Unknown to many viewers now (especially those not from the Los Angeles area) was the Source Family, a cult in the Los Angeles area - initially known for their vegetarian restaurant (all members' names end with 'Aquarius', such as the actor in this episode, Aesop Aquarian). Much of the material of this episode is partially based on them. Additionally, Mr Aquarian, himself has stated he was also a member of the Family (aka the Manson cult). Many young people at this time and especially in this area were looking for the 'meaning in life', i.e., 'peace and love', and though he was associated with these two groups, Mr Aquarian did not take part in any of the heinous crimes the latter was known for.
When Jim says he has 'a friend who works at the airlines', he's referring to Lori Jenivan (Sharon Gless), from the previous season's episode, The Fourth Man (1976).
Aesop Aquarian, who plays the vendor at Yogurt All Over, on the Venice Beach boardwalk, is the only 'authentic' person from the place, and period, which the episode is about.
During the scene where Rockford and Jane are eating hamburgers and arguing about spirituality, Jane says she's 32, but Rockford corrects her saying he's seen her driver's license and she's 40 (as well as Pavarthi, who told Rockford at the ashram, she'd also seen her driver's license), and there's nothing she can do about it, despite her claims she's "youthing" herself, as Pavarthi said. In fact, at the time the episode was filmed, the actress playing Jane, Valerie Curtin, was 32 years old.
Apparently Rockford's Firebird is equipped with aftermarket gauges. When his car overheats on the way to Sunfire, he taps the face of a Stewart Warner coolant temperature gauge.