The 805 area code covers California’s Central Coast. It runs along the Pacific between Los Angeles and Monterey and includes Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and San Luis Obispo. Since 2018 it has shared the area with the 820 area code.
This guide explains where 805 is, which cities use it, its time zone and history, and what to do about an unknown 805 call.
805 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | Central Coast: Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, plus the southern edge of Monterey County |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1957 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 820 (overlay since June 2018) |
| Toll-free? | No |
Check any other number with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 805 Area Code Located?
Area code 805 is located on the coast of Southern and Central California, north-west of Los Angeles. It covers most or all of three counties.
Ventura County
- Oxnard
- Ventura
- Thousand Oaks
- Simi Valley
- Camarillo
Santa Barbara County
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Maria
- Lompoc
San Luis Obispo County
- San Luis Obispo
- Paso Robles
The southernmost part of Monterey County is also in 805.
What Time Zone Is the 805 Area Code In?
The 805 area code is on Pacific Time.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC-8, in winter
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC-7, from mid March to early November
It is three hours behind the East Coast and two hours behind Chicago and Dallas.
History of the 805 Area Code
- 1947: Southern California is covered by 213, one of the original area codes.
- 1957: 805 is created when 213 is reduced in size.
- February 13, 1999: the eastern part of 805 is split off as 661. Bakersfield, the Santa Clarita Valley and the Antelope Valley move to the new code.
- June 2018: 820 starts service as an overlay, and ten-digit dialing becomes required for all calls.
For more than 40 years 805 stretched far inland. After the 1999 split it became a coastal code, and that is how most Californians think of it today. You can read about its parent code in our 213 area code guide.
805 and 820: What Changed?
When 805 came close to running out of numbers, regulators added 820 on top of it instead of splitting the region again. Nothing changed for existing customers except dialing. You now dial the area code for every call, even to the house next door. New lines may be given either 805 or 820.
How to Dial an 805 Number
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 805 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 805 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 805 a Scam?
An 805 number is normally a resident or business on the Central Coast. The area has universities, farms, wineries, tourism and a naval base, so there are plenty of ordinary reasons for a call.
As with every area code, scammers can spoof 805 numbers. Be careful with:
- Calls that claim to be from a utility company and threaten to cut power today
- Fake bank fraud alerts that ask you to move money to a “safe” account
- Texts about unpaid tolls or parking fines with a payment link
- Calls saying you missed jury duty and must pay a fine by phone
What to do with an unknown 805 call
- Do not pick up. Check the voicemail instead.
- Never pay with gift cards, crypto or a payment app because a caller told you to.
- Contact the company through the number on your bill.
- Block the number on your phone.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get an 805 Phone Number
- Carriers: new lines on the Central Coast receive 805 or 820 depending on availability.
- VoIP and virtual numbers: pick an 805 number online and forward it to any phone. This is useful for businesses that serve Santa Barbara or Ventura County from elsewhere.
- Toll-free numbers: a good fit if you take calls from all over the country.
Learn more in our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 800 area code.
Area Codes Near 805
| 820 | Same area as 805 |
| 661 | Bakersfield, Santa Clarita, Lancaster |
| 818, 747 | San Fernando Valley |
| 310, 424 | West Los Angeles and the South Bay |
| 831 | Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz |
| 559 | Fresno and the Central Valley |
805 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 805?
There is no single city. The largest cities are Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara.
What part of California is 805?
The Central Coast, between Los Angeles County and Monterey County.
Is 805 in Los Angeles?
No. It starts just north-west of Los Angeles County, in Ventura County.
Is 805 toll-free?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
What is area code 820?
It is the overlay for the 805 region. It covers the same cities and has been in service since June 2018.
Final Word
The 805 area code covers California’s Central Coast on Pacific Time and has been in service since 1957. It now shares the area with 820. Screen unknown calls and call back only when the message checks out.
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