Complete Guide to Area Code 213: Everything You Need to Know

The 213 area code is one of the most iconic in California. As one of the original area codes established in 1947, it has long been associated with downtown Los Angeles (LA) and its business and entertainment scene.

Whether you’re receiving calls from a 213 number, considering switching to a local LA number, or just curious about its historic significance, this guide breaks it all down.

213 area code overview: key facts

Fun Fact: 213 was the original area code for all of Southern California.

What area code is 213?

213 area code location

The 213 area code covers central Los Angeles, including downtown LA, West Hollywood, and nearby neighborhoods. It was one of the first area codes ever assigned under the North American Numbering Plan in 1947.

Today, the 213 code is commonly used in commercial districts, government offices, and high-rise residential areas at the heart of the city. It serves approximately one million residents in the LA County area.

Cities in the 213 area code

213 includes some of LA’s most recognizable cities:

• Los Angeles (downtown)
• West Hollywood
• Inglewood
• South Pasadena
• Montebello
• Monterey Park
• South Gate
• Bell
• Huntington Park
• Cudahy
• Maywood
• Commerce
• Vernon

Well-known neighborhoods

• Downtown LA – Business hub, art scene, and skyscrapers
• West Hollywood (“Weho”) – Trendy, vibrant, and LGBTQ+ friendly
• Arts District – Home to creatives, coffee shops, and converted warehouses
• Historic Core – Revitalized old LA with lofts and nightlife
• South Park – Host to major venues like Crypto.com Arena and LA Live

Local landmarks

• Walt Disney Concert Hall
• The Broad Museum
• Crypto.com Arena (shoutout Lakers)
• LA City Hall
• Grand Central Market
• USC Campus

Zip codes serviced by area code 323

Some “900” ZIP codes covered by 213 include:

90012, 90013, 90014, 90015, 90017, 90021, 90071, and 90089, which contain hot spots like downtown LA and the Arts District.

Surrounding area codes

213 time zone & business tips

• Standard time: UTC -8:00 hours
• Daylight saving time: +1:00 hour
• Current time zone offset: UTC/GMT -7:00 hours
• Time zone abbreviation: PT (Pacific Time)

The 213 area code is located in the Pacific Time Zone, which covers most of the U.S. West Coast. So when it’s noon in Los Angeles, it’s 3 p.m. in New York (ET) and 8 p.m. in London (GMT). 

California observes daylight saving time, so phones in the 213 area code switch between:

• Pacific Standard Time (PST): November to March
• Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): March to November

If you’re calling from outside California, remember LA’s time difference, especially when reaching out for business.

The history of area code 213

The history of area codes goes back to the post-WWII expansion of the telecommunications industry. The system is credited with allowing for the automation of long-distance calling and helping establish the modern framework for telecommunications today.

Area code 213 was part of the original 86 area codes created in 1947. Over time, the growing population in Southern California led to multiple area code splits and overlays.

213/323/738 area code overlay

Many major cities contain two overlapping area codes. Los Angeles is now one of the few regions in the United States that has three overlay area codes.

The latest code overlay for Los Angeles is the 738 area code. On March 16, 2023, the CPUC approved a new area code of 738 as an overlay on top of the 213/323 area code. 

Now, 213 shares its geographic area with overlays 323 and 738. This means:

• All calls within the 213/323/738 region require 10-digit dialing (area code + phone number)
  • For international calls, dial +1 213 before the seven-digit number
• Existing numbers kept their original area codes when the overlay was implemented
• New numbers may be assigned any of the three area codes
• Local call costs remain the same regardless of which area code is used

Timeline Highlights:

Why a 213 number still turns heads

Despite its age, a 213 number still carries weight. It’s often seen as a prestigious downtown LA number—associated with media, legal, entertainment, and tech firms.

Having a 213 number can lend instant credibility or familiarity with local clients and contacts. A 213 area code number can be advantageous for businesses for several reasons:

• Establishes a local presence in Los Angeles
• Builds credibility with local customers
• Potentially improves local search engine rankings
• Provides a memorable association with a prestigious downtown LA location

Someone who runs an online business could acquire a 213 number despite being based in another area code region.  Some businesses may find that it could increase inquiries from Los Angeles-based clients who prefer working with what they perceive to be a local business.

How to get a 213 phone number

You can get a 213 area code phone number for both personal and business use. 

