The 626 area code serves the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California, including Pasadena, Alhambra, and Arcadia. Created in 1997, 626 covers the communities east of Downtown Los Angeles at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. If a 626 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 626 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 626 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Pasadena, Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | None (single area code) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 626 covers the San Gabriel Valley, a densely populated region of Los Angeles County northeast and east of Downtown LA, bordered by the San Gabriel Mountains to the north.
Cities and communities served by the 626 area code include:
- Pasadena — famous for the Rose Bowl and the Tournament of Roses Parade
- Alhambra, Monterey Park, and San Gabriel — the western San Gabriel Valley
- Arcadia, Monrovia, and Duarte — the foothill communities
- El Monte, West Covina, and Baldwin Park — the central and eastern valley
Because it covers this diverse, established region, a 626 number carries a recognizable San Gabriel Valley identity for residents and businesses.
A Brief History of Area Code 626
Area code 626 was created in 1997, split from 818 as the greater Los Angeles area outgrew a single code. The split kept 818 for the San Fernando Valley and assigned 626 to the San Gabriel Valley. To date, 626 has remained a single area code without an overlay, though 10-digit dialing is now standard across California.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 626 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 626
Ten-digit dialing is now standard throughout California, so always include the area code.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Dial the full number — 626-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-626-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 626 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 626 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 626 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 626 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 626 is a legitimate Los Angeles area code — a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof the code, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local San Gabriel Valley 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 |
|---|---|
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA, sometimes in multiple languages |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection |
| Package-delivery phishing | Texts or calls about a “held” delivery needing a fee |
How to report, block, and look up 626 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 626 borders several other Los Angeles-area codes:
- 818 & 747 — the San Fernando Valley, 626’s parent code (see our 818 area code guide)
- 213 & 323 — Downtown and Central Los Angeles (see our 213 area code guide)
- 909 & 840 — the Inland Empire to the east (see our 909 area code guide)
- 562 (Long Beach) and 661 (Santa Clarita/Antelope 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 626
Where is the 626 area code located?
Area code 626 covers the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California, including Pasadena, Alhambra, Arcadia, and El Monte. It operates on Pacific Time.
Is 626 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 626 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
Does 626 have an overlay area code?
No. 626 remains a single area code without an overlay, though 10-digit dialing is now standard statewide.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 626 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 626 Guides
- Is a 626 call safe? Read Is area code 626 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.