Chesapeake Shores is based on the series of novels of the same name by Sherryl Woods, and was produced by Chesapeake Shores Productions Inc in association with Borderline Distribution.

Jesse Metcalfe's departure from the series was announced in March 2021, with his character Trace Riley's storyline concluding early in season five; Robert Buckley joined the main cast that same season as new love interest Evan Kincaid.

The series is filmed on Vancouver Island, in the towns of Qualicum Beach and Parksville, British Columbia, with the first season shot there from May through July 2016.

In addition to playing musician character Trace Riley, actor Jesse Metcalfe performs some of the songs used in the show's episodes and, being a songwriter of more than a decade, composed two of the songs himself.

The two-hour series premiere on August 14, 2016 drew 1.942 million viewers, with its largest demographic being viewers over age 50.

Over its first season, Chesapeake Shores became Hallmark's most-watched series in the network's history among women and adults aged 25–54 in live plus three days (L+3) DVR viewing, which led to its renewal for a second season.

Netflix holds the international streaming rights to Chesapeake Shores and releases episodes weekly, while Sony Pictures Television manages the show's international rights; as of 2023 all episodes are also available on Peacock.

A spinoff television film was announced simultaneously with the renewal for a fourth season, which was shortened to only six episodes.