This movie was filmed in only thirty-nine days, despite the fact that they only had Mandy Moore for ten hours a day because she was still a minor.
Shane West loved the car he had in the movie so much that he actually bought the car; the price was only $5,000.
Much of the movie's soundtrack includes music from the band Switchfoot, who, at the time, were really only recognized in their native San Diego and in Contemporary Christian music circles. Mandy Moore was a huge fan of the band and had a great deal of influence in their participation on the film. When they were approached to do the film, however, the members really had no idea who Moore was and were not familiar with her music (despite her status as a pop star with several hits on the charts). Once they came on board, they contributed four existing tracks to the soundtrack. In addition, lead singer Jon Foreman recorded a duet with Mandy Moore, "Someday We'll Know." Moore also sings a version of the Switchfoot song "Only Hope" during the play in the film.
The inspiration for Jamie Sullivan's character and some of the events in the book/movie are from Nicholas Sparks' sister, Danielle Sparks Lewis (whom the book and movie are dedicated to).
The pictures of Jamie, on the mantle of the fireplace in the Sullivan house, are real pictures of Mandy Moore when she was a little girl.
Adam Shankman: The nurse pushing Jamie out of the hospital room when she is discharged from the hospital for private home care.