Area code 805 covers Oxnard and surrounding areas in California. It was activated in 1957 as an overlay of area code 213. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 820. For the full picture, see all California area codes.
| State | California |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Oxnard |
| Cities also served | Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Camarillo |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST) |
| Year established | January 1, 1957 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 213 |
| Overlay codes | 820 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
805 as an Overlay of 213
Area code 805 is an overlay of area code 213, meaning the two codes share the exact same geographic territory in California Central Coast — San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, with portions of Monterey and Kern counties. When 805 was activated in January 1, 1957, all existing 213 phone numbers stayed unchanged. New phone lines in the region may now be assigned either 213 or 805, and ten-digit dialing is required for all local calls. For the full history of the area, its cities, and what these codes mean culturally, see our page on area code 213.
Cities Served by Area Code 805
Area code 805 serves California Central Coast — San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, with portions of Monterey and Kern counties, including the following cities and communities:
- Oxnard
- Santa Barbara
- Ventura
- Thousand Oaks
- Simi Valley
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Maria
- Camarillo
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 661, 831, 820.
How to Get a 805 Phone Number
Ready to Get a 805 Number?
One-time fee. No monthly charges. Port to any carrier in 3–5 business days. NYC's most trusted source since 2009.
Browse 805 Numbers →There are three ways to get a phone number with the 805 area code, each suited to a different need:
- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 805 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 805 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 805 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
- Port an existing 805 number. If you already have a 805 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of California sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 805 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 805 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 805 numbers for Oxnard, California — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 805 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 805 area code still in use?
Yes. 805 is actively assigned to new phone lines in California Central Coast — San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, with portions of Monterey and Kern counties.
What is the difference between 805 and 820?
Today they share the same geographic territory in California. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
What is the parent area code of 805?
Area code 805 is an overlay of 213. Both codes serve the same region of California.
Can I get a 805 number if I don't live in California?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 805 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 805 a scam area code?
No. 805 is a legitimate, active area code for California Central Coast — San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, with portions of Monterey and Kern counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 805 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real California businesses, government offices, and residents.
Related Reading
- When Did We Start Using Area Codes?
- How Many Area Codes Are In the US?
- Who Invented Area Codes?
- Why Use Area Codes For Local Calls?
Looking for a different code? See the complete US area code directory.
