Spot the Pineapple: The candy dish is pineapple shaped.
The title of the episode, Santabarbaratown, comes from the movie it plays homage to, Chinatown. The last name of the murder victim, Veronica Towne, comes from the man who wrote the screenplay for Chinatown, Robert Towne.
While speaking to Jordan, Henry becomes angry and tries to attack him. Shawn restrains him and calls him 'Sipowicz.' He is referring to Andy Sipowicz, a somewhat volatile character from the TV series NYPD Blue.
Veronica Towne and her daughter Dahlia are named for Veronica Lake and the film noir in which she starred, "The Blue Dahlia."
Max Gail is best remember for playing Det. Stan 'Wojo' Wojciehowicz on the series Barney Miller.