The 424 area code is an overlay serving the Westside and South Bay of Los Angeles, California, sharing the same territory as the well-known 310 code. Placed in service in 2006, 424 reaches communities from Beverly Hills and Santa Monica to Torrance and the LA Harbor. If a 424 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 424 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 424 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Torrance (LA Westside & South Bay) |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 310 (shared territory) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 424 is an overlay — it occupies the exact same footprint as 310 rather than a separate area. Together they serve the western and southern parts of Los Angeles County, wrapping around the coast from Malibu down through the South Bay to the Los Angeles Harbor.
Cities and communities served by the 424 area code include:
- Westside LA — Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Brentwood, and Westwood
- Beach cities — Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, and Marina del Rey
- South Bay — Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and El Segundo
- LA Harbor — San Pedro and the area around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Because it shares the prestigious Westside and South Bay with 310, a 424 number carries the same premium coastal-LA identity — it simply reflects a more recently issued line.
A Brief History of Area Code 424
Area code 424 entered service in 2006 as an overlay for the 310 region. As the Westside and South Bay ran low on available 310 numbers, regulators added 424 across the same territory rather than splitting the map, so existing customers kept their numbers. New lines in the region may now be assigned either 310 or 424, and the area uses mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 424 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 424
Because 424 overlays 310, the region requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code — 424-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-424-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 424 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 424 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 424 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 424 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 424 is a legitimate Los Angeles area code — a call from it is not fraudulent by default. Because it is newer and less familiar than 310, some people are wary of it, and scammers may spoof the code to disguise their real number as a trusted Westside line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics your own number’s first six digits, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Entertainment/casting fraud | Fake “talent agency” or audition calls requesting fees |
| 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 |
| Auto-warranty robocalls | Recorded warnings that your vehicle warranty is expiring |
How to report, block, and look up 424 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 424 shares and borders several other Los Angeles-area codes:
- 310 — the original Westside and South Bay code that 424 overlays (see our 310 area code guide)
- 213 & 323 — Downtown and Central Los Angeles (see our 213 area code guide)
- 818 & 747 — the San Fernando Valley (see our 818 area code guide)
- 562 (Long Beach) and 626 (San Gabriel Valley)
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 424
Where is the 424 area code located?
Area code 424 covers the Westside and South Bay of Los Angeles, California — the same area as 310 — including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Torrance. It operates on Pacific Time.
Is 424 a real area code?
Yes. In service since 2006, 424 is a legitimate Los Angeles area code introduced as an overlay for the 310 region.
Is 424 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. As a newer overlay, 424 is assigned to landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers across the Westside and South Bay.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 424 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 424 Guides
- Is a 424 call safe? Read Is area code 424 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Los Angeles area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.