The season was filmed from August 2005 to July 2006 in Los Angeles, California, with additional footage in New York City.

Accompanied by her best friend and housemate Montag, the pair attend the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, though the latter left the college after receiving employment from Bolthouse Productions.

Conrad befriends Port through an internship with Teen Vogue, while Montag develops a companionship with Patridge after learning that she lives in their apartment building.

Lauren's road to independence was documented shortly after leaving Laguna Beach and moving to Los Angeles with her then best friend, Heidi Montag.

The friends discovers that the LA lifestyle is not all it's cracked up to be, after learning the harsh reality of balancing social life, love, and careers, as old flames resurface, new friendships are formed, and secrets are exposed.