Here are common methods for obtaining a 213 number:

1. Try a local provider: Local providers such as AT&T®, T-Mobile®, and Verizon® are the most common way to get a phone number. The setup is easy and offers dependable coverage. However, the availability of specific area codes like 646 may be limited.
2. Use a VoIP provider: Budget-conscious? Providers like Google® Voice and Grasshopper are ideal if you need flexibility or want to use your number across multiple devices. They’re cost-effective and easy to manage, but they require a Wi-Fi connection to work.
3. Explore virtual phone systems: RingCentral, OpenPhone, and other virtual systems cater to businesses or remote teams with features like call routing, team extensions, and multi-line support. These services can be more expensive.
4. Check out number brokers: Specializing in high-demand or vanity phone numbers, number brokers can be great if you’re after a specific pattern or number. Just keep in mind that this option may come with a premium price tag and possible broker fees.

For the average person, a local provider may be the way to go. If you’re a business, maybe you’ll consider a virtual phone system. Each method has trade-offs, so the right choice depends on your budget, flexibility needs, and use case.

Spotting and blocking 213 area code scams

Due to LA’s population, area code 213 is frequently targeted by scammers using spoofed numbers. California and Florida are among the top states for robocall activity.

According to the National Do Not Call Registry, California ranks #10 nationally with 290,054 complaints reported in 2024. Los Angeles County, the region that 213 serves, received over 46,000 Do Not Call complaints alone. 62% (28,998) of those flagged calls came from robocallers, while 34% (15,632) were from real people attempting to scam the person on the other line.

Red flags to watch out for

Based on DNC 2024 data, the top complaints in the 213 area were in regards to:

1. Imposters
2. Debt reduction
3. Medical & prescriptions

If you get a suspicious call from a 213 number (or any unfamiliar number), don’t give out personal information, financial details, or send money. If you’re unsure, hang up and call back using an official number from the company’s website.

Watch for these signs:

• Robocalls or automated messages
• Unsolicited debt reduction offers
• High-pressure tactics or urgent payment requests
• Offers that seem too good to be true
• Calls claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, or utility providers

If something feels off, don’t give out any information. Verify the number with a reverse phone lookup.

How to block a 213 number

Whether it’s scammers, telemarketers, or unknown callers, here’s how to stop your phone from blowing up with 213 calls.

1. Use your phone’s built-in blocking tool: Most smartphones let you block individual numbers or even silence unknown callers:

• On iPhone: Go to your Recents list, tap the info icon next to the number, and select “Block this Caller.”
• On Android: Tap the number in your call log, choose “Details,” and then “Block Number.”

Many phones also have a setting to silence unknown callers or send them straight to voicemail.

Pro tip: Check your carrier’s features. Many well-known providers offer call filtering either free of charge or for a small monthly fee.

2. Download an app for defense: Apps like Truecaller, Hiya, and RoboKiller can spot scam patterns using massive, real-time databases of known spammers. These apps often:

• Flag suspicious or spoofed calls before you answer
• Automatically block high-risk numbers
• Let you report offenders to help others

Pro tip: Many apps have free versions, but premium options offer better real-time protection and advanced features.

3. Join the National Do Not Call registry: Consider putting your number on the Do Not Call List at donotcall.gov—it won’t stop scammers, but it can cut down on legitimate telemarketing calls that have to follow the law.

4. Forward fraud to the FTC: You can report suspicious texts from 646 numbers by copying the message and forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM) to help your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future.

5. File a complaint: If a scammer keeps slipping through, submit a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov. It helps the Federal Trade Committee track and crack down on persistent offenders.

How to look up a 213 phone number

Tired of 213 spam calls? If your phone’s blowing up with unwanted calls from the 213 area code, here are three simple ways to identify who’s calling:

1. Google search: A quick search can reveal whether the 213 number contacting you is associated with a local business or organization.
2. Government databases: The FCC maintains databases of reported scam numbers.
3. Reverse phone lookup: If you’re curious about a call from a 213 area code, using a reverse phone lookup tool is one of the easiest ways to get answers. These reports can offer more comprehensive information, such as the owner's name, address, contact details, and even criminal records.

Scammers frequently change their numbers, but using these strategies together can significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive.

Need intel on a caller with a 213 area code? Run a reverse number search now to quickly gather key information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 213