Area code 213

Area code 213 is a California telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan. It contains downtown Los Angeles and its immediate environs, and is an enclave area code, in that it is completely surrounded by area code 323, which serves most of the rest of central Los Angeles. By area, it is one of the smallest area codes in the nation, stretching over only a few square miles.

Area code 213 was one of the three original area codes assigned to California in 1947. Initially it covered the southern third of the state from the Central Coast to the Mexican border. The numbering plan area was extended to the north in 1950, merging the southern portion of the Central Valley, including Bakersfield, from area code 415.

As a result of California's rapid expansion during the second half of the 20th century, the plan area 213 was split on numerous occasions. The first area split became necessary in 1951, when most of the southern portion, including Orange County and San Diego, was assigned area code 714. In 1957, 213 was restricted to Los Angeles County, with most of the old 213's western portion becoming area code 805. In 1984, the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley became area code 818, thus making Los Angeles one of the first major cities in the US to be split between two area codes, along with New York City which was split between 212 and 718 the same year. In 1991, West Los Angeles and the South Bay became area code 310. The 213 area code was reduced to its current size in 1998, when practically all of the old 213 territory outside of downtown became area code 323.

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