The 805 area code serves the Central Coast of California, including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. One of the state’s established codes, 805 covers a scenic stretch of coastline and valleys between the Los Angeles area and the Central Coast. If an 805 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 805 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 805 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 820 |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 805 covers Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, along with a small part of Los Angeles County. It runs along the Central Coast from the western edge of the Los Angeles metro up toward the Monterey County line, and shares its territory with the 820 overlay.
Cities and communities served by the 805 area code include:
- Oxnard and Ventura — Ventura County’s largest coastal cities
- Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley — the Conejo Valley suburbs near Los Angeles
- Santa Barbara — the “American Riviera” resort city
- San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Santa Maria — the northern Central Coast
Because it covers such a desirable coastal region, an 805 number carries a relaxed, upscale Central Coast identity for residents and businesses.
A Brief History of Area Code 805
Area code 805 was created in 1957 and once covered a much larger area of central and Southern California. Over time, portions were split off — the Bakersfield and Antelope Valley areas moved to 661 in 1999. To meet ongoing demand along the coast, the 820 overlay was introduced in 2018 across the same territory, bringing mandatory 10-digit dialing to the region.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 805 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 805
Because of the 820 overlay, the region requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code — 805-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-805-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 805 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 805 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 805 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 805 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 805 is a legitimate California 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 Central Coast 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 threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Vacation & rental scams | Fake coastal vacation rentals requesting deposits |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection |
How to report, block, and look up 805 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 805 borders several other Southern and Central California codes:
- 820 — the overlay that shares the Central Coast with 805
- 661 — Bakersfield and the northern LA County valleys (see our 661 area code guide)
- 818 & 747 — the San Fernando Valley to the southeast (see our 818 area code guide)
- 831 — Monterey and Santa Cruz to the north
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 805
Where is the 805 area code located?
Area code 805 covers the Central Coast of California, including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. It operates on Pacific Time and shares its territory with the 820 overlay.
Is 805 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 805 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Central Coast.
What is the 820 area code’s relationship to 805?
820 is an overlay introduced in 2018 that covers the exact same region as 805. New numbers may receive either code, which is why the area uses mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 805 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 805 Guides
- Is a 805 call safe? Read Is area code 805 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.