Q. What is it supposed to be on the show? A. A patio cafe. Q. Where is it supposed to be on the show? A. Somewhere in Miami, near a marina. Q. When did we see it on the show? A. In Episode 9, of Season 8, "Make Your Own Kind of Music". Quinn and Deb are at a restaurant table together, on a patio with an ocean view. They talk shop for a moment, then the talk turns to Jamie.  Quinn says he'd like to solve Cassie's murder for Jamie, because the two were close. He says that he hasn't been there for Jamie, emotionally.  He says Jamie is always accusing him of comparing her to Debra (which somewhat embarrasses Deb). Debra suggests that Quinn question Jamie again about Cassie's murder, but he says he can't be professional where she's involved, so Deb says she will talk to her. Q. What is it actually in real life? A.  A restaurant patio. Q. Where can I find it in real life? A. This is the patio of McKenna's on the Bay, at 190 N. Marina Drive, in Long Beach, CA. The restaurant is located at the far north end of the Alamitos Landing center, sharing the center with other restaurants and various shops.

The center is perched on the edge of Alamitos Bay and marina, offering fine views of boats passing by in the blue channel.


They shot this scene on the small patio, behind the restaurant, at its northwest corner.


The center can be hard to find.  It is tucked away at the very southwest end of Marina Drive, very close to the dock used in this season's scene with Hannah and a sea plane.


And it is just a few blocks south of the "King's Bay" restaurant, where they filmed the scene of Dexter stalking Saxon.

(You can find their website here.
)

I shot the photos below in 2013.

Q. How the heck did you figure out where it was?

A.  In the early seasons, I usually had to hunt down the locations after viewing the episodes, using clues from the various scenes.  By the now, though, I've developed a small group of fans, spies & tipsters who kept an eye out for Dexter filming in their neighborhoods, and let me know in advance when something is about to film there.

Between those reports, my own personal reconnaissance around town, and a few new resources I discovered, by the time the new first episode airs, I already know most (but not all) of the filming locations, and only need to watch the episodes and match up the scenes with the correct locations.

This group of helpful fans includes Rick, Ellen, Suzi, Elaine, Mia, Julie, Kerry, Joel, Eric, Jeff, & others. My thanks to all of them.


This tip came from Rick.  (Thanks, Rick!)