What is area code 209 and where does it cover?

Area code 209 serves California’s northern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Foothills, covering major cities like Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Tracy, Manteca, Turlock, Lodi, and more. It includes portions of Yosemite National Park and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Since November 28, 2022, 209 has been overlaid by 350, and local calls require 1 + area code + number. 

How did area code 209 change over time?

• 1958: 209 was created (CPUC notes it was split from 415).

• 1997–1998: The southern part split to form 559.

• Oct 24, 2021: 209 moved to 10-digit dialing due to the national 988 lifeline, even before an overlay.

• Nov 28, 2022: 350 overlay placed in service over the same footprint. 

What are the current dialing rules for 209/350?

Local calls within the 209/350 overlay must be dialed as 1 + 10 digits (area code + number). This was already the practice in the region and continued once 350 went live. Your existing 209 number did not change. 

Which counties and cities are included in 209?

The 209/350 region covers all or parts of: Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and portions of Alameda, Alpine, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera, and Sacramento counties—encompassing cities such as Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Tracy, Turlock, Manteca, Lodi, Sonora, Oakdale, Patterson, Riverbank, Galt, Los Banos, and more. 

Why was the 350 overlay added to 209?

Regulators projected prefix exhaustion in 209. The CPUC approved an all-services overlay (350) so existing customers kept their numbers while new numbers could be assigned without geographic splits or renumbering. 

What interesting facts are tied to 209?

• National parks: 209 includes Yosemite National Park exchanges (e.g., Wawona, Yosemite Valley), a rarity among U.S. area codes. 

• 988 transition first: 209 adopted 10-digit dialing in 2021 specifically to accommodate the nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, then added the 350 overlay in 2022.