Quick answer
The 738 area code serves Los Angeles, California in the Pacific Time (PT) (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST). Assigned in 2024, it covers Central Los Angeles including Los Angeles, Bell, Huntington Park. Overlay codes: 213, 323.
- Region
- Central Los Angeles, CA
- Time zone
- PT (UTC-8)
- Assigned
- 2024
- Population
- ~4,000,000
- Local time now
- · live
What is the area code for Los Angeles?
The area code for Los Angeles, California is 738, with overlay codes 213, 323 sharing the same geographic footprint. The 738 area code is a North American Numbering Plan geographic code assigned in 2024, covering the Central Los Angeles region. It serves approximately 4,000,000 residents on the Pacific Time (PT) (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST).
All Los Angeles area codes
Los Angeles is served by 3 area codes across the metro area. 738 is the 2024 addition; the others were added as overlays or for surrounding suburbs.
Cities served by the 738 area code
The 738 area code covers 5 major cities and towns across the Central Los Angeles region (CA):
Businesses across Los Angeles and surrounding cities use 738 numbers to project local presence and lift call answer rates. Industry studies of local presence dialing consistently report answer-rate gains of 20–40% over toll-free or out-of-area numbers — a caller ID that matches the recipient's region looks familiar and gets picked up.
738 area code time zone and business hours
The 738 area code is in the Pacific Time (PT) zone (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST). Standard business hours in 738 run 9 AM to 5 PM PT.
If you're calling into 738 from a different time zone, factor in the offset. For example, an Eastern Time business calling 738 at 9 AM ET reaches Los Angeles at 6 AM PT — likely outside standard business hours.
History of the 738 area code
The 738 area code was introduced in 2024 when the North American Numbering Plan was first deployed. As Los Angeles grew and number demand increased, overlay codes 213, 323 were added to serve the same geographic region — a common solution that avoids forcing existing subscribers to change their numbers.
Is the 738 area code safe? Spam and scam calls
738 is a legitimate geographic area code for Los Angeles — it is not a scam code or a premium-rate prefix, and a call from a 738 number is most likely a genuine local caller. The risk is not the area code itself but a tactic called neighbor spoofing: scammers fake their caller ID so an unwanted call appears to come from your own area code, because people answer familiar numbers more readily.
If you get an unexpected 738 call, a few signals point to a likely scam — a pre-recorded message, urgent pressure to act now, a demand for payment by gift card or wire transfer, or anyone asking for passwords, Social Security, or account numbers. Let suspicious calls go to voicemail, never share personal information, and report fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FCC consumer guide on spoofing explains your rights under the Truth in Caller ID Act. A real Los Angeles business will leave a clear voicemail and will not pressure you.
US carriers verify caller ID with the STIR/SHAKEN framework, which flags many spoofed numbers as "Spam Likely" before they ring. DialPhone 738 numbers are registered for STIR/SHAKEN attestation, so calls from your business are verified as genuine and reach customers without a false spam label. See the DialPhone guide to VoIP security for more.
Why get a 738 area code number for your business?
Getting a 738 number gives your business three measurable advantages over a toll-free or out-of-area number:
- Local trust signal. Customers in Los Angeles recognize 738 as their home area code. Caller ID matching builds immediate credibility for service businesses, sales outreach, and patient communication.
- Higher answer rate. Calls from a familiar local area code are answered far more often than unknown or toll-free numbers — industry measurements of local presence dialing put the lift at 20–40%, which matters most for outbound sales, appointment confirmations, and time-sensitive service callbacks.
- Targeted marketing. Businesses serving Los Angeles and the broader Central Los Angeles can advertise a local number across print, radio, billboards, and digital channels for higher conversion than a national 800 number.
For businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding cities, top industries that benefit from local 738 presence include Tech, Entertainment, and Healthcare. DialPhone's AI receptionist is available for every 738 number — never miss a call, even after standard business hours.
How to get a 738 area code number
Setting up a 738 business number with DialPhone takes under 10 minutes:
- Sign up for a DialPhone plan. Choose any plan starting at $24/user/month. Free 14-day trial, no credit card required.
- Search available 738 numbers. Filter the DialPhone number inventory by area code, city, or pattern.
- Choose your number and configure. Assign your new 738 number to a user or team, set up call routing, voicemail, AI receptionist, and business SMS.
- Port your existing number (optional). Already have a 738 number? Free number porting in 2 to 5 business days with zero service interruption.
New to local numbers? The complete guide to getting a local phone number covers choosing the right area code, porting an existing line, and avoiding spam flags.
738 area code overlay codes
The Central Los Angeles region is served by multiple overlay area codes:
| Area Code | Coverage |
|---|---|
| 738 | Primary area code for Central Los Angeles, assigned 2024 |
| 213 | Overlay — same geography (assigned 1947) |
| 323 | Overlay — same geography (assigned 1998) |
All overlay codes serve the same Los Angeles region. New subscribers may be assigned any available code; existing numbers retain their original prefix.
AI receptionist for 738 area code businesses
Every DialPhone 738 number includes optional AI receptionist coverage, available 24/7. The AI handles calls when your team is unavailable — answering common questions, booking appointments, routing urgent callers to on-call staff, and capturing voicemail with full transcription and intent tagging.
For businesses in Los Angeles that handle high call volume, run extended hours, or need bilingual support (especially valuable in multilingual metros like Los Angeles), the AI receptionist reduces voicemail backlog and improves first-call resolution.
All area codes in California
California has 38 active geographic area codes. The 738 area code is part of the same numbering plan as the codes listed below — calls between them are typically local within the state, depending on the carrier.
Nearby area codes
Related area codes in California and the Pacific Time (PT) region:
- 209 area code — Stockton, California
- 213 area code — Los Angeles, California
- 279 area code — Sacramento, California
- 310 area code — Los Angeles, California
- 323 area code — Los Angeles, California
- 341 area code — Oakland, California
All California area codes → · Browse all US area codes →
More area codes: ← 737 Austin · 740 Newark →
How We Tested
DialPhone re-verifies every area code page every 90 days. Area code geography, timezone, and overlay data come from the official North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) database. Pricing reflects the published DialPhone plan tiers — see the pricing page for current details. Number availability varies; check the DialPhone signup flow for live inventory in the 738 region.
What We Don't Like
- Number availability is finite. Popular Los Angeles area codes can be inventory-constrained — request specific vanity patterns early.
- Porting timing varies. Most 738 ports complete in 2-5 business days; complex multi-line legacy contracts can take 7-10.
- HIPAA tier required for healthcare. The Core $24 plan doesn't include a BAA — healthcare users need Advanced ($34) or above.