The 626 area code is a well-known telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) that serves a significant part of Los Angeles County, California. Established in the late 1990s, the 626 area code primarily covers the San Gabriel Valley region, including suburbs and communities such as Pasadena, Arcadia, El Monte, West Covina, and several others.

If you’ve ever received a phone call beginning with 626, that number typically belongs to a phone registered in this area of Southern California. Whether you’re curious about where this code is from or considering calling someone with this prefix, this article explains everything you need to know about the 626 area code.

626 Area Code – History and Origin

Before the 626 area code existed, the region it serves was part of different telephone area codes. Originally, much of Southern California was covered by the 213 area code. As the population and demand for phone numbers grew, splits were introduced to create new area codes.

On June 14, 1997, area code 626 was created in a split from area code 818 to accommodate the rising need for telephone services in the San Gabriel Valley and adjacent areas of northeastern Los Angeles County.

Since its creation, the 626  area code has remained active and essential for local phone services across the region.

626 Area Code – Where It’s Located

The 62 6 area code serves a distinct geographic region in California, United States. It covers most of the San Gabriel Valley and nearby communities in the northeastern portion of Los Angeles County.

Some of the major cities and communities included in the 62 6 area code are:

• Pasadena – one of the largest and most prominent cities in the region.

• Alhambra – part of the diverse urban landscape.

• Arcadia – a suburban city known for historical estates and parks.

• El Monte – a major residential and commercial city.

• Covina – home to vibrant neighborhoods and local businesses.

• Monrovia – an established community with a historic downtown.

• Baldwin Park – located near the eastern edge of the area code region.

• Azusa and Glendora – other notable communities in the region.

These and many other cities together form a lively area with residential neighborhoods, cultural hubs, and commercial centers.

626 Area Code – Time Zone and Dialing

The 62 6 area code falls within the Pacific Time Zone (PT), aligning with standard time conventions in California. This means that local time in the 626 area follows Pacific Standard Time (PST) in winter and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) during summer months.

In most cases, when dialing a number with the 62 6 area code from within the United States, you’ll need to dial the full 10-digit number (area code + phone number), especially for calls originating outside of the local calling area.

626 Area Code – Scams and Call Legitimacy

It’s important to know that the 62 6 area code itself is not a scam. It is a legitimate geographic area code used by millions of residents and businesses in Southern California.

However, like any phone area code, scammers can abuse it through caller ID spoofing — a tactic where fraudulent callers make their number appear as if it’s from the 626 area to trick people into answering.

Common scam tactics associated with spoofed 626 numbers include:

• “Missed delivery” messages with malicious links.

• Imposter scams posing as banks or government officials.

• “One-ring” calls designed to get you to call back premium numbers.

To avoid falling for scams, it’s best to:

• Let unfamiliar calls go to voicemail.

• Avoid clicking suspicious links from unknown numbers.

• Verify contacts through official channels when possible.

Future of the 626 Area Code

As phone number demand continues to rise, telecommunications authorities periodically assess whether new area codes or overlays are needed. Plans have been proposed to introduce an additional overlay area code in the 626 region to ensure a sufficient supply of new phone numbers once the existing supply nears exhaustion.

An overlay means that a new area code will serve the same geographic region as the existing 62 6 area code. This usually means that new phone numbers could be assigned the new code, while existing numbers stay unchanged.

Conclusion

The 626 ar ea code is an important telephone identifier for a significant portion of Los Angeles County in California. Created in 1997 to address growing demand for phone numbers, it continues to serve residents and businesses across the San Gabriel Valley and nearby communities.

Whether you’re receiving calls from it, planning to connect with someone in the area, or simply learning about U.S. area codes, the 62 6 area code plays an essential role in California’s telecommunications system. Its rich coverage area and community ties make it more than just a set of digits — it’s a key part of daily life for many people in Southern California.