June 2 marks the start of changes when dialing 805 and 820
Start dialing “805” when you call locally. To meet demand in the geographic region served by the 805 area code, the California Public Utilities Commission enacted an area code overlay, bringing 820 out of the shadows where it sat since 1957.
Area codes 805 and 820 originally split from the 213 in 1957. After 60 years of crafting the 805 lifestyle, we will now need to get used to its sibling moving back home, the 820.
Starting on Saturday, June 2, residents of the 805 will need to dial 1 + area code + telephone number in advance of the introduction of 820. Emergency numbers, such as 911, will not be affected.
The 805 area code has served to unite San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, affectionately dubbed our Central Coast. But the 805 has a further reach than that … serving U.S. military facilities in Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands with a Paso Robles prefix — 805-355-XXXX, 4,800 miles away. That
arrangement originated because the first U.S. Army satellite communication station was built at Camp Roberts.
So just remember to start using your area code, and be proud of your heritage … the original 805 … and welcome our new friends to the 820.
