Central Coast to get new 820 Area Code

Living in the 805 is about to be shared with living in the 820 with the new area code set to switch on this weekend for new phone customers on the Central Coast.

The 805 area code has been part of the Central Coast identity since it began back in 1957 after a split from the 213 area code.

For those already using 805 phone numbers, nothing changes and you get to keep the familiar three digit prefix.

The new 820 area code will be assigned to new phone customers in what the California Public Utilities Commission calls an area code “overlay” rather than a geographic split which is considered disruptive and expensive for businesses, public safety agencies, government and healthcare providers.

The are code change is due to demand for 805 phone numbers, mostly from new cell phone customers, outpacing available numbers.

The new area code will mean dialing 1, then 820, then the seven digit phone number to call someone as close as across the street.

The cost of calling an 820 area code phone number remains the same as an 805 number.