The area code 442 was formed after an overlay from area code 760. 760 was the telephone number used in California and it was a split from area code 619. The 442 covers the southeast and southernmost parts of California.
History:
In 1982, the 760 area code was split from area code 619. Due to development in these areas and the use of more technology, there was a shortage of an area code number in south California. So the plan was to split the number again but there was a conflict that businessmen and other organizations don’t want to change their number again in the same decade. Keeping this conflict in consideration, the California public utility commission announced that there would be an overlay of 760 in the form of 442 in 2009. So, it was decided and since then users are dialing an area code before calling any region of southern California.
Location:
The area code 442 serves the state of California and the major city covering this area code is Ocean city.
Timezone:
Pacific time zone is the timezone for this area code. And the Pacific time zone can also be called the America/ Los Angeles time zone.

8 Countries included in the area code
COUNTRY | TOTAL POPULATION | % OF 442 | % OF COUNTRY |
San Bernardino | 2,035,210 | 41% | 94% |
San Diego | 3,095,313 | 6% | 59% |
Riverside | 2,189,641 | 11% | 71% |
Kern | 839.631 | 4% | 24% |
Imperial | 174.528 | 9% | 100% |
Tulare | 442.179 | 1% | 13% |
Inyo | 18.546 | 23% | 100% |
Mono | 14.202 | 4% | 60% |
50 Cities included in area code
COUNTRY | TOTAL POPULATION | % OF 442 | % OF COUNTRY |
Oceanside | 167086 | 1% | 100% |
Escondido | 143911 | 0% | 100% |
Victorville | 115903 | 0% | 100% |
Carlsbad | 105328 | 0% | 100% |
Vista | 93834 | 0% | 100% |
Hesperia | 90173 | 0% | 100% |
San Marcos | 83781 | 0% | 100% |
Indio | 76036 | 0% | 100% |
Apple valley | 69135 | 0% | 100% |
Encinitas | 59518 | 0% | 100% |
Cathedral city | 51200 | 0% | 100% |
Palm desert | 48445 | 0% | 100% |
Palm springs | 44552 | 0% | 100% |
El Centro | 42598 | 0% | 100% |
Coachella | 40704 | 0% | 100% |
Calexico | 38572 | 0% | 100% |
La Quinta | 37467 | 0% | 100% |
Adelanto | 31765 | 0% | 100% |
Fallbrook | 30535 | 0% | 100% |
Ridgecrest | 27616 | 1% | 100% |
Desert hot springs | 25048 | 0% | 100% |
Twentynine palms | 24953 | 0% | 100% |
Brawley | 22639 | 0% | 100% |
Barstow | 20817 | 0% | 100% |
Blythe | 20700 | 0% | 100% |
Yucca valley | 20292 | 0% | 100% |
Ramona | 17218 | 0% | 100% |
Rancho mirage | 14758 | 0% | 100% |
Imperial Phelan | 14304 | 0% | 100% |
California city | 14120 | 0% | 100% |
Camp Pendleton south | 10616 | 0% | 100% |
San Diego country estates | 10109 | 0% | 100% |
Valley center | 9277 | 0% | 100% |
Oak hills | 8879 | 0% | 100% |
Fort Irwin | 8845 | 0% | 100% |
Mecca | 8577 | 0% | 100% |
Spring valley lake | 8220 | 0% | 100% |
Thousand palms | 7715 | 0% | 100% |
Calipatria | 7505 | 0% | 100% |
Gamet | 7543 | 0% | 100% |
Joshua tree | 7414 | 0% | 100% |
Bermuda dunes | 7282 | 0% | 100% |
PI | 7272 | 0% | 100% |
Desert palms | 6957 | 0% | 100% |
Oasis | 6890 | 0% | 100% |
Holtville | 5939 | 0% | 100% |
Lucerne valley | 5811 | 0% | 100% |
Silver lakes | 5623 | 0% | 100% |
Camp Pendleton north | 5200 | 0% | 100% |
Frequently asked questions:
What is area code 442 and what location is it coming from?
The area code 442 was formed after an overlay from area code 760. 760 was the telephone number used in California and it was a split from area code 619. The 442 covers the southeast and southernmost parts of California. It serves the state of California and the major city covering this area code is ocean city.
Is area code 442 a scam?
No, it is not a scam. But scammers are everywhere and they can call from anywhere and anytime. They can call as a customer service person and might ask for your personal information. So if you find it suspicious immediately cut the call and block the number.
What timezone is area code 442?
Pacific time zone is the timezone for this area code. And the Pacific time zone can also be called the America/ Los Angeles time zone.
Conclusion:
442 was formed after an overlay from area code 760. Area code 760 was the telephone number used in California and it was split from area code 619. The 442 covers the southeast and southernmost parts of California.
It serves the state of California and the major city covering this area code is ocean city.
Pacific time zone is the time zone for this area code. And the Pacific time zone can also be called the America/ Los Angeles time zone. For more, you may also read: 408 area code