000) and became the network's highest rated drama series at the time, drawing well over 2 million regular viewers even though cable series then couldn't advertise on other cable networks or the Big Four broadcast networks.

The show underwent a major cast overhaul between seasons three and four: actors Marcos Ferraez and Rick Rossovich departed as their characters retired from the force, while four new younger cast members joined, skewing the show's cast toward a younger direction and extending the series for two more seasons.

Marcos Ferraez, whose character retired before the fourth season premiere, later returned for a one-off guest appearance in season four specifically to wrap up his character's storyline.

Characters played by Jim Davidson and Darlene Vogel, who had become romantically linked in season three, were married in the season four opener; Vogel left the regular cast at the end of that season but returned for recurring appearances in the final season, including the series finale.

The series featured numerous appearances by professional wrestling stars playing other characters, including Rena Mero (Sable), Chyna, Triple H and Shawn Michaels, since WWF Raw Is War aired on the same network (USA Network).

Carmen Electra made a special guest appearance on Pacific Blue reprising her role from Baywatch.

The series was primarily filmed in Santa Monica, Venice, Redondo Beach, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach, California, except for two 1999 episodes shot in Hawaii after executive producer Bill Nuss took the suggestion of April Masini, who had also helped bring Baywatch to Hawaii that same year.

After the first 13 episodes, the production switched to custom-painted, state-of-the-art Trek Y bikes outfitted with Spinergy wheels, NiteRider lights and Janned police bags, making each bicycle worth over $5,000; the show's form-fitting uniforms are often credited with influencing how bicycle cops dressed worldwide.