The 559 area code covers the central San Joaquin Valley in California. Fresno is its largest city, and Clovis, Visalia, Tulare and Hanford are also in it. Since 2025 it has shared the area with the 357 area code.
This guide covers where 559 is, the counties and cities it serves, the time zone, the history and what to do about unknown 559 calls.
559 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | Fresno, Visalia and the central San Joaquin Valley |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | November 14, 1998 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 357 (overlay since March 26, 2025) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 559 Area Code Located?
Area code 559 is located in the middle of California, between the coast ranges and the Sierra Nevada. It serves Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare counties. Main cities:
- Fresno
- Clovis
- Visalia
- Tulare
- Hanford
- Madera
- Porterville
What Time Zone Is the 559 Area Code In?
Fresno is on Pacific Time.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC-8, in winter
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC-7, from mid March to early November
That makes it three hours behind New York and two hours behind Chicago. Most offices there answer between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time.
History of the 559 Area Code
- Before 1998: the area is part of 209.
- November 14, 1998: the southern part of 209 is split off as 559.
- March 26, 2025: 357 is added as an overlay, and ten-digit dialing becomes required.
The overlay was added because 559 was expected to run out of numbers in 2025. The northern half of the old 209 area is covered in our 209 area code guide.
What the 559 Area Is Known For
The central San Joaquin Valley is one of the most productive farming regions in the country, and Fresno is its commercial center. Growers, packing houses, trucking firms and farm labor contractors account for a great deal of the calling in the area. It is also the gateway to several national parks in the Sierra Nevada, so lodges and tour operators use 559 numbers too.
How to Dial a 559 Number
Dial all ten digits for every call in this area.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 559 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 559 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 559 a Scam?
Most 559 calls are local. Be careful with calls or texts about job offers, immigration services or utility bills that ask for a payment up front.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Someone who says they are from the IRS, Social Security or a court and demands payment
- Tech support calls about a virus on your computer
- Investment or crypto offers from a company you do not know
- Texts that ask you to click a link to fix a billing problem
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.
What to do with an unknown 559 call
- Let it ring out and check the voicemail.
- Search the full number online before you call back.
- Block the number and report it.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 559 Phone Number
A 559 number is easy to get, for personal or business use.
- Carriers: new lines in the area receive 559 or 357 depending on which has free numbers.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 559 number and forward calls to any phone.
- Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.
Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 833 area code.
Area Codes Near 559
| 357 | Same area as 559 |
| 209, 350 | Stockton, Modesto, Merced |
| 661 | Bakersfield |
| 831 | Salinas, Monterey |
| 805, 820 | San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara |
Related guides: 209 area code for Stockton, 916 area code for Sacramento, 805 area code for the Central Coast.
559 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 559?
Fresno, California. It also covers Clovis, Visalia, Tulare, Hanford and Madera.
What is area code 357?
It is the overlay for the 559 area and has been in service since March 26, 2025.
What part of California is 559?
The central San Joaquin Valley, in the middle of the state.
What time zone is 559?
Pacific Time.
Is 559 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 559 area code covers Fresno and the central San Joaquin Valley on Pacific Time. It has been in service since 1998 and now shares its area with 357. Screen unknown calls and call back only when the message checks out.
