The 818 area code covers the San Fernando Valley, the large suburban area north of the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles County, California. Locals simply call it “the Valley”. The code shares its area with 747.
This guide lists the cities and neighborhoods in 818, the time zone, how the code was created and how to handle unknown 818 calls.
818 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, including Burbank and Glendale |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | January 7, 1984 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 747 (overlay since May 18, 2009) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 818 Area Code Located?
Area code 818 is located in the northern part of Los Angeles County. It includes independent cities and many neighborhoods of the City of Los Angeles.
Cities
- Burbank
- Glendale
- San Fernando
- Calabasas
Los Angeles neighborhoods
- Van Nuys
- Sherman Oaks
- Encino
- Studio City
- North Hollywood
- Woodland Hills
- Canoga Park
What Time Zone Is the 818 Area Code In?
The San Fernando Valley 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. A quick time check saves you from calling someone at dinner or before breakfast.
History of the 818 Area Code
- 1947: all of Southern California is in 213.
- January 7, 1984: 818 is split from 213 and takes the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley.
- June 14, 1997: the eastern part, around Pasadena, is split off as 626.
- April 2009: ten-digit dialing becomes required.
- May 18, 2009: 747 is added as an overlay.
See our 213 area code guide for the story of the parent code.
The Valley and the Studios
Burbank and the neighborhoods around it are home to several major film and television studios, along with production, animation and post-production companies. That is why casting offices, crews and entertainment businesses so often have 818 numbers. For people in Los Angeles, the code is shorthand for the Valley in the same way that 310 stands for the Westside.
How to Dial a 818 Number
Local calls in this area are dialed with the area code included.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 818 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 818 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 818 a Scam?
Most 818 calls are from residents and businesses in the Valley. Because the code is tied to the entertainment industry, it is sometimes used in fake casting, talent agency and “be an extra” offers that ask for a fee.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Fake bank or card fraud alerts that ask for your PIN or passcode
- Calls about Medicare, health insurance or a car warranty you never asked about
- Messages that claim a family member is in trouble and needs money
- Pressure to stay on the line and act right now
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 818 call
- Hang up as soon as a call feels wrong. You do not owe a stranger an explanation.
- Verify the caller through an official number, not the one they give you.
- Block the number.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 818 Phone Number
You do not have to live in the San Fernando Valley to use a 818 number.
- Carriers: new lines in the Valley are assigned 818 or 747. 747 is more likely because 818 is nearly full.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 818 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 800 area code.
Area Codes Near 818
| 747 | Same area as 818 |
| 213, 323, 738 | Downtown and central Los Angeles |
| 310, 424 | West Los Angeles and the South Bay |
| 626 | Pasadena, West Covina, El Monte |
| 661 | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Bakersfield |
| 805, 820 | Ventura County and the Central Coast |
Related guides: 310 area code for the Westside, 213 area code for downtown Los Angeles, 805 area code for the Central Coast.
818 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 818?
It covers the San Fernando Valley, including Burbank, Glendale, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills.
Is 818 Los Angeles?
Yes. It is in Los Angeles County, and many 818 neighborhoods are part of the City of Los Angeles.
What is the difference between 818 and 747?
They cover the same area. 818 started in 1984 and 747 was added in 2009.
What time zone is 818?
Pacific Time.
Is 818 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 818 area code covers the San Fernando Valley on Pacific Time. It has been in service since 1984 and shares its area with 747. Verify unknown callers before you trust the number on the screen.
