Where Was “Zoey 101” Filmed? (And Was It a Real School?)

“Zoey 101” was a very popular show on Nickelodeon. This comedy-drama series followed a group of teenagers attending Pacific Coast Academy. The main character is Zoey Brooks, played by Jamie Lynn Spears. This series ran from January 9, 2005, to May 2, 2008. It had four seasons and recently got a film titled “Zoey 102”, where Zoey is now 32. So, where was “Zoey 101” filmed? What about the movie? Follow along to find out.

What is “Zoey 101” About?

Before we dive into the filming locations of this popular 2000s series, let’s learn more about the plot and characters. “Zoey 101” is about Zoey Brooks, a new student at the made-up school, Pacific Coast Academy. It is also a boarding school that was once only for boys. This hilarious coming-of-age series revolves around Zoey and her teenage friends as they navigate school, crushes, and drama together. Some important characters, not including Zoey, are Dustin Brooks, Chase Matthews, Dana Cruz, Quinn Pensky, Lola Martinez, and Nicole Bristow.

Where Was Zoey 101 Filmed?

Now, onto the real question: where was “Zoey 101” filmed? Truthfully, most of the series was filmed in Malibu, California, specifically at Pepperdine University. This was only for the first two seasons, though. After the first two seasons, “Zoey 101” was filmed in Valencia, California. What about the sequel? “Zoey 102” was filmed far from California, in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Pepperdine University is a real school. It’s a private Christian research university in California. “Zoey 101” was not the only series filmed in this school, as was “Battle of the Network Stars” from 1976 to 1988 and again in 2017.

About Malibu, California

Malibu is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It’s a stunning beach city incorporated on March 28, 1991. The surface area of Malibu is 19.90 square miles. It has a population of around 10,000 people.

This popular city is a great place to visit, with so much to do and see. For instance, this beach city is home to El Matador State Beach. It’s a hidden gem under dramatic and beautiful buffs. The rocky formations are stunning to see during a sunset.

Also in Malibu is the Malibu Pier, a lovely tourist attraction. The Malibu Pier has been around since 1905. It’s a great place to see the water, go fishing, people watch, and shop at the many stores.

If you’re in Malibu and like state parks, you should check out Leo Carrillo State Park. While here, you can wander into the sea cave, swim in the water, and explore sea tide pools and the little creatures in them. So many films have been shot in this state park including “50 First Dates”, “Gidget”, and “Grease”.

Wildlife in Malibu, California

Malibu is filled with incredible animals, many of which live in the sea. Listed below are a few animals you may see while visiting Malibu.

Starburst Anemone

One animal you may see in Malibu is the starburst anemone, also known as the sunburst anemone. The scientific name for this sea anemone is Anthopleura sola. Starburst anemones are around 12 cm wide. They are pale green or white with tentacles that have vibrant colored tips.

Western Gull

Also in Malibu are western gulls. These large seagulls live on the west coast of North America from as far north as Canada down south to Mexico. Western gulls are common and are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. They are about 22 to 27 inches long and weigh up to 3.1 pounds.

Western Fence Lizard

Next on our list of animals that live in Malibu, California, is the western fence lizard. This lizard’s scientific name is Sceloporus occidentalis. It lives in New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, California, Utah, Oregon, and Washington. Western fence lizards are about 3 inches long, not including their tails.

Allen’s Hummingbird

If you’re lucky, you may see an Allen’s hummingbird in the city. This lovely hummingbird species is small, only weighing up to 4 grams. Allen’s hummingbirds are mainly green, red, and orange. Males are more vibrant.

Grey Whale

Last but not least are grey whales. You can see these whales if you’re lucky and go on a whale-watching boat tour. Other common whales within this area are humpback whales. Grey whales are massive. They are nearly 50 feet long and can weigh as much as 33 tons.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © christiannafzger/iStock via Getty Images