The 369 area code is an overlay serving California’s North Bay and North Coast, layered over the 707 code from Wine Country to the redwood coast. Introduced in 2022 to supply new phone numbers for the region, 369 covers the exact same territory as 707. If a 369 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 369 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 369 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Santa Rosa, Vallejo, Napa, Fairfield |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 707 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 369 covers California’s North Bay and North Coast, spanning Sonoma, Napa, and Solano counties and reaching north through Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 707 area code rather than covering a separate zone.
Cities and communities served by the 369 area code include:
- Santa Rosa – the largest city in the North Bay and the heart of Sonoma County
- Vallejo & Fairfield – major Solano County cities along the I-80 corridor
- Napa – the hub of the world-famous Napa Valley wine region
- Petaluma, Vacaville & Eureka – communities from the North Bay up to the redwood coast
As a newer code over Wine Country and the North Coast, 369 numbers are typically assigned to residents and businesses who obtained phone service after the region’s original 707 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 369
Area code 369 was activated in 2022 as an all-services overlay on the 707 region. The 707 code itself was created in 1959 in a split from 916. An overlay adds a second area code across the same geographic area, so existing 707 customers kept their numbers while new lines could be assigned either 707 or 369. The region uses mandatory 10-digit dialing to keep every number unique.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 369 area code use Pacific Time (PT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from PST (UTC-8) to PDT (UTC-7) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 369
Because 369 is an overlay of 707, the region requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code – 369-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-369-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 369 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 369 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 369 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 369 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 369 is a legitimate California area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 369, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted North Bay line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection |
| Disaster relief & charity scams | Fake wildfire-relief or donation appeals common after regional emergencies |
How to report, block, and look up 369 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in California
Area code 369 sits alongside several other Northern California codes:
- 707 – the original North Bay code that 369 overlays (see our 707 area code guide)
- 415 – San Francisco and Marin County to the south (see our 415 area code guide)
- 916 & 279 – the Sacramento region to the east (see our 916 area code guide)
- 510 – the East Bay across the bay (see our 510 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our California area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 369
Where is the 369 area code located?
Area code 369 covers California’s North Bay and North Coast, including Santa Rosa, Napa, Vallejo, and Fairfield. It operates on Pacific Time as an overlay of area code 707.
What is the difference between 369 and 707?
There is no geographic difference. 369 is an overlay covering the exact same area as 707; it was added simply to supply more phone numbers as the region grew.
Is 369 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 369 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the North Bay and North Coast.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 369 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 369 Guides
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.