The 949 area code is in southern Orange County, California. It covers Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo and San Clemente. Unlike most big California codes, 949 has no overlay, so it is the only area code for its region.
This guide covers where 949 is, which cities use it, its time zone and history, and how to handle a 949 call from a number you do not know.
949 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | Southern Orange County |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | April 18, 1998 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Overlay | None |
| Toll-free? | No |
Check another code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 949 Area Code Located?
Area code 949 is located on the coast of Southern California, between Los Angeles and San Diego. It takes in the southern half of Orange County.
Cities in the 949 area code
- Irvine
- Newport Beach
- Laguna Beach
- Mission Viejo
- Lake Forest
- Laguna Niguel
- Laguna Hills
- Aliso Viejo
- Dana Point
- San Juan Capistrano
- San Clemente
- Rancho Santa Margarita
- Parts of Costa Mesa
Northern Orange County is in different codes. Anaheim, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach and Fullerton use 714 and 657.
What Time Zone Is the 949 Area Code In?
The 949 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 New York and two hours behind Texas.
History of the 949 Area Code
- 1947: all of Southern California is in 213.
- 1951: 714 is created for the area south and east of Los Angeles, including Orange County.
- April 18, 1998: 949 is split from 714 and takes southern Orange County.
Southern Orange County grew very quickly in the 1980s and 1990s as new planned communities and office parks filled in the land between Newport Beach and San Clemente. Fax lines, pagers and mobile phones used up 714 numbers, and a split was the usual solution at the time.
Because 949 was created by a split, everyone in the affected cities had to switch from 714 to 949 in 1998. No overlay has been added since, so the code still stands alone.
Why 949 Has No Overlay
Most busy California codes now share their area with a second code: 310 with 424, 805 with 820, 213 with 323. So far the 949 region has not needed one. If it gets close to running out, regulators are likely to add an overlay rather than split it again, because overlays let everyone keep their existing numbers.
How to Dial a 949 Number
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 949 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 949 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 949 a Scam?
A call from 949 is most often a person or business in Irvine, Newport Beach or one of the nearby cities. The area has many finance, mortgage, real estate, medical device and software companies, so sales and service calls from 949 are common nationwide.
Scammers also use 949 numbers, usually through spoofing. Be alert to:
- Mortgage, refinance or student loan “relief” offers
- Car warranty and insurance robocalls
- Calls about a problem with your bank card or an online order
- Any caller who pressures you to decide right now
What to do with an unknown 949 call
- Let it go to voicemail.
- Do not give or confirm your Social Security number, date of birth or card details.
- Call the company back on a number you looked up yourself.
- Block repeat callers.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 949 Phone Number
- Carriers: open a line with a southern Orange County address or ask the store for a local number.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search for 949 numbers and forward calls to a mobile or office line anywhere.
- Toll-free numbers: useful if you want customers across the country to reach you at no cost.
More details are in our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 800 area code.
Area Codes Near 949
| 714, 657 | Northern Orange County: Anaheim, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach |
| 562 | Long Beach, Norwalk, Whittier |
| 951 | Riverside, Corona, Temecula |
| 760, 442 | Oceanside and northern San Diego County |
| 619, 858 | San Diego |
| 310, 424 | West Los Angeles and the South Bay |
Related guides: 619 area code for San Diego and 310 area code for the Los Angeles Westside.
949 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 949?
Irvine is the largest. Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel and San Clemente are also in 949.
What county is area code 949?
Orange County, California.
Is 949 in Los Angeles?
No. It is south of Los Angeles County, in Orange County.
Is 949 toll-free?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
What is the difference between 949 and 714?
They cover different parts of Orange County. 714 serves the north and 949 serves the south. Until 1998 both were part of 714.
Final Word
The 949 area code serves southern Orange County on Pacific Time and has been in service since 1998. It has no overlay. For unknown callers, voicemail first and callback second.
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