Sometimes you might receive a call and not recognize the area code.
An area code provides a broad area that telecommunication networks use to connect you to the person you’re trying to contact.
It replaced the use of human operators who would connect you to the right person because there weren’t enough operators to cover the increased number of people making phone calls.
One area code that you might notice on your phone is 818.
You may wonder what area 818 designates.
What Is 818 Area Code?
The 818 area code covers the San Fernando Valley area in Los Angeles County.
It covers a large number of famous cities.
Here are some of the cities that use the 818 area code:
- Los Angeles
- Burbank
- Canoga Park
- Encino
- Glendale
- North Hollywood
- Northridge
- Panorama City
- Reseda
- San Fernando
- Sylmar
- Tarzana
- Van Nuys
- Woodland Hills
As such, if you receive a call using an 818 area code, there’s a chance that it might come from one of those cities.
If you have friends or relatives living in any of these cities, the number could belong to them.
The same goes for expected business calls or job offers.
The San Fernando Valley is home to several million people.
One of the reasons the area is so populous is that it’s a major entertainment and tourism hub.
In regards to entertainment, it’s the area where a lot of major companies have their headquarters or studios.
Companies like Walt Disney, ABC, CBS, Universal, and even Warner Brothers have studios there.
There are also two major airports in the area.
The Bob Hope Airport and the Van Nuys Airport make it easy for tourists to arrive at the heart of entertainment.
Because there are so many businesses in the area, there are also many homes in the area, too.
All those buildings and homes use the 818 area code.
That said, because the area spans such a large population, the telecommunications industry added another area code to help make contacting that particular area a bit easier.
That’s why you’ll find that some phones will have the 818 area code and others will have the 747 area code despite both being in the San Fernando Valley.
If you receive a call from the 818 area, it’s coming from the San Fernando Valley.
Why Might Someone From The 818 Area Code Be Calling You?
If you’re receiving calls from an 818 area code, you may wonder why someone in the San Fernando Valley is calling you.
Here are a few reasons why you might be receiving a call from an 818 number.
1. Entertainment Work
If you applied to work at one of the major entertainment studios in the San Fernando Valley, it might be an exciting thing to see the 818 area code calling you.
This area is home to several movie studios.
There’s a chance that might be calling you because they have an interest in working with you.
For example, if you sent in an audition, they might want to fly you down for another audition.
There are other entertainment-related businesses in the area, too.
Businesses that help movie studios bring their visions to life are there.
There’s no shortage of production, editing, and other services there that help the movie studios.
If you applied to work at any of them, they might be calling you, too.
If you’re trying to start your movie career, receiving a call with the 818 area code could be the beginning of that career.
2. Travel
Another major reason why you might be receiving a call from an 818 area code is due to travel.
Because there are two major airports in the area, if you’re planning to visit the San Fernando Valley, the call could be from one of those two airports.
They might be calling to confirm your plane and ticket information.
They might also be calling because of a problem with your purchase.
For example, if the plane is down for repairs, they might call you to inform you of what’s going to happen instead.
If you lost a bag on your flight, they might be calling you to inform you that they found the bag.
If you recently traveled to the San Fernando Valley or plan to do so, you might receive a call from an airport with an 818 area code.
3. Scams
An unfortunate reason that you might be receiving a call from an 818 number is that someone is attempting to scam you.
There have been some cases of people reporting scam calls that used an 818 number.
Part of the reason they might use an 818 area code is because of just how many people have an 818 area code in their phone numbers.
The fact that it covers such a large population means it’s a bit easier for scammers to hide within the population.
When answering the phone with an 818 area code, it’s a good idea to keep private information to a minimum.
If they ask you for personal details, and especially for credit card information, the best thing you can do is hang up and report the call.
Even if they have your name, it’s best to treat unknown and unexpected calls from 818 with some suspicion.
Otherwise, you might be a victim of identity theft.
What State Uses An 818 Area Code?
The 818 area code is in the state of California.
California has 38 area codes within it.
Due to California’s large size, it sometimes has to split its area codes using the overlay method provided by the Federal Communications Commission.
When the population becomes too large in a geographical area, there’s a risk that there won’t be enough numbers to go around.
As such, the FCC develops a new area code for the area to use.
This is what happened with the 818 area.
Its population skyrocketed.
To ensure everyone had access to a private number, the FCC implemented a new area code, 747, despite the area still existing in the San Fernando Valley.
That said, if you receive a call from someone using the 818 area code, you know they’re calling from California.
What Time Zone Is 818 Area Code In?
Because the 818 area code is in California, which uses the Pacific time zone, the 818 area code also uses the Pacific time zone.
If you use the Eastern time zone, the Pacific time zone is three hours behind you.
For example, if it’s noon where you are, it’s 9 AM in California.
If it’s 6 PM where you are, it’s 3 PM in California.
This is also important to know when you receive a call from an 818 number.
It may seem as though it’s coming at a strange time, but if you live in a place that is three hours ahead of them, that’s likely why.
It may be normal business hours for them, but it’s dinner time for you.
It’s also worth keeping that in mind when you plan on calling an 818 number.
If you call at nine in the morning Eastern time, you’re calling them at six in the morning.
They might not be awake.
It’s worth knowing what time zone an area code uses to ensure you’re calling at the best time.
Conclusion
The 818 area code is within the state of California.
It’s centered in the San Fernando Valley and covers several cities within it.
Because it’s in California, the 818 area code also uses the Pacific time zone.
