Area code 820 covers Oxnard and surrounding areas in California. It was activated in 2018 as an overlay of area code 805. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 805. For the full picture, see all California area codes.
| State | California |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Oxnard |
| Cities also served | Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Camarillo |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST) |
| Year established | June 30, 2018 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 805 |
| Overlay codes | 805 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 820
Area code 820 serves California Central Coast — Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of Monterey County, including the following cities and communities:
- Oxnard
- Ventura
- Santa Barbara
- Thousand Oaks
- Simi Valley
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Maria
- Camarillo
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 805, 661, 831.
How to Get a 820 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 820 area code, each suited to a different need:
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Browse 820 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 820 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 820 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 820 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 820 number. If you already have a 820 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 820 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 820 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 820 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 820 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 820 area code still in use?
Yes. 820 is actively assigned to new phone lines in California Central Coast — Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of Monterey County.
What is the difference between 820 and 805?
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 820?
Area code 820 is an overlay of 805. Both codes serve the same region of California.
Can I get a 820 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 820 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 820 a scam area code?
No. 820 is a legitimate, active area code for California Central Coast — Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of Monterey County. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 820 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real California businesses, government offices, and residents.
Why does area code 820 exist if area code 805 already covers the same area?
820 was created as an overlay — it covers the identical geographic territory as 805 — because the supply of available 805 numbers was nearing exhaustion. The California Public Utilities Commission approved 820 on May 25, 2017, and it went into service June 30, 2018. Overlays require ten-digit dialing for all local calls.
When did ten-digit dialing become mandatory in the 820/805 area?
A permissive dialing period ran from December 1, 2017 through June 1, 2018. Beginning June 2, 2018, ten-digit dialing became mandatory for all local calls within the 805/820 numbering plan area.
What counties does the 820 area code cover?
Area code 820 covers Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and portions of Monterey County — the same territory as the 805 overlay it shares.
