There are numerous references to William Shakespeare: the gravedigger scene is from "Hamlet", Harris K. Telemacher (Steve Martin) quotes Shakespeare twice, and the storyline contains elements from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (with the two confused couples exchanging lovers) and "The Tempest" (with a magic storm stranding the lovers, the gods (in the form of stone lions) blessing the couple, and a character named Ariel). The electronic sign also quotes Shakespeare with "There are more things n Heaven and Earth..."
The freeway sign was programmed to deliver its messages in multiple languages so it wouldn't have to be subtitled in foreign-language releases.
The name of the hotel in Santa Barbara is "El Pollo del Mar", which translates as "Chicken of the Sea" (a nickname and brand name for albacore tuna).
Sarah Jessica Parker has stated that this movie changed her career. Up until this point, she had always played mousy girls or the best friend. She said that no one in Hollywood had thought of her as "sexy". Once she was cast in this role, several new doors opened for her.