Bakersfield, California is served by the 661 area code, which covers the city, most of Kern County, and the northern edge of Los Angeles County. Created in 1999 when it split from 805, 661 serves the southern San Joaquin Valley. Because 661 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, though 10-digit dialing is now the standard.
Fast Facts: Bakersfield Area Codes
| City | Bakersfield, California |
| Primary Area Code(s) | 661 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | None |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) – PST / PDT |
| Major Counties | Kern (and northern Los Angeles County) |
| Dialing | 7 or 10-digit |
Area Codes in Bakersfield – Detailed Breakdown
661 – Bakersfield, Kern County & the Antelope Valley
The 661 area code covers the city of Bakersfield and most of Kern County in the southern San Joaquin Valley, and it reaches south into northern Los Angeles County to serve Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley cities of Palmdale and Lancaster.
Neighborhoods & District Mapping
Within the city, the 661 code serves every Bakersfield neighborhood – Downtown, Oildale, Rosedale, Riverlakes, the northeast and southwest suburbs, and surrounding Kern County communities such as Delano, Shafter, Wasco, and Tehachapi. The same code also extends over the mountains into northern Los Angeles County, covering Santa Clarita, Palmdale, and Lancaster in the Antelope Valley.
Bakersfield is one of the largest cities in California’s Central Valley and a hub for two of the state’s biggest industries: oil and agriculture. Kern County is the top oil-producing county in California and one of the most productive farming regions in the country, and the local economy also includes logistics, healthcare, and higher education at California State University, Bakersfield. Because the 661 region is geographically spread out, a single code has continued to serve it without an overlay.
Local Dialing Rules & International Calls
Because 661 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has traditionally worked within the region, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works. To call a Bakersfield number from outside the United States, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then the 10-digit number (area code + seven-digit line number).
Major ZIP Codes in Bakersfield
Bakersfield ZIP codes run roughly 93301–93313, with surrounding Kern County communities and the Antelope Valley (Palmdale 93550, Lancaster 93534) covered by the same 661 region.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in Bakersfield
Scammers often spoof local Bakersfield numbers to seem trustworthy. Watch for these tactics reported across the area:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Utility Shut-off | Fake PG&E reps threatening to cut power unless you pay immediately by gift card. |
| Oilfield / Farm Job Scam | Fake oilfield or agricultural job offers seeking personal data or upfront “equipment” fees. |
| IRS / Tax Scam | Callers threatening arrest over supposed unpaid taxes, demanding gift cards or wire transfers. |
| Immigration / Labor Scam | Callers posing as officials threatening farmworkers or immigrants unless they pay a fee. |
Red Flag: The IRS, Social Security Administration, and utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Hang up and verify using an official number.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is Bakersfield, California?
Bakersfield is served by the 661 area code, which also covers most of Kern County and the northern Los Angeles County communities of Santa Clarita, Palmdale, and Lancaster.
Does Bakersfield have an overlay area code?
No. Bakersfield and the 661 region are served by a single area code with no overlay.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in Bakersfield?
Because 661 has no overlay, 7-digit dialing has historically worked, but 10-digit dialing is now the recommended standard.
When was the 661 area code created?
The 661 area code was created in 1999 when it split from the 805 (Santa Barbara/Ventura) area code.
Stay Safe & Explore More
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